The Ministry of Members

Membership in the Church is a joy and a privilege. It is also a commitment to participate in Christ’s mission. A faithful member bears witness to God’s love and grace and promises to be involved responsibly in the ministry of Christ’s Church. Such involvement includes:

• Proclaiming the good news in word and deed,

• Taking part in the common life and worship of a congregation,

• Lifting one another up in prayer, mutual concern, and active support,

• Studying Scripture and the issues of Christian faith and life,

• Supporting the ministry of the church through the giving of money, time, and talents,

• Demonstrating a new quality of life within and through the church,

• Responding to God’s activity in the world through service to others,

• Living responsibly in the personal, family, vocational, political, cultural, and social relationships of life,

• Working in the world for peace, justice, freedom, and human fulfillment,

• Participating in the governing responsibilities of the church, and

• Reviewing and evaluating regularly the integrity of one’s membership, and considering ways in which one’s participation in the worship and service of the church may be increased and made more meaningful.

We’re all on the same team and should be doing the last item on the list. We all need to encourage our other team members to get in the game, to hone their skills, to use their talents to make the team better. Pray for a ministry. Take an educational class. Support a mission project. Volunteer for a program or event. Fill in the gaps of our calling.

We can only be the church God has called us to be if all of our members (parts) are reaching their highest potential, using the gifts given by God’s Spirit to fulfill God’s plan for our church, our community, and our world.