Receive Members-Original
Membership • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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May 10, 2026
I. Membership
In today’s society people value a coffee shop loyalty app more than they value membership in the local church.
Even though they say they love Jesus.
If you love Jesus you will love what He loves — and He loves His church which, of course includes the local church.
Ephesians 5:25 (NASB95) Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,
Acts 20:28 (NASB95) … the church of God which [Jesus] purchased with His own blood.
It is love for what Jesus loves — a love for the church that Jesus bought with His blood — that brings Angela and Gabriella Kirk to formally join with this local expression of the Church: New Life Family Church.
A. It is always a privilege to welcome new members into the church!
On this 2026 Mother’s Day, we have the privilege of welcoming a mother and grandmother as our newest member.
And she sees this as more than an institution, but a family.
B. Each time we welcome new members, the Lord gives us some new thoughts to mix in with the traditional thoughts about membership.
1. Thus every time we welcome new members…
I pray that you long-time members receive encouragement in YOUR membership.
And that those who have not formally joined the church will be encouraged to do so.
C. We keep coming back to the question: Why is church membership important?
Mark Dever says:
The church, including the local church, should be regarded as important to Christians because of its importance to Christ.
The scriptures tell us that…
Jesus founded the church (Matt 16:18),
He purchased it with his blood (Acts 20:28),
He intimately identifies Himself with it (Acts 9:4).
The Church is His Body, the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:12, 27; Eph 1:22–23; 4:12; 5:20–30; Col 1:18, 24; 3:15),
The Church is the dwelling place of His Holy Spirit (1 Cor 3:16–17; Eph 2:18, 22; 4:4),
The Church is the chief instrument Jesus uses for glorifying God in the world (Ezek 36:22–38; Eph 3:10).
Finally, the church is God’s [chosen] instrument for bringing both the gospel to the nations and a great host of redeemed humanity to Himself (Luke 24:46–48; Rev 5:9).
Are YOU a part of what Jesus loves?
Will you publicly proclaim you are are part of the Body of Christ?
That’s what this new member is doing:
She is saying she wants to be a part of what Jesus loves.
Ephesians 5:25–27 (LSB) Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she would be holy and blameless.
This newest member is also committing herself to the church’s good.
Jonathan Leeman says that:
[In Philippians 2:3-5 the Apostle] Paul looked right into the eyes of the Philippian church and told them to submit to [and for] one another’s good, just as Christ had submitted Himself for their good.
The same is true for us and our local churches. Just as Christ submitted His whole life for our good, so we should submit our whole lives for one another’s good.
We NEED each other in these days of violent outrage:
In 2020 I taught a multi-session class on Ed Stezer’s Book: Christians in the Age of Outrage: How to Bring Our Best When the World Is at Its Worst
It was based on his book: Christians at Our Best,
In one of those lessons, I read what Stezer says about the local church. He said:
We do not engage [our culture] in a vacuum or alone.
Scripture never views believers as unconnected, isolated, or autonomous in their mission.
Rather, the biblical writers always refer to us as parts of a body, a community of believers, an interconnected and interdependent delegation of Kingdom ambassadors.
This is God’s strategy to reach a broad range of people with the same simple message of the gospel.
Each of us is a member of God’s global church.
We are also called to be part of a local expression of that church.
God has given the local church as a sort of regional outpost to support, encourage, and equip us to neighbor others in a way that winsomely draws them to a God who loves them infinitely.
Without a local church, a Christian cannot withstand the age of outrage.
Bring Members Forward
A. So, this morning New Life Family Church has the privilege of welcoming, loving and COVENENTING WITH 1 new ADULT member.
1. This newest member wants the world to know (now easier to do through livestreaming!) …
That she has put down her roots in Christ,
AND, she has planted her roots in this local church.
2. Sister Lois McPherson, would you come forward ?
3. Please face the congregation.
B. Would the Board: Cecelia, Becky, George and Dave come and stand behind these new members?
C. As New Life Family Church welcomes this new member, I want to remind us that we are not an orphanage but rather a Family.
