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It
is the desire of Jubilee Worship Center to extend fellowship to all individuals.
At the same time Jubilee Worship Center desires to uphold the principles of
commitment to Christ and to the body that Scripture teaches must accompany true
membership in the body of Christ.
The
purpose of membership
“And those who and believed were together and had
all things in common… day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and
breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with
gladness and sincerity of heart.” (Acts 2:44-46)
The New Testament presents a picture of definable groups pf people who,
once committed to the lord, identified themselves with and committed themselves
to a particular local body. (Romans 16:1; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 8:1;
Philippians 1:1; Acts 11:26) in order to implement the principles of
accountability and commitment to the local body of Christ, as defined in the New
Testament and practiced in the early church, the Church of God recognized the
need for formal membership.
The
criteria for membership
“To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been
sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call
upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.” (1 Corinthians
1:2)
Membership into the Jubilee Worship Center shall be open to anyone twelve
years of age or older who has personally accepted Christ as Savior and Lord, who
has followed the Lord in Baptism, and a believer who desires to be committed to
Jubilee Worship Center as a local body of believers. Individuals under the age
of 18 years of age who desire to become members of Jubilee Worship Center must
have written consent of their parent or legal guardian.
Procedure
for membership
a. Committed
to regular attendance and consistent participation in the life of Jubilee
Worship Center.
b. Must
complete the four week class “Discovering Jubilee Worship Center 101”
c.
Have a
personal interview with the Senior Pastor at which time you will share your
personal testimony and share why you want to be a member.
d. Sign a
Statement of Commitment: Jubilee Worship Center Membership Covenant.
One must sign the Membership Covenant, which shall be
used as an instrument to affirm one’s desire for membership, and to serve as
formal record of one’s membership.
e.
Public
affirmation of new members before the congregation.
Principles
of Accountability and Commitment
Membership in the body of Christ requires submission to Christ, a desire
to bring each phase of one’s life under His lordship. It therefore involves
obedience to the scriptural principles of commitment and accountability to the
body of Christ, as summarized below:
TIME
“And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good
deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but
encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.”
(Hebrews 10:24)
Regular fellowship with other believers is vital to one’s own Christian
walk. Therefore believers should be willing to adjust their schedule to give
priority to meeting with the body when it corporately assembles. Further,
because Christ expended Himself on our behalf, we should be willing to give of
our time to build His Kingdom and pursue those things of eternal significance.
(Hebrews 10:24-25; Matthew 6:33; Philippians 2:5-7; 2 Corinthians 5:15; Romans
14:7-8)
TALENTS
AND GIFTS
"For just as we have many members in one
body and all the members of not have the same function, so we, who are many, are
one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. And since we have
gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let each exercise them
accordingly.” (Romans 12:4-6)
We recognize that the body of Christ is composed of independent members,
each uniquely gifted by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of building up the body.
Therefore each believer should seek to identify, develop and utilize his
spiritual gifts and abilities and to seek a place of service within the body,
with the support and affirmation of the body. (Romans 12:4-6; 1 Corinthians 12;
2 Corinthians 14; Ephesians 4:11-13; Matthew 25:14)
TREASURES
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon
earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But
lay up for yourself treasures in heave, where neither moth nor rust destroys,
and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there
will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
Realizing that we have been bought with the price of Christ’s blood,
everything we are and have belong to Him, and His Kingdom should become the true
treasure we pursue.
We recognize the tithe (10% of ones earnings) as the biblical standard of
giving, for the support of the body. But moreover, in response to Christ’s
abundant giving, we should increasingly seek to submit our personal resources to
His Lordship, displaying a spirit of generosity and cheerfulness, knowing that
as we give, our lives will be “enriched in everything for all liberality.”
(Matthew 6:19-21, 33, 13:44, 23:23; Luke 6:38; Philippians 3:7-8; 1 Peter
1:1-19; Hebrews 9:11-14; Ephesians 1:7; Malachi 3:8-10; 2 Corinthians 8-9;
Proverbs 3:9-10)
FELLOWSHIP
“If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any
consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, in any affection
and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the
same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose… Do not merely look out for
your own personal interest, but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians
2:1-4)
As members of the body, we should continually seek to develop a spirit of
mutual love, concern, encouragement, and the bearing of one another’s burdens.
We are to be concerned with each other’s spiritual well being, stimulating
each other to a deeper walk and commitment to Christ.
Realizing that sin obstructs one’s walk with the lord and impedes
fellowship, we are commanded to confront brothers and sisters in love and
according to the biblical principles when there is evidence of sin, thus
preserving the integrity of unity. (Refer to Church of God Minutes S39.
Membership page 190-191 for procedures in dealing with members) (Philippians
2:1-3; 1 Peter 3:8-9; Hebrews 3:13; Acts 2:42; Acts 4; 1 John 1:7; Galatians
6:1; Luke 17:3-4; Ephesians 4:29-32)
NOTE
The above scriptural principles of commitment to the Lord and to the body
in no way represent the pathway to salvation. Salvation is wholly a work of
God’s free grace, not the result in whole or part of any human works or
goodness. However, the inevitable accompaniment of a genuine saving relationship
with Jesus Christ is the desire to grow in obedience and godliness, brought
about by the Holy Spirit’s working in one’s life. (Titus 3:5; Ephesians
2:8-9; Romans 4:5)
Jubilee
Worship Center adheres to the Church of God (Cleveland Tennessee) Bi-Laws and
Minutes and the New Testament is the only rule for government and discipline in
the church.
Now
that I am a member
Once
someone takes membership with Jubilee Worship Center they know have all the
rights and privileges of that membership as outlined in the Minutes of the
Church of God. A member may vote on matters pertaining to the church. As a
member you may participate on other areas of ministry. However, if one desires
to be more involved in the work of the Local church he or she must complete the
next two levels of training as outlined in Spiritual Life Development Process.
“Discovering my purpose 201” and “Discovering my Ministry 301.”
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