Membership at Grace Church of Orland

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Church membership is a process that formalizes the Christian’s commitment to a particular congregation. New members are officially received after filling out a brief application and meeting with the leadership. Usually only members are permitted to vote and serve in public ministries.

We practice formal membership at Grace Church of Orland for the following biblical reasons:

1. Shared commitment defines the local church. The following passage implies that churches are formed by Christians agreeing to function as a church under the lordship of Christ. Therefore, new members are added by entering into this commitment, and this demands some sort of membership process by which that commitment is articulated.

Matthew 18:19 “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. 20 For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”

2. The local church must also be visibly distinct from the world. Paul's instructions in 1 Corinthians 5 assume that churches maintain a distinction between members and non-members.

1 Corinthians 5:12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Are you not to judge those who are within the church? 13 But those who are outside, God will judge.

3. The local church must have defined pastoral relationships. The following passages assume that Christians submit themselves to the authority of a particular group of elders in a particular local church, and these relationships must be established through mutual agreement.

Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them—for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account—so that they will do this with joy and not with groaning, for this would be unprofitable for you.

1 Peter 5:1 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, overseeing not under compulsion, but willingly, according to God; and not for dishonest gain, but with eagerness; 3 nor yet as lording it over those allotted to you, but being examples to the flock.

We encourage everyone who considers Grace Church of Orland their home church to apply for membership. Here is what the process involves:

1. Read our Statement of Faith.

2. Read our bylaws (link below). There is a lot of legal jargon in this document, but please at least peruse Articles 1–7.

3. Read our Membership Covenant (link below).

4. Fill out the application.

5. We will reach out shortly to schedule a brief meeting.

Please reach out to Pastor Tommy with any questions: tommy@graceorland.org.