Membership

We believe that being a functioning part of the body of Christ is outworked and expressed through membership of a local church. (We call  our members ‘Rock Legends’.)

Today, most people associate the term ‘membership’ with paying dues, meaningless rituals, rules and regulations, and having their name on some dusty roll. The Bible, however, has a very different image of membership. Being a ‘member’ of the church does not refer to some cold induction into an institution but rather it means becoming a vital organ of a living body. Romans 12:4-5 says, “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”. 

The Christian life involves more than believing – it is also about belonging. 1 Corinthians 12:1 explains that we are one body, with many parts, all needing one another to function effectively.

The difference between attendance and membership can be summed up in one word: commitment. While becoming a Christian means to commit yourself to Christ, becoming a church member means to commit yourself to other Christians within a local church body. The Apostle Paul mentions these two different types of commitment in 2 Corinthians 8:5, “they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will”.

The difference between attendance and membership can be summed up in one word: commitment. While becoming a Christian means to commit yourself to Christ, becoming a church member means to commit yourself to other Christians within a local church body. The Apostle Paul mentions these two different types of commitment in 2 Corinthians 8:5, “they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will”.

The practice of the New Testament Church strongly suggests that membership was in place.

• People didn’t come and go, but were added daily to their numbers (Acts 2:47)
• Care of vulnerable people (I Tim. 5:3-16)
• Delegation of responsibility  (Acts 6:1-6)
• Discipline was carried out (I Cor. 5)
• They knew who was a church member (Rom. 16:1-16)
• Leaders will be held accountable for members (Heb. 13:17)

The New Testament Church knew how many were with them.

• Jesus had 12 Apostles who were named and numbered (Matt 10:1-2)
• There were 72 others that Jesus chose (Luke 10:1)
• Over 500 were there when Jesus ascended to Heaven (1 Cor. 15:6)
• 120 gathered in the upper room (Acts 1:15)
• 5,000 were added to the Church (Acts 4:4)
• The church saw both addition (Acts 2:41) and multiplication (Acts 6:7)

The Rock will not move forward without G.A.S. in the tank! We expect our Rock Legends to fuel the church by participating in these three areas:

• G is for GIVING – a proportion of your income to the work of The Church.
  “On the first day of every week, each one of you should put aside money as you have been blessed. Save it up so you will not have to collect money after I come.” 1 COR. 16:2 (NCV)
• A is for ATTENDING – our weekly service, a mid-week Rock Group and our monthly prayer meetings, whenever possible.
  “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing...” HEB. 10:25 (NIV)
• S is for SERVING – in an area of church life, whether in a team, department or ministry.
  “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus... taking the very nature of a servant…” PHIL 2:4, 7 (NIV)

Membership is a two-way experience. Therefore, the Church’s Senior Leadership is committed to ensuring that Rock Legends are:

• CARED FOR PASTORALLY - initially through the small group structure and one-on-one with another leader when necessary.
  “Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example.” 1 PET 5:2-3 (NLT)
• GROWING TO MATURITY - through the Church’s teaching and preaching programme and within mentoring and accountability structures.
  “Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity.” HEB 6:1 (NIV)
• PURSUING YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE – through discovering your God-given gifts and talents, having the opportunity to use and develop them.
  “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.” ROM 12: 6-8 (NIV)

Why do you call your members ‘legends’? A legend is a noteable person whose deeds and exploits are much talked about. Rock Legends will not just be noted for doing great exploits in Jesus’ name, but more so for faithfully serving, joyfully giving and continually praying.

What happens if I don’t turn up for a service; do I have to be there every week? The expectation of ‘attending’ is not meant to be legalistic. The point is, if you don’t attend, not only will you not benefit, but because you are part of a ‘body’, other people could be affected.

I work away during the week a lot of the time so I won’t be able to attend a small group very often; does that mean I can’t be a member? No it doesn’t. However, we would still encourage you to join a group and attend whenever you can. That way at a very basic level you will be able to pray for people in your group, and they can give you prayer support as well..

What happens if I don’t meet all the expectations (G.A.S.)? These have not been created with legalism in mind, but are actually there to help you grow within the body of Christ. However, if a pattern of lack is evident in any area, then for your benefit, a challenge will be given.

I am already a member of another church; does that mean I can’t be a member of The Rock or can I transfer my membership? Different churches have different membership structures (in fact some have none). It doesn’t matter whether you were a member of a previous church or not. What does matter, is that you have left with the blessing of your previous minister, and if not, to discuss the reason with us.

Why do you ‘expect’ people to give money? Shouldn’t they be left to do this if they wish? Jesus said ‘where your treasure is, there your heart is also’. If you love a football team you may buy a season ticket or if you love a particular band you will most likely buy their music. It shouldn’t be any different when we love God. The church has many expenses such as wages, room hire, community projects, licences, fees and equipment. If people don’t give regularly, the church would be unable to function as it does.

Am I locked into membership? No. You can withdraw at any time, preferably by discussing the reason for your decision, with the leadership.

Do you accept children into membership? Children under the age of 16 will come under their parents’ membership. Anyone over 16 years old can apply for their own membership.

There are application forms available one can be picked up from the stewards on a Sunday (or you can download one here). Once you have completed it, just hand it in to one of the Elders or post it to the address at the bottom of this page.

One of the things we ask everyone to do before applying is to listen to the sermons preached on Membership shortly after the Church launched. Click here and enter the word 'membership into the search box).

When we have looked at your application for membership we will publicly accept you into membership on a Sunday morning with a handshake followed by prayer. This will happen at the next scheduled intake of Legends (roughly every two months).

If there are any issues we need to speak to you about before coming into membership, then we will contact you as soon as possible.