MEMBERSHIP
What is church membership?
Church membership is the affirmation of who makes up the visible body of Christ in a particular local church. Jesus saves all sorts of people all over the world and brings them into his global family, but the New Testament is clear that his people are to gather in identifiable, local expressions of that family of faith. When you enter into covenant membership with Grace Church, we are affirming to the best of our knowledge that you are a Christian. This gives you assurance and accountability as you aim to make Jesus known. Covenant members of Grace Church commit to one another to see to it that as long as they are together they persevere in faith and make it to glory with Jesus.
What is a Member?
At Grace Church, our members are those who have repented of their sin, put their faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins, have professed this faith through believers baptism, and have covenanted themselves together with the other members of Grace Church to hold each other accountable to their profession of faith and mission to make Jesus known. In short, a member of Grace Church is a affirmed, assured, and formally committed part of Christ’s body at Grace Church in Waco.
How do I become a member?
The membership process at Grace is designed to help you know us and us to know you so we can affirm your salvation and welcome you into the church.
Step 1: Membership Class
The membership class includes is meant to provide a intro into the doctrine and culture of Grace Church and help you along the membership process. This includes a time of teaching and a place for you to ask all the questions you have about the church and what your role as a member might look like. These classes are held periodically throughout the year.
Step 2: Membership Interview
After you take part in the membership class, you will be directed to fill out our membership application so we can get to know you better. Then a pastor will schedule a meeting with you and your family to connect with you and further answer any questions you might have. The goal is that one of our pastors has heard your story of life and faith, can affirm that you are a follower of Jesus, and can affirm your readiness to enter into covenant with Grace Church.
Step 3: Baptism and Covenant Signing
Baptism is meant to publicly affirm and portray a believer’s union with Christ through faith and his or her commitment to Christ and his church. If you have not been baptized as a believer, this is the next step in the membership process. The covenant signing will take place at a members meeting. This is when you get to come before the church and publicly sign our membership covenant, committing yourself to us and us to you. This is a time of celebration as we welcome new brothers and sisters into the visible family of God together.
Questions about church membership?
If you are still curious as to the importance and purpose of church membership, please do not hesitate to reach out to a pastor who can help answer your questions.