Membership

Should someone “join” a church?  What does that mean exactly?  Many Christians believe that if they attend a particular church for some time, then they automatically are members already.  We believe that there are hints of some kind of membership systems in the early Church, but the type of membership many churches today employ is hard to find in the Scriptures or in the early Church.  Redding Christian Fellowship encourages individuals and families to officially join the church although we desire that anyone will feel welcome and warmly accepted in our services.

We believe that formal membership is important for several reasons.

1.  Membership is a way to demonstrate commitment.  Commitment is a clear biblical mandate and a formal membership is one way to tangibly demonstrate it.  Our society may be consumer-oriented but church membership is about service and ministry.
2.  Accountability is taught in Scripture.  We are accountable to God as well as to one another.  Accountability is a fundamental part of a healthy society.  It is how we mature. A formal commitment to membership demonstrates a willingness to become accountable to the leadership and ministry of a church.
3. The importance of community is seen in the many “one another” statements of Scripture.  Isolation is unhealthy.  Involvement in a local church and being a member committed to its mission is a great way to experience community.  Membership is a way to formalize a relationship.
4. Scripture says to conduct the business of the church decently and in order.  Membership is an excellent way to incorporate a kind of “quality assurance” into a church body.  It also helps the church follow state regulations regarding not for profit incorporated bodies.

A great first step in considering membership is to participate in a Discover Class offered by the church many times each year.  This class generally meets during one of the service times on Sunday and features instruction on the values and mission of Redding Christian Fellowship.  It also highlights service opportunities and provides an ideal setting to get acquainted with the operations, finances leadership,  and functions of the church.  You will hear it announced from time to time and you are encouraged to attend.