Church Membership is Important!

(Regardless of what the devil says)

The House of God is regarded as a hospital; i.e., an institution to aid in bringing forth restoration of life to a better quality. God utilizes and blesses through the compassionate hands of the caretakers of whom the sick ones have been placed. In a hospital, not all individuals are sick; neither are all of them whole. However, the medical professionals are present to nurture the sick.

Jesus said in Matt. 9:12b “…They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick …for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Paul declared in Romans 15:1 that “we then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” We have a joint mission as members of the Church. We grow together. The stronger extends a helping hand to aid the weaker as we all continue to look to Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith.

The Church body gathers strength from one another. Church membership is a definite profession of faith and a personal connection with the crucified and risen Savior. We take His yoke upon us and learn of Him for His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

Church membership within itself does not mean that one has it all together. However, it does mean that one has taken a positive step to connect to the Body of Christ whereby learning and conformity will mold the spirit man to perfection in Christ through His grace and mercy.

Active membership is based on Church support. As with membership with other types of organizations, you are considered an active member as a result of your regular financial support and physical presence. We urge the use of tithe and offering envelopes when giving, so that we can maintain a record of your contributions for tax purposes and a means to keep you on the active membership roll.

When going on vacation or absent from regular worship services, please remember that the needs of the ministry are ongoing and we need your help. Your gift is vital as a part of the whole at all times.

The Worship Center is a seed/tithing church and extends an arm of assistance to the needy as well as to other ministries. Consequently, God continues to multiply the seeds that we sow corporately.

Member Expectations

The greater part of this manual deals with the goals and aspirations of the Church, as well as what we believe (the Word of God). However, another very important part must be included. This part is what the Church expects from you as a member. The following guidelines deal with that subject. As a former President of the United States stated, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” The Church statement to you is, “Ask not what your Church can do for you, but what you can do for your Church. In addition, what can you do for the advancement of the Word of God in the constant outreach to others? There are lost souls with desperate needs for a helping hand to lead them to Christ. This is part of your assignment here, also.”

I.Loyalty

Do not allow anyone nor anything tear down your Church family and the relationship that you have here. Just as you will not allow outsiders to destroy your natural family, it is also your responsibility to protect your spiritual family. If someone comes to you with a pile of garbage (gossip), trying to dump it onto you, BEWARE! This is designed to tear down your Church family and/or try to cause you to lose faith in a brother or sister. Always know that the devil is behind the plot. Do not allow them to dump it onto you, but rather show them where to dump that garbage which is right on the altar. Ask them to join in with you in prayer as you pray for the situation. You can be assured that’s the last thing the devil wants to do is to pray. Therefore, you will have victory over that scheme.

2. Support

Just as the Church will be there for you to aid in whatever way possible to bless you, the same is expected from you. Your support is needed primarily in three areas: Sharing your time – (Be available to assist in whatever ways possible in the maintenance of the church buildings being clean and well kept; and being supportive in whatever ways possible for the church structures to be remodeled and/or added to in order for The Worship Center to remain an ideal environment conducive to learning and growing both spiritually and physically.) This ministry is not just for us but for others that the Lord will call, as well as our future generations that so desperately need direction and salvation. Sharing your talent – whatever God has blessed you with, no matter how small and insignificant you may think it is, we encourage you to use it to the best of your ability. Make known what your talent is so that it can be incorporated into the body of the Church. You might say that you do not have a special talent, but God has blessed you with something even if it is nothing but the gift of helps. Share it! The third and final area of support is that of sharing your treasure – be willing and eager, first of all, to give God the part of your gross income that belongs to Him – the first 10%. After which, bring forth an offering unto the Lord which also gives Him seed to multiply for your benefit – to increase you.

3. Growth

In order to remain healthy, there has to be growth. In the natural as well as the spiritual, if there is no growth, there is stagnation and/or death. We expect you to prosper (financially), be in health (physically), even as your soul prospers (spiritually). This is also the expectation through God’s Word (3 John 2). When you do as He commands with tithes & offerings, He will rebuke the devourer for your sake. Therefore, you will prosper financially. When you nurture this body using temperance in all things, not allowing any filthy habits of the flesh to devour you, and learn how to control the lust of the flesh through Bible study, you will prosper with physical health. When you eat the Word properly and consistently, your soul will prosper spiritually. In addition, it is a necessity to pray and develop an intimate devotional relationship with the Lord.

The food will be prepared for you here, but it will be left up to you to come to the table and receive it. God wants us to be fat in Him.

Growth will also be enhanced through the Home Cell Groups. We encourage you to faithfully attend and support your assigned Cell Group because through these groups your individual needs will be met, both spiritually and physically.

We look forward to growing up together with you. This is God’s will concerning us. Always know that there are higher heights and deeper depths in Him. Therefore, we are ever learning and ever growing in His grace as His dear children, helping one another.

With God’s help, I accept this challenge in Jesus’ Name!