Annual Checkup
I hate dealing with medical insurance companies. Back when
we lived in Florida, when our boys were much younger, I had to call the
insurance company to find out why they would not approve their meds. Our boys
were both very active and without these meds they were what we referred to as
OOC (out of control). The person I was speaking to was explaining that they
were evaluating their need for the meds.
I finally got so frustrated with this person that I told her
that I was going to bring my two boys to her office and leave them with her
until she approved their meds. She laughed and said, “Well, sir, our office is
in Texas.” I said, “I. Don’t. Care.” The prescriptions got approved that day.
At Elevate Church we practice what is called covenant
membership. Part of that covenant is that we will evaluate where we are each
year. To have an annual checkup. And what better time to do that than at the
beginning of a New Year.
We have been meeting as a church since August 2015, and we
started gathering for weekly worship services on March 27, 2016. Since that
time, we have seen 22 people accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior and have
seen over 50 people connect to our church in some manner. Some have moved out
of the area, some only attend occasionally, while some are here every week.
Last January, we presented those that were attending an
opportunity to connect with us in a more formal manner: as covenant members.
That Sunday we began with our 13 founding members of Elevate Church.
What is covenant membership?
It’s the idea that commitment in a local church is a two-way
street. The believer commits to attend, pray for, uphold the doctrines of, and
generally promote the mission of a particular congregation. Meanwhile, the
congregation as a whole agrees to teach, pray for, encourage, and generally
hold every member accountable to live a Christ-like life. While covenant church
membership is implied in a number of passages, it’s also an implicit part of
the Bible’s storyline: God ordained a people for himself and as God’s people
the church is to live out, together, all the commandments of Christ.
14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not
belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do
not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of
hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one
of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. (1 Corinthians
12:14-20, ESV)
Why Membership?
The Scriptures call us to love one another, outdo one
another in showing honor, live in harmony with one another, instruct, greet,
comfort, serve, bear the burdens of, forgive, encourage, always seek to do good
to, exhort, stir up to love and good works, confess your sins to, pray for and
show hospitality to one another. But how can this be pursued without a deep and
real commitment to the good of others?
Believers may pursue these obligations to each other through
many avenues, but the primary way in which we are to fulfill them is within the
fold of this messy and beautiful reality called the local church.
In 1 Corinthians
12, Paul draws on the imagery of a body as a metaphor for the local
church. And, as participants in the body are called “members,” so this
participation in the local church body is called membership. Membership is not
about privilege or prestige. It is not some elevated level of access with
secret insider benefits. It is not a legal document or means of control.
Membership recognizes the call of discipleship in the
context of gospel-centered community. It is an affirmation and agreement to
contribute to the good of the body rather than consume from it. It is a
formalization of that which already implicitly exists. It is an obligation to
sacrificially seek the good of others in the body of Christ by taking the
general call toward service and incarnating it within a particular people.
Why Covenant?
When the Bible speaks of these formal relationships, it uses
the concept of a covenant. Some of these are between people (1 Sam.18:3, 20:16;
2 Sam. 5:3) while others are between God and man (Gen. 6:18, 9;16, 15:18; Luke 22:20;
Heb. 8:6-7). In some covenants, one party binds him or herself to fulfill the
obligations of both sides. In others, the parties are reciprocally bound to
adhere to the obligations.
Christians commit themselves to each other in the context of
the local church. At Elevate Church, all members are required to take a New
Members Class to learn in detail about our covenants. This class is an
important representation of the formal commitment you make to join with Elevate
Church.
Conclusion
God calls His people into covenant, not only to Himself but
also to each other. He calls us to a life of sacrifice, generosity, service and
radical commitment to the good of the body. And this happy obligation is most
readily pursued within the context of a particular body—a local church.
If you joined with us in covenant membership last year, it
is time to evaluate your commitment as well as the commitment that Elevate
Church made. The Membership Class handbook that you received discusses the things
that we expect all of our members to commit to and follow. Let me remind you
what those were:
Protect the unity of the church by acting in love toward
other members, refusing to gossip, and following the elders’ leadership. Share
the responsibility of the church by praying for its growth, inviting the
unchurched to attend, and warmly welcoming those who visit. Serve the ministry
of the church by discovering my spiritual gifts and talents, being equipped to
serve, and developing a servant’s heart. Support the testimony of the church by
providing for the churches needs with my time, talents, and treasures.
Each year we ask for members to recommit themselves to the
covenant membership. To let those around them know that they desire to continue
to grow spiritually and support the work of the church.
If
you have not made a commitment to a church body, what is holding you back?
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