Introduction to church membership:
At The Bridge Church we believe that church membership is an important aspect of discipleship. Our process for those considering membership provides the opportunity for prospective members to get to know us as they connect through relationships and ministry within the church.
As a registered charity we’re governed by a Constitution (see below) and the membership curriculum is based around our vision, mission, values, beliefs, and ministry practices expressed therein. This includes sermons related to church and membership which are then discussed in subsequent small groups.
Our aim is to help you determine whether God is leading you to make The Bridge Church your spiritual home. After going through the process for those considering membership you can decide whether you believe it’s right for you to proceed. When praying about this decision some good questions to ask are:
“Am I aligned with The Bridge Church?”
“Do I believe God is leading me to put down my roots in this church body?”
“Do I trust the leaders at The Bridge as my shepherds?”
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.
Whether you’re led to be a member at the Bridge Church or somewhere else, it’s important that each one of us commits and is accountable to a church body.
As a charity we are governed by a Constitution and Trustees in accordance with UK charity law. The Christian charity Stewardship gives helpful advice in their “Guide to churches on spiritual leadership and trustees” which is briefly included below. They write, “in church contexts, the authority to lead comes from the spiritual ‘calling’ rather than legal authority… The spiritual leadership of the church shall rest with the Spiritual Leadership. If there are Trustees who are not members of the Spiritual Leadership then their role shall be confined to the management and administration of the church in accordance with the provisions of this deed and general law. The Trustees of the church shall fulfil their legal duties having due regard to the spiritual direction of the church as set out from time to time by the Spiritual Leadership acting always in accordance with the requirements of this Deed and the general law.” Our Constitution outlines how Trustees can be appointed along with their responsibilities and powers.
See below for sermons relating to church and membership, articles that explain the importance of church membership, and an application for membership at The Bridge Church.
Sermons on church and membership:
Connecting to The Bridge Church (Vision, Mission and Values)
Connecting to The Bridge Church (Membership)
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.
Church Membership Application:
To be prepared after expressing your interest to the leadership team, completion of the new members curriculum and reading the constitution (Please answer each question in a few sentences on a separate sheet).
1. Introduction to church membership:
See top of page.
2. Personal Information:
Full Name/Address/Phone Numbers/Email address/Birth date/Marital status/Children (Please give full names and birth dates).
3. Former Church:
What is the name of the last church you joined, or the last church you attended on a regular basis?
Unless otherwise agreed with leadership, please let your former church know that you intend to join The Bridge Church and ask them to send us a transfer letter/email which says: You are a member in good standing and they are releasing you into the spiritual care of The Bridge Church
Do you have any unresolved issues pertaining to your previous church experience that we can help you with?
4. Experience of Christ
How did you come to know Christ personally as your Saviour? (please share your testimony)
Explain your understanding of the basics of the Gospel (sin and grace, how are you made right with God, who is Jesus and why did Jesus die, etc.)
Have you been baptised? If not, what are your thoughts regarding future baptism?
What is the Lord’s Supper (communion) and why is it important? (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
What do we mean by saying ‘making Jesus Lord isn’t an optional extra, but it’s real discipleship’?
What Bible verses are especially meaningful to you and why?
5. Christian Lifestyle
What effect is Jesus Christ having on your life right now?
What are your current habits regarding church attendance, regular Bible reading, prayer, fellowship, serving, and evangelism (what obstacles do you face)?
What is the difference between the Spirit “in me” (salvation) and the Spirit “upon me” (power to minister) and what can you do to continuously be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8; John 14:26; Romans 8:9-11)?
Are there currently any areas where you are accommodating sin and not fighting against it? (Note: We recognise that we all will struggle with sin from time to time, but what is important in terms of membership is (1) do you lack Biblical convictions about what God expects from His people or (2) though having Biblical convictions you have given in to sin and cease to fight against habitual sins).
How should we approach disagreements and conflict within the church body? (Matthew 18:15-17 and Titus 3:10. Click link to “Biblical Peacemaking” page at bottom of our website homepage including article addressing what to do if you think your leaders are wrong).
What is the great commission and why is it important? (Matthew 28:16-20)
6. About The Bridge Church
What are some things God has in mind for church and why is church important?
What aspects of History, Vision, Mission, and Values at The Bridge Church do you most connect with and why?
What is your understanding of church leadership, how does it relate to membership? (Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:1-7)
What does it mean that members exercise ministry functions under the direction of the leadership and why is it important to prioritise character over gifts?
When considering where to be planted, why is it necessary to ask “Do I see the leaders here as my shepherds?”
Do you have any remaining questions to ask about The Bridge Church?
7. Membership affirmations: To be a member of a church is to affirm to live according to the Word and to support the work of the congregation. As a member you make certain affirmations that are summarised as follows.
Doctrine: belief in the Gospel of Jesus and commitment to follow Him as Lord
Character: commitment to grow in likeness of Jesus empowered by His Spirit
Community: regular involvement in the life and ministry of the church
Accountability: hold yourself accountable to the leadership and one another to live up to the affirmations below and seek to be a Biblical peacemaker in your relationships.
8. Are your prepared to make the following membership affirmations?
I agree with basis of faith of this church and will seek to live by its values (see constitution).
I confess that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” and my only hope for salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone.
I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Saviour of Sinners, and I receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation as it is offered in the Gospel.
In humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit I will endeavour to live as becomes a follower of Christ.
I believe that as a follower of Christ I am called to serve Him with my gifts and abilities as an active part of His body with the motivation of bringing Him glory.
I believe that as a follower of Christ I am called to grow in His likeness with a commitment to biblical truth and moral purity.
I believe that as a follower of Christ I am called to demonstrate His love and grace in my relationships with a commitment to biblical peacemaking.
I will abide by the direction of the leadership team with regard to the spiritual life of the church and will listen carefully to their advice concerning my own life.