1. Jesus said in John 14:18 (NIV) I will not leave you as orphans; …
2. Instead we are grafted into a family — the Family of God.
F. So it is our privilege to receive into the membership of this church family, __1__Adult members and ( ___Junior members) who has…
1. … made proper application and have been approved by the Official Board of the church
2. … We have sat down together and went through a membership class
2. … and is now ready to receive the right hand of fellowship by this congregation.
G. Our new member, and we as a church are going to publicly and vocally remind each other of our responsibilities and privileges.
1. This is Our FAMILY COVENANT together.
H. I will begin with our newest member:
1. I am going to read a statement and ask that if you agree with it that you say, “I do.”
I. Here goes:
J. Having been led by the Holy Spirit to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, and desiring fellowship with people of like precious faith, and now in the presence of God and this assembly you are entering into a covenant relationship with these members of the Body of Christ.
K. So, do you promise that with the help of the Holy Spirit you will:
1. walk together with the other members of this church in Christian love?
2. work for the advancement of this church?
3. help it pursue holiness and a deeper knowledge of Jesus?
4. promote its prosperity and spirituality?
5. sustain its worship, doctrines and disciplines?
6. contribute regularly and cheerfully to the support of its ministries and activities?
7. If so answer: I do.
L. Do you promise to:
1. maintain your personal devotions?
2. seek the salvation of the lost?
3. avoid sin by avoiding the very appearance of evil?
4. seek that love which thinks no evil?
5. If so answer: I do.
M. Do you further promise to:
1. watch over the other members of this church in Christian love?
2. to remember each other in prayer?
3. to aid each other in distress and sickness
4. to be courteous and forgiving to one another even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you?
5. If so answer: I do.
N. Church, please stand. Do you promise to:
1. watch over Sister Cindy and Brother Ricky in Christian love?
2. to remember them in prayer?
3. to aid them in distress and sickness?
4. to be courteous and forgiving to them even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you?
5. If so answer: I do.
O. We therefore, as the Church of Jesus Christ and members of His Body, now receive you, into our fellowship and communion, recognizing that God has already added you to His Church. And we pray that the blessing of the Lord be upon you always.
Prayer with the Board.
ALL come and welcome!
November 9, 2025: Rimers
I. Membership
A. It is a privilege to welcome new members into the church!
B. Each time we welcome new members, the Lord gives us some new thoughts to mix in with the traditional thoughts about membership.
1. Thus every time we welcome new members…
I pray that you long-time members receive encouragement in YOUR membership.
And that those who have not formally joined the church will be encouraged to do so.
C. We keep coming back to the question: Why is church membership important?
Mark Dever says:
The church should be regarded as important to Christians because of its importance to Christ.
The scriptures tell us that…
Jesus founded the church (Matt 16:18),
He purchased it with his blood (Acts 20:28),
He intimately identifies Himself with it (Acts 9:4).
The Church is His Body, the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:12, 27; Eph 1:22–23; 4:12; 5:20–30; Col 1:18, 24; 3:15),
The Church is the dwelling place of His Holy Spirit (1 Cor 3:16–17; Eph 2:18, 22; 4:4),
The Church is the chief instrument Jesus uses for glorifying God in the world (Ezek 36:22–38; Eph 3:10).
Finally, the church is God’s instrument for bringing both the gospel to the nations and a great host of redeemed humanity to Himself (Luke 24:46–48; Rev 5:9).
Are YOU a part of what Jesus loves?
Will you publicly proclaim you are are part of the Body of Christ?
That’s what these new members are doing:
They are saying they are a part of what Jesus loves.
Ephesians 5:25–27 (LSB) Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she would be holy and blameless.
These newest members are also committing themselves to the church’s good.
Jonathan Leeman says that:
[In Philippians 2:3-5 the Apostle] Paul looked right into the eyes of the Philippian church and told them to submit to one another’s good, just as Christ had submitted himself for their good.
The same is true for us and our local churches. Just as Christ submitted his whole life for our good, so we should submit our whole lives for one another’s good.
