Church Membership

We thank God for every individual who comes to church.  Whether you are a formal member or not, if you are a follower of Christ and participate in the life and ministries of the church, you are part of the Church already.  That being said, there is still a place for individuals to formally join the membership of a church. This is not about one church being better than another church. It is about an individual who is working within a context of a local church body making a commitment to serve in that church.  See Why Membership Matters (by Rob Prince).

Why is this important?  Because Christians were never meant to live out their faith isolated from each other.  Together, we form a community (or, as the Bible puts it - we become the body of Christ).  Formally joining a church expresses a serious willingness and commitment to walk faithfully in the company of other believers with all the benefits and responsibilities that go with such a relationship.

Together we can usually accomplish more than we can as individuals. By giving financially, volunteering personally, and committing wholeheartedly to a shared vision, church members can, with the help of the Holy Spirit, bring encouragement to others within the church and lasting change to many outside the church. Along with sharing the gospel, a denominational church can be a dramatic means of transformation in society, locally and internationally.
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Additionally, as members, we are not just a collection of people who come together once a week; we are a recognized society under territorial laws, and a registered charity under federal laws. What that means is that we can’t and we don’t do things on a whim; we have requirements for accountability, as well as order and procedures. This is all possible because of membership.

Not only is the church, as a whole, held accountable through membership; but individuals also benefit from accountability.  We all know that it is easy to stray off the right path, no matter how good our intentions. Being a committed member of a local church means submitting to the input of other members for improvement. Without the commitment membership brings, such input would be missed.

We do hope you would consider membership.  We would love to include you.  Again, if you missed it, take a look at "Why Membership Matters" by Rob Prince.  He has some good insight.
What we Believe
These are the beliefs Nazarenes hold to be true. They are common to Christians world-wide:
  1. We believe in one God who has expressed himself in personal ways. We know God's personality as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
  2. We believe the Bible communicates God's saving message and is our reliable authority in all matters related to faith and Christian living.
  3. We believe that all humankind struggles with a downward pull to sin.
  4. We believe that unless we experience God's help and salvation through a faith commitment to Jesus Christ, our future is one of eternal separation from God.
  5. We believe the love and grace of God is extended to every person in the provision Jesus Christ made in his death and resurrection. By turning from our own selfishness and trusting Jesus Christ, we experience a new life, being freed from the old patterns of self-destructive acts called sin.
  6. We believe our new life in Jesus Christ is the gateway to transformation. Following our moment of faith in Jesus, we believe there is another moment in which we present our life completely to Christ in order to live under his authority and to experience his transforming power.
  7. We believe that Christian experience is more than a change of mind. It is accompanied by assurance that is grounded in both the Scriptures as well as the inner witness of God's Spirit.
  8. We believe that all who live for Jesus Christ have an eternal future. Our belief in such a future includes both the fulfillment of God's creative purpose as well as the accountability of all persons endowed with the power of choice.
How Can I Become a Member?
To take the next step towards membership please speak to the Pastor.  He will give you further information to review.   In the meantime, you can check these links:
​The pastor will be glad to meet with you to answer your questions.  Once you are ready there will be a short ceremony during a church service where you will be asked to confirm your faith in Christ and your agreement to participate in the life and ministry of the local church.
​To all who need comfort
To all who want friendship
To those who desire acceptance
To all who want sheltering love;
To those who sin and need a Saviour
And whosoever will come
This Church opens wide its doors
And in the Name of our Lord says
WELCOME!
Conclusion
Living out a commitment to a local church involves many responsibilities: exemplifying a godly lifestyle in the community, exercising one’s spiritual gifts in diligent service, contributing financially to the work of the ministry, giving and receiving admonishment with meekness and in love, and faithfully participating in corporate worship. Much is expected, but much is at stake. For only when every believer is faithful to this kind of commitment is the church able to live up to her calling as Christ’s representative here on earth. To put it simply, membership matters.

If you are interested in church membership or have any questions, please submit the short form below.

    Church Membership

    I have questions about, or am interested in discussing church membership with the pastor.  Please contact me regarding membership.
Other Links of Interest

2017 Quadrennial Address of the General Superintendents

Why do we even need a "Covenant of Christian Conduct"?

One Nazarene leader (Dan Boone) states, "I do not believe the Christian life is best defined as everyone doing what they feel free to do. There is validity in the collective wisdom of other believers. We just need to share it as a an expression of love rather than a desire to control."

​From the 2017-2021 Church of the Nazarene Manual

​107
Full Membership. The full membership of the local church shall be composed of all persons who have been organized into a local church by those authorized so to do, and all who have been publicly received by the pastor, the district superintendent, or the general superintendent, after having declared their experience of salvation, and their belief in the doctrines of the Church of the Nazarene, and their willingness to submit to its government. The local church leadership shall seek to place every member into a ministry of service and a circle of care and support. (23, 107.2, 111, 113.1, 516.1, 520, 532.8, 538.8–538.9)
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107.1
When persons desire to unite with the church, the pastor shall explain to them the privileges and responsibilities of membership in the church, the Articles of Faith, the requirements of the Covenant of Christian Character and the Covenant of Christian Conduct, and the purpose and mission of the Church of the Nazarene. After consulting with the Evangelism and Church Membership Committee, the pastor shall receive qualified candidates into the membership of the church in a public service, using the approved form for the reception of members. (21, 28–33, 110–110.4, 228, 704)