Membership

Purpose | Criteria | Principles | Requirements

Purpose of Membership

"And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common...day by day continuing with one mind in the temple and breaking bread together with gladness and sincerity of heart." Acts 2:44, 46.

The New Testament presents a picture of definable groups of people who, once committed to the Lord, identified themselves with, and committed themselves to, a particular local body.

In order to implement the principles of accountability and commitment to the local body of Christ, as defined in the New Testament and practiced in the early churches, we recognize the need for formal membership.

Criteria for Membership

"To the church of God at Corinth, those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling with all who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours." 1 Corinthians 6:11

Membership is open to anyone 18 years of age or older who has personally accepted Christ as Savior and Lord, who has received baptism as a believer, and who desires to be committed to Camarillo Community Church as a local body of believers.

Principles of Accountability and Commitment

Membership in the body of Christ requires submission to Christ—a desire to bring each phase of one's life under His Lordship. It therefore involves obedience to the Scriptural principles of commitment and accountability to the body of Christ, as summarized below.

Time

"And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encourage one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near." Hebrews 10:25

Regular fellowship with other believers is vital to one's own Christian walk. Therefore believers should be willing to adjust their schedules to give priority to meeting with the body when it corporately assembles. Further, because Christ expended Himself on our behalf, we should be willing to give of our time to build His Kingdom and pursue those things of eternal significance.

Talents

"For just as we have many members in one body and all members do not have the same function, so we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another. And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let each exercise them accordingly." Romans 12:4-6

We recognize that the body of Christ is composed of interdependent members,each uniquely gifted by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of building the body. Therefore, each believer should seek to identify, develop and utilize his spiritual gifts and abilities and to seek a place of service within the body, with the support and affirmation of the body.

Treasures

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:19-21

Realizing that we have been bought with the price of Christ's blood, everything we are and have belongs to Him, and His kingdom should become the true treasure we pursue.

We recognize the tithe (10% of one's earnings) as the Biblical standard of giving, for the support of the body. But moreover, in response to Christ's abundant giving, we should increasingly seek to submit our personal resources to His Lordship, displaying a spirit of generosity and cheerfulness, knowing that as we give our lives will be "enriched in everything for all eternity."

Fellowship

"If there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose...not merely looking out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." Philippians 2:1-4

As members of the body, we should continually seek to develop a spirit of mutual love, concern, encouragement, and the bearing of one another's burdens. We are to be concerned with each other's spiritual well being, stimulating each other to a deeper walk and commitment to Christ.

Realizing that sin obstructs one's walk with the Lord and impedes fellowship, we are commanded to confront brothers and sisters in love and according to the Biblical principles when there is evidence of sin, thus preserving the integrity of the body, the spirit of peace and the bond of unity.

NOTE: The above Scriptural principles of commitment to the Lord and to the body in no way represent the pathway to salvation. Salvation is wholly a work of God's free grace, not the result in whole or part of any human works or goodness. However, the inevitable accompaniment of a genuine saving relationship with Jesus Christ is the desire to grow in obedience and godliness, brought about by the Holy Spirit's working in one's life.

Requirements

There are three requirements prior to joining Camarillo Community Church:

1. Attend Class 101, "Discovering Church Membership."
   
   
   • What Does It Mean to be a Christian?
   • Baptism and Communion
   • Our Purpose Statement
   • Our Faith Statement
   • How Our Church Is Structured
   • What Does It Mean to be a Member?
     
     
2. Be baptized by immersion.
   
   
3. Come to be welcomed as a new member. This is the last step of membership to be formally welcomed into the church family. This is done at our monthly Community Nite.

Contact Daryl Lundberg for more information.