We NEED each other in these days of violent outrage:
In 2020 I taught a multi-session class on Ed Stezer’s Book: Christians in the Age of Outrage: How to Bring Our Best When the World Is at Its Worst
It was based on his book: Christians at Our Best,
In one of those lessons, I read what Stezer says about the local church:
We do not engage [our culture] in a vacuum or alone.
Scripture never views believers as unconnected, isolated, or autonomous in their mission.
Rather, the biblical writers always refer to us as parts of a body, a community of believers, an interconnected and interdependent delegation of Kingdom ambassadors.
This is God’s strategy to reach a broad range of people with the same simple message of the gospel.
Each of us is a member of God’s global church.
We are also called to be part of a local expression of that church.
God has given the local church as a sort of regional outpost to support, encourage, and equip us to neighbor others in a way that winsomely draws them to a God who loves them infinitely.
Without a local church, a Christian cannot withstand the age of outrage.
Bring Members Forward
A. So, this morning New Life Family Church has the privilege of welcoming, loving and COVENENTING WITH 2 new ADULT members.
1. This morning 2 people want the world to know (now easier to do through livestreaming!) …
That they have put down their roots in Christ,
AND, they have planted their roots in this local church.
2. Brother Mike and Sister Beverly Rimer, would you come forward ?
3. Please face the congregation.
B. Would the Board: Madeline (out-of-town0 , Jay, Cecelia and Gene come and stand behind these new members?
C. As New Life Family Church welcomes these new members, I want to remind us that we are not an orphanage but rather a Family.
1. Jesus said in John 14:18 (NIV) I will not leave you as orphans; …
D. In an orphanage:
1. Orphans are not related.
2. Their common bond is merely that they all reside at one location — the orphanage.
E. But, in A Family:
1. It’s NOT that way!
2. The family is BLOOD-related. The BLOOD of Jesus.
THAT is what ties us together.
Not meeting in this building each Sunday.
Not some hobby or social class, or race
Folks the only way to describe this church is the supernatural calling of God.
HE has joined us together.
3. And here is another family joining the body — united by the blood of Jesus.
1 Corinthians 12:18 (LSB) But now God has appointed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.
1 Corinthians 12:27 (LSB) Now [we] are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.
F. So it is our privilege to receive into the membership of this church family, __2__Adult members and ( ___Junior members) who have…
1. … made proper application and have been approved by the Official Board of the church
2. … We have sat down together and went through a membership class
2. … and are now ready to receive the right hand of fellowship by this congregation.
G. Our new members, and we as a church are going to publicly and vocally remind each other of our responsibilities and privileges.
1. This is Our FAMILY COVENANT together.
H. I will begin with our newest members:
1. I am going to read a statement and ask that if you agree with it that you say, “I do.”
I. Here goes:
J. Having been led by the Holy Spirit to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, and desiring fellowship with people of like precious faith, and now in the presence of God and this assembly you are entering into a covenant relationship with these members of the Body of Christ.
K. So, do you promise that with the help of the Holy Spirit you will:
1. walk together with the other members of this church in Christian love?
2. work for the advancement of this church?
3. help it pursue holiness and a deeper knowledge of Jesus?
4. promote its prosperity and spirituality?
5. sustain its worship, doctrines and disciplines?
6. contribute regularly and cheerfully to the support of its ministries and activities?
7. If so answer: I do.
L. Do you promise to:
1. maintain your personal devotions?
2. seek the salvation of the lost?
3. avoid sin by avoiding the very appearance of evil?
4. seek that love which thinks no evil?
5. If so answer: I do.
M. Do you further promise to:
1. watch over the other members of this church in Christian love?
2. to remember each other in prayer?
3. to aid each other in distress and sickness
4. to be courteous and forgiving to one another even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you?
5. If so answer: I do.
N. Church, please stand. Do you promise to:
1. watch over Sister Cindy and Brother Ricky in Christian love?
2. to remember them in prayer?
3. to aid them in distress and sickness?
4. to be courteous and forgiving to them even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you?
5. If so answer: I do.
O. We therefore, as the Church of Jesus Christ and members of His Body, now receive you, into our fellowship and communion, recognizing that God has already added you to His Church. And we pray that the blessing of the Lord be upon you always.
