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Information for New Members
We ask you to commit yourself to Living Waters for four reasons:
• Christ is committed to the church.
"Christ loved the church, and He gave His life for it" - Ephesians 5:25
• It is an antidote to society.
We live in an age where very few want to be committed to anything - a job - a marriage - our country. This attitude has even produced a generation of "church shoppers and hoppers." Commitment builds character.
• It defines who can be counted on.
Every team must have a roster. Every school must have an enrollment. Every business has a payroll. Every army has an enlistment. Even our country takes a census and requires voter registration. Membership identifies our family.
• It produces spiritual growth.
The New Testament places a major emphasis on the need for Christians to be accountable to each other for spiritual growth. You cannot be accountable when you're not committed to any specific church family.
What is expected of me as a member?
At Living Waters, we never ask our members to do more than the Bible clearly teaches. We only expect our members to do what the Bible expects every Christian to do. These responsibilities are spelled out in this Membership Covenant.
MEMBERSHIP COVENANT
Having received Christ as my Lord and Savior and been baptized, and being in agreement with Living Waters' Christian Church statements of Fundamental Truths, Ordinances and Practices, I now feel led by the Holy Spirit to unite with the Living Waters Church family. In doing so, I commit myself to God and to the other members to do the following:
Protect the unity of my Church
- By acting in love toward other members
- By refusing to gossip
- By following the leader
Share the responsibility of my church
- By praying for its growth
- Inviting the un-churched to attend
- By warmly welcoming those who visit
Serve the ministry of my church
- By discovering my gifts and talents
- By being equipped to serve by my pastors
- By developing a servant's heart
Support the testimony of my church
- By attending faithfully
- By living a Godly life
- By giving regularly
Church Participation
We encourage all of our members to be full participants in the life of fellowship and to support all the meetings. This is because each meeting plays an important part in our lives. (Hebrews 10:25)
Our Commitment to New Members
• Instruction
"I commit myself to teach and feed you the pure word of God." John 21:16
• Correction
In the same regard, we are committed to counsel you, should you ever drift from the truth as it is in Jesus. The Bible directs leadership to firmly correct with patience all who are not walking according to God's Word (2 Timothy 4:2). We are committed in love to doing everything possible to keep you in obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ.
• Intercession
We commit ourselves to pray for you. The Bible says we are to "oversee the flock" and to "watch for your souls" (1 Peter 5:2; Hebrews 13:17) We will support you with our prayers.
• Protection
We commit ourselves to stand by you in any time of need, burden or personal crisis. You are never alone; let us know when such need occurs.
• Devotion
We commit ourselves to love you: Jesus said "by this will all men know that you are my disciples" John 13:34. Should you ever feel you have been hurt, overlooked or not understood, you will know that it was not something we meant to do. We will never do anything to wrong you in any way. Our total commitment is to love, and serve, and help you become the person God created you to be.
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