SEA GENTILES FOR CHRIST MINISTRIES

INCORPORATE “Called to Belong”

Lesson 2
I TREASURE CHURCH MEMBERSHIP AS A GIFT

The church is God’s gift to Man. Just as we treasure God’s gift of

salvation so is the gift of church membership. In SGCM, membership
means that a person is committing himself first to the Lord and then to
the body of Christ. Herewith are the Importance, Involvement and
Manner of church membership.

Leader: Church is a gift from God just like Salvation because it’s freely
given.
This gift is received through Church membership.

I. The Importance of Church Membership

1. Church membership makes our commitment visible to Christ

and His people.

Philippians 2:20-21
I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your
welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of
Jesus Christ.

Leader: The Church membership is a guarantee of Commitment from

thick to thin while the uncommitted can just be counted for a moment or
not at all.

Q: How did Timothy make his commitment visible to the believers?

A: By showing his concerns to their welfare. How about us?

2. Church Membership helps us distinguish between neighbors

and household of faith.

Galatians 6:10
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially
to those who belong to the family of believers.
Leader: Our full support must be to the family of faith (Church
members). This makes the difference then to the “neighbours” non-
members and unbelievers.

Q: How can we know someone who belongs to the household of faith?

A: When that person has committed to church membership

3. Church membership help us guard the peace and purity of

the church.

Matthew 18:15-17
“If your brother or sister[a] sins,[b] go and point out their fault, just
between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But
if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter
may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ [c]  If they
still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to
the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

Leader: It is expected that members are willing to go through the

process in fixing indifferences and issues among believers thus
maintaining the purity of the church.

Q: When all of the avenues in handling conflicts fail, what should we do?
Ans: Tell them to the church and remove.

Q: What if someone would just choose to fellowship but don’t commit to

membership?

A: While we enjoy with those who fellowship with us, we don’t have the
responsibility over them for a long term care. We are only obliged for the
spiritual well-being of the church members.

II. Involvement of Church Membership

Every believer who commits to a local church should understand
that membership commitment and expectation are inseparable. What
then is expected of a member? At SGCM, we never ask to do more than
what the Bible expects for every Christian.

1.) Fellowship
It is expected of every member to attend Church faithfully and
connect with every believer in a small group.
Hebrews 10:25
Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing,
but encouraging one another--and all the more as you see the Day
approaching.

Acts 2:46
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They
broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts

Leader: A bird must have two wings; however, if it has only one wing, it
can’t soar high and can easily get tired and fall down. So with us, we
need the church worship, fellowship and small group fellowship.

2.) Growth
It is expected of every member to involve in Spiritual Growth
Pathway, to grow and be rooted in God’s Word.

Hebrews 6:1
Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ
and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of
repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God.
Acts 2:42
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship,
to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Leader: Spiritual growth should be the aim for every believer, so not to
remain baby. Thus, everyone should make a time to go through the
different Growth Pathway, trainings and lessons.

3.) Leadership
It is expected of every member to win souls for Jesus and find
his/her place of excellence and influence.

Matthew 28:19-20
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them
to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even
to the end of the age.”
Leader: Leadership trainings are really emphasized so you can be
effective in both Church and secular leadership. You will be trained in
soul winning, discipleship, and even Pastoral Leadership.

4.) Service
It is expected of every member to serve through his/her gifts and
talents by being a part of the service teams. SGCM pursues that its
members develop a servant heart.

1 Peter 4:10
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve
others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.
Leader:We serve God by serving people. So, you are given the
opportunity to be in the leadership in accordance to your gift things.

5.) Generosity
It is expected of every member to live a lifestyle of generosity by
cheerfully giving tithes and offering to God, through the church.

1 Corinthians 8:7
But since you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge,
in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you --see that
you also excel in this grace of giving.

Leader: Christians should excel in giving. God modelled when he gave

his only Son for our Salvation. In SOD1 you will learn more about this
matter.

Q: If for some reasons you were physically unable to attend gathering,

would it bother you? Why?

III. Manner of Church Membership

1. Personal Confession of faith in Jesus for Salvation

Romans 10:9 
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your
heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Q: What makes you sure that you are saved?

A: I have received Jesus as my Lord and Savior.
 2. Baptism by Immersion as Testimony of Salvation

Mark 16:16 
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not
believe will be condemned.

Q: What if you are already baptized from another church?

A: Your baptism is legitimate and you don’t need to be baptized again.

Baptism is not membership to a local church.

3. Adherence to SGCM Doctrine

1 Timothy 4:16 
Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if
you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Q: What if your doctrine doesn’t adhere with SGCM?

A: You need to search and be willing to be taught. If you cannot agree,

you can’t be a member of SGCM.

4. Pledge of Membership

Q: What makes a believer a member of SGCM after all other requirements

are met?

A: The decision to choose SGCM as the Local Church, that is why a pledge
is necessary and membership form.