Prayer with the Board.
ALL come and welcome!
March 2, 2025 Lochers
I. Membership
A. It is a privilege to welcome new members into the church!
B. Each time we welcome new members, the Lord gives us some new thoughts to mix in with the traditional thoughts about membership.
1. Thus every time we welcome new members…
I pray that you long-time members receive encouragement in YOUR membership.
And that those who have not formally joined the church will be encouraged to do so.
C. We keep coming back to the question: Why is church membership important?
Mark Dever says:
The church should be regarded as important to Christians because of its importance to Christ.
The scriptures tell us that…
Jesus founded the church (Matt 16:18),
He purchased it with his blood (Acts 20:28),
He intimately identifies Himself with it (Acts 9:4).
Because the church is His Body, the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:12, 27; Eph 1:22–23; 4:12; 5:20–30; Col 1:18, 24; 3:15),
The dwelling place of His Holy Spirit (1 Cor 3:16–17; Eph 2:18, 22; 4:4),
And the chief instrument Jesus uses for glorifying God in the world (Ezek 36:22–38; Eph 3:10).
Finally, the church is God’s instrument for bringing both the gospel to the nations and a great host of redeemed humanity to Himself (Luke 24:46–48; Rev 5:9).
Are YOU a part of what Jesus loves?
Will you publicly proclaim you are are part of the Body of Christ?
That’s what these new members are doing:
They are saying they are a part of what Jesus loves.
Ephesians 5:25–27 (LSB) Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she would be holy and blameless.
These newest members are also committing themselves to the church’s good.
Jonathan Leeman says that:
[In Philippians 2:3-5 the Apostle] Paul looked right into the eyes of the Philippian church and told them to submit to one another’s good, just as Christ had submitted himself for their good.
The same is true for us and our local churches. Just as Christ submitted his whole life for our good, so we should submit our whole lives for one another’s good.
Bring Members Forward
A. So, this morning New Life Family Church has the privilege of welcoming, loving and COVENENTING WITH 2 new ADULT members. (Jada Maxwell will also be welcomed into membership as soon as she and Kirklynn are up to it.)
1. But this morning 2 people want the world to know (now easier to do through livestreaming!) …
That they have put down their roots in Christ,
AND, they have planted their roots in this local church.
2. Sister Cindy Locher, would you and your son Ricky come forward ?
3. Please face the congregation.
B. Would the Board: Madeline, Jay, Cecelia and Gene come and join these new members?
C. As New Life Family Church welcomes these new members, I want to remind us that we are not an orphanage but rather a Family.
1. Jesus said in John 14:18 (NIV) I will not leave you as orphans; …
D. In an orphanage:
1. Orphans are not related.
2. Their common bond is merely that they all reside at one location — the orphanage.
E. But, in A Family:
1. It’s NOT that way!
2. The family is BLOOD-related. The BLOOD of Jesus.
THAT is what ties us together.
Not meeting in this building each Sunday.
Not some hobby or social class, or race
Folks the only way to describe this church is the supernatural calling of God.
HE has joined us together.
3. And here is another family joining the body — united by the blood of Jesus.
1 Corinthians 12:18 (LSB) But now God has appointed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.
1 Corinthians 12:27 (LSB) Now [we] are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.
F. So it is our privilege to receive into the membership of this church family, __2__Adult members and ( ___Junior members) who have…
1. … made proper application and have been approved by the Official Board of the church
2. … and are now ready to receive the right hand of fellowship by this congregation.
G. Our new members, and we as a church are going to publicly and vocally remind each other of our responsibilities and privileges.
1. This is Our FAMILY COVENANT together.
H. I will begin with our newest members:
1. I am going to read a statement and ask that if you agree with it that you say, “I do.”
I. Here goes:
J. Having been led by the Holy Spirit to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, and desiring fellowship with people of like precious faith, and now in the presence of God and this assembly you are entering into a covenant relationship with these members of the Body of Christ.
K. So, do you promise that with the help of the Holy Spirit you will:
1. walk together with the other members of this church in Christian love?
2. work for the advancement of this church?
