The Bridge Church believes that church membership is an important part of discipleship as part of the body of Christ. Our process of membership provides the opportunity for prospective members to get to know the church. As a registered charity we’re governed by a Constitution and the curriculum is based around our vision, mission, values, beliefs, and ministry practices expressed therein (Constitution available on request).
This happens as topics related to membership are shared in sermons on Sunday mornings and then discussed in the small groups which follow. The membership process provides the opportunity to connect with the ministry of the church while building relationships within the church body.
Our aim is to help you determine whether you believe God is leading you to make The Bridge Church your spiritual home. After going through the membership process you can decide whether to proceed with an application for church membership (refer to Constitution for more details regarding the New Membership Process).
We believe that membership is a privilege and we encourage you to consider joining our church family, but we do not intend to exclude anyone from church activities if they have chosen not to pursue formal membership. However some ministry positions are reserved for those who are members as membership demonstrates commitment and accountability, which cultivates relationship and trust.
See below for articles that explain the importance of church membership and for sermons relating to membership at The Bridge with relevant discussion questions.
Articles on church membership:
Michael Osborne, “Why Church Membership?” Tabletalk Magazine.
Ed Stetzer, “3 Reasons for Church Membership,” Outreach Magazine.
Kevin DeYoung, “6 Reasons Why Membership Matters,” TGC blog.
Gregg Allison, The Membership of the Church, TGC essay.
Christ’s body, the church (click link for sermon)
Read Matthew 16:18, Acts 20:28 and Ephesians 5:25-27
What do these verses say about how Jesus sees the church?
Why is Christ’s view of the church an important starting point?
How can you reflect Christ’s love for the church in your interactions with fellow believers?
Consider the following quote: “The Church is founded on Christ. It is His Church, the response to His call, the obedience to His will. It is important to keep this in mind, because Christians themselves often forget and begin to view the Church as “theirs,” as an organization essentially called to serve them, to satisfy their spiritual and non-spiritual needs and demands.” Alexander Schmemann
Why is it important that we don’t start with a consumer mindset when thinking about the church?
Read 1Corinthians 12:7, 14-19 and Ephesians 4:15-16
What are some practical steps you can take to be an active member of the church body?
What does 1 Corinthians 12:7 tell us about how the presence of the Holy Spirit manifest in the church?
How can understanding the church as a mosaic of individual believers impact your view of your own identity in Christ?
Read Hebrews 3:12-13 and 10:24-25
How can we encourage unity within the church despite cultural pressures towards individualism?
What do these verse show as the danger of not being connected in the body of Christ in a deep and committed way?
Read John 17:21-24
In Jesus’ last recorded prayer before His death, how does He pray for the church and what do these verses show us about the importance of unity in His sight?
Read Ephesians 2:18-20 and Revelation 7:9-10
What do these verses show us about the universal church?
What is our connection to the universal church and why must it be lived out in local expressions of church?
Read Matthew 18:20, Ephesians 2:21-22 and 2 Peter 1:3
What do these verses tell us about the importance of the presence of God and holiness in the church?
Read Acts 2:42
What does this verse show us about the role of the apostles teaching in the early church?
What does the following quote tells us about apostolic authority?
“We must understand the apostolic sense of calling that is found throughout the New Testament… We can take Paul as an example… He writes (in 2 Corinthians) that his ministry is inspired directly by the Spirit (3:6, 8)… He even declares that “Christ is speaking through me” (13:3)… The apostles were sent directly by Christ and inspired by the Holy Spirit, and their message held a unique authority over the church—in the same way the prophets and other Old Testament writers wrote God’s word for Israel” Ryan Reeves
What does the following quote tells us about judging between essentials and non-essentials and why is it important?
“Although it is not always easy to distinguish between them, a safe guide is that truths on which Scripture speaks with a clear voice are essentials… any subject on which equally devout, equally humble, equally Bible-believing and Bible-studying Christians or churches reach different conclusions, must be considered secondary not primary.” John Stott
Connecting to local church (click link for sermon)
Read Isaiah 53:6 and John 10:9-11
How does the shepherd and flock metaphor communicate the gospel and our rescue in Christ?
How does it speak to the ongoing vulnerability and the need for guidance, provision and protection within the flock?
Read Jeremiah 3:15
What’s the relationship between Jesus as the Good Shepherd and His provision of shepherds after His own heart?
How does this speak to the importance of connection to a local church as the Lord’s design?
Read Acts 20:26-32
What does verse 28 tell us about overseers (shepherds) in His church?
What is the role of the Holy Spirit in appointing church leaders and what is the significance?
How do verses 27 and 29-32 model how a shepherd provides care for the flock?
Read 1 Corinthians 4:14-15
How was Paul able to care for the local church in a way that their “countless guides” couldn’t?
How is this relevant to us today?
When was the last time you were helped by being lovingly admonished?
What does the following quote show us about local church in the New Testament?
“Paul instructs Titus to appoint elders (overseers) in every city (Titus 1:5; Acts 14:23) to lead, feed and protect those among them. In Phil. 1:1 he writes to the elders and deacons among the saints in Philippi. In 1 Pet. 5:2-3 there is a charge to the elders to shepherd the flock of God that the Lord has given them charge of. These are just examples of a local community that is somehow identifiable and organized… Further, Jesus’ plan for church purity in Matthew 18:15ff necessitates some type of understanding and application of membership. In 1 Cor. 5 Paul instructs the church to have the one who is persistent in sin put out of the church. How can you have someone put out of the church if you do not know who is in the church? …Church membership helps to clarify who has willingly put themselves into community and under the pastoral care of the church. We know who is a part of the family. This clarifies community and accountability.” Erik Raymond
What does the following quote say about the benefit and necessity of spiritual leadership?
“(God’s design for His flock is) the benefit of receiving the care of, and being accountable to, spiritual leaders. Hebrews 13:17 says every believer must “obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls.” This command assumes that you have a covenant with certain spiritual leaders. They are responsible for you and you to them… Some people may say, “I am accountable only to God. ” Ultimately, only God has authority over you. But the doctrine of sin should sober us about making ourselves the sole judges over our own hearts, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jer. 17:9). Hebrews 3:13 says we need others to exhort us “daily” lest we become hardened by sin. Some people may say, “I am accountable only to God. ” Ultimately, only God has authority over you. But the doctrine of sin should sober us about making ourselves the sole judges over our own hearts, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jer. 17:9). Hebrews 3:13 says we need others to exhort us “daily” lest we become hardened by sin. Tim Keller
How does church membership relate to biblical accountability?
What role does accountability play in fostering spiritual growth within the church community?
Read Hebrews 3:12-13
How can church membership help individuals to express mutual love and accountability?
How can we cultivate trust in relationships within our church community?
What are some ways to encourage others in the congregation to remain engaged and rooted in their spiritual community?
Why is it important to seek the Lord about where to be planted?
When considering where to be planted, why is it necessary to ask “Do I see the leaders here as my shepherds?”
In which ways can we ensure we remain ‘planted’ in our local church amidst challenges and distractions?