Membership
Church membership is about being committed to a spiritual family.
What is church membership?
"So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." (Romans 12:5)
Church membership is about being committed to a spiritual family. Our members are everyday people who are committed to loving Jesus - His story, His people, and His rule - as well as living outward - giving, serving, and speaking - to the glory of God. Without our members, the church could not fulfill the mission that Jesus has given us.
By becoming a covenant member of Outward Church, you affirm your commitment to the mission, doctrine, and values of the body of Christ at Outward, and the church and its leaders are better able to care, support, challenge, and pray for those who call our church home.
By becoming a covenant member of Outward Church, you affirm your commitment to the mission, doctrine, and values of the body of Christ at Outward, and the church and its leaders are better able to care, support, challenge, and pray for those who call our church home.
Why church membership?
Identity
Membership visibly identifies you with Christ. The majority of Paul’s letters were written to a body of believers - not individual Christians. Scripture supports the idea of those belonging to Christ as “inside” the church, versus those not in Christ as “outside” (Eph 2:19, 1 Cor 5:1-13, Matt 18:15-17). Church membership is a physical expression of the spiritual reality of new life in Christ.
Kingdom
Membership acknowledges our place in God's Kingdom and identifies us with something much bigger than ourselves (1 Cor 12:12-31, Rom 12:3-8).
Covenant
Membership reflects the biblical concept of covenant, and by extension, the idea of selfless commitment (Romans 12:1-2). Put another way, membership allows us to say “this is my church" rather than "this is the church I attend.”
Growth
Membership reflects a desire to be held accountable in biblical community, as you live and grow under qualified biblical leadership (Hebrews 3:13, Ephesians 4:11-16).
Connection
Membership helps church leaders be better shepherds (1 Peter 5:1-3, Hebrews 13:17, Acts 20:28). Membership allows pastors and elders to know who to shepherd - who they will give an account for - by knowing who is actually a part of the church.
Start the process.
Fill out the form below to begin the process of covenant membership at Outward Church.
Prerequisites for membership include 1) regular attendance for 3 months, 2) participation in an Outward Essentials Group, and 3) agreement with our doctrinal statement. All members will complete a membership interview with an Outward Church elder before membership is finalized.
Prerequisites for membership include 1) regular attendance for 3 months, 2) participation in an Outward Essentials Group, and 3) agreement with our doctrinal statement. All members will complete a membership interview with an Outward Church elder before membership is finalized.