3. help it pursue holiness and a deeper knowledge of Jesus?
4. promote its prosperity and spirituality?
5. sustain its worship, doctrines and disciplines?
6. contribute regularly and cheerfully to the support of its ministries and activities?
7. If so answer: I do.
L. Do you promise to:
1. maintain your personal devotions?
2. seek the salvation of the lost?
3. avoid sin by avoiding the very appearance of evil?
4. seek that love which thinks no evil?
5. If so answer: I do.
M. Do you further promise to:
1. watch over the other members of this church in Christian love?
2. to remember each other in prayer?
3. to aid each other in distress and sickness
4. to be courteous and forgiving to one another even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you?
5. If so answer: I do.
N. Church, please stand. Do you promise to:
1. watch over Sister Cindy and Brother Ricky in Christian love?
2. to remember them in prayer?
3. to aid them in distress and sickness?
4. to be courteous and forgiving to them even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you?
5. If so answer: I do.
O. We therefore, as the Church of Jesus Christ and members of His Body, now receive you, into our fellowship and communion, recognizing that God has already added you to His Church. And we pray that the blessing of the Lord be upon you always.
Prayer with the Board.
ALL come and welcome!
October 20, 2024
I. Membership
A. It is a privilege to welcome new members into the church!
B. Each time we welcome new members, the Lord gives us some new thoughts to mix in with the traditional thoughts about membership.
1. Thus every time we welcome new members…
I pray that you long-time members receive encouragement in YOUR membership.
And that those who have not formally joined the church will be encouraged to do so.
C. We keep coming back to the question: Why is church membership important?
Mark Dever says:
The church should be regarded as important to Christians because of its importance to Christ.
Jesus founded the church (Matt 16:18),
He purchased it with his blood (Acts 20:28),
And intimately identifies Himself with it (Acts 9:4).
The church is the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:12, 27; Eph 1:22–23; 4:12; 5:20–30; Col 1:18, 24; 3:15),
The dwelling place of His Spirit (1 Cor 3:16–17; Eph 2:18, 22; 4:4),
And the chief instrument for glorifying God in the world (Ezek 36:22–38; Eph 3:10).
Finally, the church is God’s instrument for bringing both the gospel to the nations and a great host of redeemed humanity to Himself (Luke 24:46–48; Rev 5:9).
Are you a part?
On Friday I spent some time talking with our newest members about church membership.
They had previously been members of a church in Hiawassee.
That church had an interesting viewpoint on church membership.
They required active participation in some ministry before you could be a member.
I find this interesting, because many churches require you to be a member before you can be an active participant.
In any case, I do believe that church membership and active participation in the ministry of the church go hand-in-hand.
Whether you teach children, youth or adults…
Whether you play an instrument or sing on the worship team…
Whether you help clean the church
Or help feed the hungry
Or even if your main ministry is that of a prayer warrior (very important — never minimize this ministry!)
Our new members are already getting involved and only the Lord knows all in which they will be involved.
Bring Members Forward
A. So, this morning New Life Family Church has the privilege of welcoming, loving and COVENENTING WITH 2 new ADULT members (and 2 new junior members.)
1. 4 people want the world to know (now easier to do through livestreaming!) …
That they have put down their roots in Christ,
AND, they have planted their roots in this local church.
2. Brother Dustin & Sister Brooklynn Ford, would come forward with your 2 daughters?
3. Please face the congregation.
B. Would the Board: Madeline, George come and join these new members? (Jay and Cecelia are out-of-town).
C. As New Life Family Church welcomes these new members, I want to remind us that we are not an orphanage but rather a Family.
1. Jesus said in John 14:18 (NIV) I will not leave you as orphans; …
D. In an orphanage:
1. Orphans are not related.
2. Their common bond is merely that they all reside at one location — the orphanage.
E. But, in A Family:
1. It’s NOT that way!
2. The family is BLOOD-related. The BLOOD of Jesus.
THAT is what ties us together.
Not some hobby or social class, or race
Folks the only way to describe this church is he supernatural calling of God.
HE has joined us together.
