Changing Lives Christian Church MEMBERSHIP:
I would like to commend you for considering membership at Changing Lives Christian Church. You have made a very good spiritual decision.
In our church there are those who just attend our services, and then there are those who are “official” members of our church. Of course we love everyone the same being an “attender” or a “member”. It is my vision as the Pastor here that everyone would want to become official members. Of course membership takes dedication, accountability and commitment. In fact it is required to become an official member if you want to be used in any ministry here.
The number one requirement for being a member is that you are already a born again Christian.
Your loyalty must be to Changing Lives Christian Church, in attending our church a bare minimum of once per week. (But preferably when the church doors are open), not attending our church and another church at the same time, on a regular basis.
As loyal members we must live a holy life, obviously not living together without being married. Holiness is God’s standard for His church. You also should support the church with your tithes (10% of your income) and offerings above and beyond your tithes.
You must be accountable to God, to me your Pastor, and to this local church body.
In becoming a member, you will find in your life, that you will have a closer relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ, being you will be more committed to Him and His church.
I as Pastor highly recommend you to become a loyal member here at CLCC, as you will have a stronger sense of belonging to the family of this local body, and also help or lead a ministry here.
So pray about it, and see me if you are interested. Then, the next step would be for you to get together with me to start taking membership classes. There are approximately five classes, and on the fifth class you will take an exam with multiple choice and fill in the blank questions. After passing this exam, with a score of at least 70%, the following Sunday morning I will officially take you in as a member of our church, and you will be presented a membership certificate signed by me in front of our congregation. We also would have you take a “spiritual gifts test” to see what your strongest spiritual gifts are, to be used in ministry here at the church. If you have any other questions, please see me. Please read the Membership Covenant and “What we believe” on the next pages as well.
God bless your commitment to the Lord and His church!
Pastor Craig S. Mattheson
Changing Lives Christian Church Membership Covenant
1. I will protect the UNITY of my church
By acting in love toward others—1 Peter 1:22 ...see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
By refusing to gossip_- Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers.
By following the leaders – Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls.
2. I will share the RESPONSIBILITY of my church
By praying for its growth—1 Thessalonians 1:2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
By inviting the un-churched to attend—Luke 14:23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.
By warmly welcoming those who visit—Romans 15:7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
By giving my tithe (10% of my income) regularly and giving offerings—1 Corinthians 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him,...
Mal 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.
3. I will serve the MINISTRY of my church
By discovering my gifts and talents—1 Peter 4:10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
By being equipped to serve by my pastor—Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
By developing a servant’s heart—Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
4. I will support the TESTIMONY of my church
By attending faithfully—Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
By living a godly life—Philippians 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Changing Lives Christian Church
Haverhill, MA 01830
(978) 373-7373
www.ChangingLivesChristianChurch.com
Worship Service: Sunday 11AM
Bible Study: Wednesday 7pm
Intercessory Prayer Meeting: Thursday 7:30am