Toolkit: Welcoming Members
Background
Our local community is unique and has a degree of transience from the nearby military base, federal workforce, and immigrants coming or going. This means that for the past several years it’s become common for us to welcome 50-100 members each year and it has forced us to think carefully about our process for welcoming members and integrating them with the church. Here is some of what we’ve learned.
Key Passage
Ephesians 4:[4] There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—[5] one Lord, one faith, one baptism, [6] one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. [7] But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. (ESV)
Statement of Faith
Sovereign Grace Statement of Faith: “As an expression of Christ’s universal church, the local church is the focal point of God’s plan to mature his people and save sinners.[10] Therefore, all Christians are to join themselves as committed members to a specific local church.[11] A true church is marked by the faithful preaching of the Word,[12] the right administration of the sacraments,[13] and the proper exercise of church discipline.[14] Even true churches are imperfect: they often contain a mixture of unbelievers hidden among the true flock[15] and are vulnerable to theological error and moral failure.[16] Yet Christ is unwavering in his commitment to build his church and will surely bring it to maturity.[17]” –12. The Church of Christ, The Local Church
5 Practical Helps
1. Your membership class is one of the most important things your church does: In thinking about our membership welcome we realized that the way we launch people into membership is like the way they will continue. While many parts of the church require our attention one of the most important is how we welcome and integrate new members.
Each new member absorbs your church culture and contributes to it
Each member of a previous church brings their own understanding of membership and theology that may or may not align with ours
Each conversation with a pastor is not one among many, but may be one of a handful that shapes the way they think about the church
Each membership welcome Sunday reminds the existing church of how we think about membership
2. Use your membership class to integrate not merely inform: A few years ago we realized that the work of teaching our theology and values sometimes meant the relational aspect of membership was getting lost. We didn’t merely want people to be informed about our beliefs, we wanted them to become part of the church and that means relationship. So we changed the format of our class and after teaching some we then broke down into small groups led by pastors or leaders in the church. For example, after our teaching on the gospel and discipleship we asked people to share their testimony. We were amazed at how quickly people got relationally connected through that. We continued this pattern for all three weeks of membership class and also found that people were also more ready and excited to join small groups, having seen the value of relationships in the church.
3. Welcome with consistency on Sundays: Having a set pattern of welcoming members, even similar comments and language, can provide a consistent definition of what membership means. While each elder has their own comments when they welcome members, we read the same Scripture passage and give the same key bullet points.
In our context we have a significant number of transient members from the military, university, and federal agencies. This helps us make sure that as people come into the church they are welcomed the same way, we emphasize the same principles each time, and over time the whole church has the same understanding of membership.
4. Recite something together: When members are welcomed, consider reciting a Scripture passage or a historic creed together. We recite the gospel section of our SGC Statement of Faith. It drives home the unity of the body together. We know of other churches that recite their whole membership agreement, or a historic creed. More than once I’ve been deeply moved hearing the whole church’s voice ring out together as we recite together.
5. Give a meaningful gift: A small but meaningful gift such as a study Bible and handwritten note from the pastors is a wonderful expression of care. While many of our elders do membership interviews we try to make sure that the person that did the final membership interview is the same person that writes a note in their Bible. Also, what particular gift you give out is a place to emphasize your values. Our area of El Paso, TX is a religious area but not one where many people read the Bible for themselves. That’s something we want to emphasize, then, through the gift of a study Bible.
Additionally, in our context we have a large number of military families and law enforcement agency employees. In that context, challenge coins often mark major events such as the completion of a training course. So at our church we give out challenge coins to new members that bear an emblem of our church on the front and a reminder of our mission on the back.
6. Be mindful of non-members: Paul assumes there will be people not part of the church, or even Christians, when we gather (see 1 Cor 14) so working hard to make sure we explain any unfamiliar terms, and explain membership briefly, is key. A few years ago we realized as a pastoral team that while our membership introductions were heartfelt, they were often full of language unfamiliar to those not part of our church, so we have made efforts to correct that.
Additionally, one of the recent trends in American church culture has been the great number of “de-churched” people and we try to take the opportunity to speak to that whenever we speak about membership. We live in an age where we cannot assume Christians understand why church membership is important and what it would mean.
Some Favorite Quotes
Spurgeon: “I know there are some who say, “Well, I’ve given myself to the Lord, but I don’t intend to give myself to any church.” I say, “Now why not?” And they answer, “Because I can be just as good a Christian without it.” I say, “Are you quite clear about that? You can be as good a Christian by disobedience to your Lord’s commands as by being obedient? There’s a brick. What is the brick made for? It’s made to build a house. It is of no use for the brick to tell you that it’s just as good a brick while it’s kicking about on the ground by itself, as it would be as part of a house. Actually, it’s a good-for-nothing brick. So, you rolling stone Christians, I don’t believe that you’re answering the purpose for which Christ saved you. You’re living contrary to the life which Christ would have you live and you are much to blame for the injury you do.” - Spurgeon
Cyprian: “He can no longer have God for his Father, who has not the Church for his mother.” — Cyprian, Treatise on the Unity of the Church, 6.
Attachment
Membership Sunday Script
Membership Class: Introduction, Week 1, Week 2, Week 3
Appendices: Theological Distinctives, Church Governance