3. And here is another family joining the body — united by the blood of Jesus.
1 Corinthians 12:18 (LSB) But now God has appointed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.
1 Corinthians 12:27 (LSB) Now [we] are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.
F. So it is our privilege to receive into the membership of this church family, __2__Adult members and ( 2 Junior members) who have…
1. … made proper application and have been approved by the Official Board of the church
2. They have taken a membership class
3. … and are now ready to receive the right hand of fellowship by this congregation.
G. Our new members, and we as a church are going to publicly and vocally remind each other of our responsibilities and privileges.
1. Our FAMILY COVENANT together.
H. I will begin with our newest members:
1. I am going to read a statement and ask that if you agree with it that you say, “I do.”
I. Here goes:
J. Having been led by the Holy Spirit to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, and desiring fellowship with people of like precious faith, and now in the presence of God and this assembly you are entering into a covenant relationship with these members of the Body of Christ.
K. So, do you promise that with the help of the Holy Spirit you will:
1. walk together with the other members of this church in Christian love?
2. work for the advancement of this church?
3. help it pursue holiness and a deeper knowledge of Jesus?
4. promote its prosperity and spirituality?
5. sustain its worship, doctrines and disciplines?
6. contribute regularly and cheerfully to the support of its ministries and activities?
7. If so answer: I do.
L. Do you promise to:
1. maintain your personal devotions?
2. seek the salvation of the lost?
3. avoid sin by avoiding the very appearance of evil?
4. seek that love which thinks no evil?
5. If so answer: I do.
M. Do you further promise to:
1. watch over the other members of this church in Christian love?
2. to remember each other in prayer?
3. to aid each other in distress and sickness
4. to be courteous and forgiving to one another even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you?
5. If so answer: I do.
N. Church, please stand. Do you promise to:
1. watch over Brother and Sister Young AND Brother & Sister Smith in Christian love?
2. to remember them in prayer?
3. to aid them in distress and sickness?
4. to be courteous and forgiving to them even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you?
5. If so answer: I do.
O. We therefore, as the Church of Jesus Christ and members of His Body, now receive you, into our fellowship and communion, recognizing that God has already added you to His Church. And we pray that the blessing of the Lord be upon you always.
Prayer with the Board.
ALL come and welcome!
August 4, 2024
I. Membership
A. It is a privilege to welcome new members into the church!
B. Each time we welcome new members, the Lord gives me new thoughts to mix in with the traditional thoughts about membership.
1. Thus every time we welcome new members…
I pray that you long-time members receive encouragement in YOUR membership.
And that those who have not formally joined the church will be encouraged to do so.
C. We keep coming back to the question: Why is church membership important?
One of the ancient church fathers, Cyprian of Carthage, considered the greatest bishop of the third century, said,
“No one can have God for his father, who has not the church for his mother,”
John Stott said, “The church lies at the very center of the eternal purpose of God.
It is not a divine afterthought.
It is not an accident of history.”
Mark Dever says:
The church should be regarded as important to Christians because of its importance to Christ.
Jesus founded the church (Matt 16:18),
He purchased it with his blood (Acts 20:28),
And intimately identifies Himself with it (Acts 9:4).
The church is the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:12, 27; Eph 1:22–23; 4:12; 5:20–30; Col 1:18, 24; 3:15),
The dwelling place of His Spirit (1 Cor 3:16–17; Eph 2:18, 22; 4:4),
And the chief instrument for glorifying God in the world (Ezek 36:22–38; Eph 3:10).
Finally, the church is God’s instrument for bringing both the gospel to the nations and a great host of redeemed humanity to Himself (Luke 24:46–48; Rev 5:9).
Are you a part?
Bring Members Forward
Bring Members Forward
A. So, this morning New Life Family Church has the privilege of welcoming, loving and COVENENTING WITH 4 new ADULT members (and 0 new junior members.)
1. 4 people want the world to know (now easier to do through livestreaming!) …
That they have put down their roots in Christ,
AND, they have planted their roots in this local church.
