What is Church Membership?

Church membership is the committed joining of believers into a local body to obey Jesus by serving and participating in the church’s shared mission. The church actively equips its members, recognizing them as a priesthood of believers gifted and empowered by the Holy Spirit to lead and serve in ministry.

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Membership reflects a relational connection among believers, demonstrating the work of Jesus Christ in their lives. In essence, it is a living proclamation of the gospel through how we relate to and support one another. The church functions as a unified family, and membership expresses both identity and mission. At New City, our purpose is to glorify God by making disciples who transform the world around them. Together, we pursue and fulfill the Great Commission, serving as the hands and feet of Jesus.

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“Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” - Romans 12:4-5

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As Christians, we belong to God’s household (Ephesians 2:19), called to serve and minister in specific ways within the body of Christ. Just as a healthy body requires each part to function properly, a healthy church depends on members who are sacrificially committed and well-equipped to carry out the good works God has prepared for them (Ephesians 2:10; 4:12). At New City, we value our members deeply and encourage them to live as missionaries of the gospel to our community. God, in His sovereignty, has placed us here—in Alma/Bacon County, in this time and place—for a purpose (Acts 17:26-27).

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Being a member of New City Church means being part of a family united by our identity in Christ. This unity is expressed through our collective commitment to love God, love one another, and love those outside the faith. Members enter into a covenant with the local church, accepting a higher level of responsibility and service. Similarly, the leaders of the church commit to caring for the congregation through prayer, leadership, teaching, service, and guidance, while also being held accountable to one another and the church body.

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Why should Christians join a church?

• Salvation brings new life within the community of the Holy Spirit.

• Following Jesus means living in relationship with other believers.

• Real disciples recognize their need for support through the church family to follow Christ well.

• Believers are part of a body, working together for greater fruitfulness.

• Membership equips believers for ministry and service.

• The church provides protection against deception.

• It encourages believers to take risks for love, even amid disappointment.

• Members help strengthen and improve the imperfect church.

• God declares that it is not good for us to be alone; as image-bearers of the Triune God, we are made for community.

• Jesus loves the church, and we are called to love it too.