2. Brother Ron & Sister Cynthia Broadhead, would come forward?
3. Brother Gene and Sister Joy Khoury, would you also come forward?
4. Please face the congregation.
B. Would the Board: Madeline, George, Jay and Cecelia come and join these new members?
C. As New Life Family Church welcomes these new members, I want to remind us that we are not an orphanage but rather a Family.
1. Jesus said in John 14:18 (NIV) I will not leave you as orphans; …
D. In an orphanage:
1. Orphans are not related.
2. Their common bond is merely that they all reside at one location — the orphanage.
E. But, in A Family:
1. It’s NOT that way!
2. The family is BLOOD-related. The BLOOD of Jesus.
3. And here at New Life we don’t merely meet at a physical location, we are united by the blood of Jesus.
F. So it is our privilege to receive into the membership of this church family, __4__Adult members and (Junior members) who have…
1. … made proper application and have been approved by the Official Board of the church and are now ready to receive the right hand of fellowship by this congregation.
G. Our new members, and we as a church are going to publicly and vocally remind each other of our responsibilities and privileges.
1. Our FAMILY COVENANT together.
H. I will begin with our newest members:
1. I am going to read a statement and ask that if you agree with it that you say, “I do.”
I. Here goes:
J. Having been led by the Holy Spirit to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, and desiring fellowship with people of like precious faith, and now in the presence of God and this assembly you are entering into a covenant relationship with these members of the Body of Christ.
K. So, do you promise that with the help of the Holy Spirit you will:
1. walk together with the other members of this church in Christian love?
2. work for the advancement of this church?
3. help it pursue holiness and a deeper knowledge of Jesus?
4. promote its prosperity and spirituality?
5. sustain its worship, doctrines and disciplines?
6. contribute regularly and cheerfully to the support of its ministries and activities?
7. If so answer: I do.
L. Do you promise to:
1. maintain your personal devotions?
2. seek the salvation of the lost?
3. avoid sin by avoiding the very appearance of evil?
4. seek that love which thinks no evil?
5. If so answer: I do.
M. Do you further promise to:
1. watch over the other members of this church in Christian love?
2. to remember each other in prayer?
3. to aid each other in distress and sickness
4. to be courteous and forgiving to one another even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you?
5. If so answer: I do.
N. Church, please stand. Do you promise to:
1. watch over Brother and Sister Young AND Brother & Sister Smith in Christian love?
2. to remember them in prayer?
3. to aid them in distress and sickness?
4. to be courteous and forgiving to them even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you?
5. If so answer: I do.
O. We therefore, as the Church of Jesus Christ and members of His Body, now receive you, into our fellowship and communion, recognizing that God has already added you to His Church. And we pray that the blessing of the Lord be upon you always.
Prayer with the Board.
ALL come and welcome!
Microsoft CoPilot (AI) has culled from a variety of sources that:
Church membership holds significant value for both individuals and the larger faith community. Here are a few key aspects:
Sense of Belonging: Being a member of a church provides a sense of belonging and community. It connects individuals with others who share similar beliefs and values.
Spiritual Growth: Membership often involves regular participation in worship services, Bible studies, and other church activities, which can foster spiritual growth and deeper understanding of one’s faith.
Support System: Churches often provide emotional, spiritual, and sometimes even financial support to their members. This can be especially valuable during times of personal crisis or need.
Accountability: Being part of a church community can offer accountability, helping members stay committed to their faith and moral values.
Opportunities to Serve: Church membership often comes with opportunities to serve others, whether through volunteer work, mission trips, or other forms of ministry. This can be fulfilling and help members live out their faith in practical ways.
Leadership and Development: Many churches offer leadership training and development opportunities, helping members grow in their personal and professional lives.
1. Taking this formal step emphasizes that a light has come on in your thinking.
2. That you understand and want to obey God’s design for the Christian life.
i. Anyone who would tell you they are a Christian but are NOT part of a local church whether formally or informally is NOT living out BIBLICAL Christianity.
ii. BIBLICAL Christianity ALWAYS involves individual Christians being a part of a local Body of believers.
iii. The Bible does NOT provide for Lone Ranger Christians.
3. Biblical Christians understand that God has placed them in the Body of Christ.
i. Whether or not you make this formal commitment you recognize:
ii. 1 Corinthians 12:18, 27 (NASB95) But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 27 Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.
D. Ephesians 3:10 reminds us that: His [God’s] intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms.
E. Harris, Jeff. Warrior Poet Daily Devotional . Jeff Harris. Kindle Edition.
1. … The mystery of Jesus is revealed in the Church! A Christianity devoid of community is an anomaly that is incongruent with Jesus’ vision and the reality of a unified body. If you are to progress in your faith, the progress always includes the local body of believers, not just a select affinity group, but the messiness of the book of Acts. To serve God divorced from the Body is to deny a local body its vitality. No greater wounded-ness is revealed than by those who live their faith in Jesus alienated from a local body. No amount of hyper-hermeneutics will slither through Jesus' intent through the local body.
F. Words to ponder and pray about!
G. We need the local church to fulfill Jesus’ command in:
1. John 13:34–35 (NASB95) “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Bring Members Forward
Bring Members Forward
A. So, this morning New Life Family Church has the privilege of welcoming, loving and COVENENTING WITH 5 new ADULT members and 6 new junior members.
1. 11 people who have elected to put down roots not only in Christ, but also in this church.
2. Brother David Thomason, would come forward?
3. And the Rolando, Lennah and your boys?
4. Nathan, Gina and girls, if you would come forward?
4. Please face the congregation.
B. Would the Board, Madeline, George and Michelle come and join these new members?
Brother Jay is out of town.
C. As New Life Family Church welcomes these new members, I want to remind us that we are not an orphanage but rather a Family.
1. Jesus said in John 14:18 (NIV) I will not leave you as orphans; …
D. In an orphanage:
1. Orphans are not related.
2. Their common bond is merely that they all reside at one location — the orphanage.
E. But, in A Family:
1. It’s NOT that way!
2. The family is BLOOD-related. The BLOOD of Jesus.
3. And here at New Life we don’t merely meet at a physical location, we are united by the blood of Jesus.
F. So it is our privilege to receive into the membership of this church family, __5__Adult members and 6 Junior members who have…
1. … made proper application and have been approved by the Official Board of the church and are now ready to receive the right hand of fellowship by this congregation.2.
G. Our new members, and we as a church are going to remind each other of our responsibilities and privileges.
1. Our FAMILY COVENANT together.
H. I will begin with our newest members:
1. I am going to read a statement and ask that if you agree with it that you say, “I do.”
I. Here goes:
J. Having been led by the Holy Spirit to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, and desiring fellowship with people of like precious faith, and now in the presence of God and this assembly you are entering into a covenant relationship with these members of the Body of Christ.
1. A covenant relationship is a strong bond meant to be broken only in the case of death.
K. So, do you promise that with the help of the Holy Spirit you will:
1. walk together with the other members of this church in Christian love?
2. work for the advancement of this church?
3. help it pursue holiness and a deeper knowledge of Jesus?
4. promote its prosperity and spirituality?
5. sustain its worship, doctrines and disciplines?
6. contribute regularly and cheerfully to the support of its ministries and activities?
7. If so answer: I do.
L. Do you promise to:
1. maintain your personal devotions?
2. seek the salvation of the lost?
3. avoid sin by avoiding the very appearance of evil?
4. seek that love which thinks no evil?
5. If so answer: I do.
M. Do you further promise to:
1. watch over the other members of this church in Christian love?
2. to remember each other in prayer?
3. to aid each other in distress and sickness
4. to be courteous and forgiving to one another even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you?
5. If so answer: I do.
N. Church, please stand. Do you promise to:
1. watch over Brother and Sister Young AND Brother & Sister Smith in Christian love?
2. to remember them in prayer?
3. to aid them in distress and sickness?
4. to be courteous and forgiving to them even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you?
5. If so answer: I do.
O. We therefore, as the Church of Jesus Christ and members of His Body, now receive you, into our fellowship and communion, recognizing that God has already added you to His Church. And we pray that the blessing of the Lord be upon you always.
P. Prayer with the Board.
Q. ALL come and welcome!
W.
