Membership of
Grace Redemption Fellowship
Whenever anyone is born again he or she becomes part of the Church and all who belong to the Church have responsibilities to one another. For example, God commands His people to:
- Meet with one another (Hebrews 10:25)
- Befriend one another (Romans 15:7)
- Pray for one another (Ephesians 6:18)
- Be generous to one another (1 Peter 4:9–10)
- Support one another (Ephesians 4:2)
- Comfort one another (1 Thessalonians 4:18)
- Encourage one another (Hebrews 3:13)
- Edify one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
- Stir one another to good works (Hebrews 10:24)
- Admonish one another (Colossians 3:16)
- Honour one another (Romans 12:10)
- Submit to one another (Ephesians 5:21)
- Serve one another (Galatians 5:13)
- Bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2)
- Love one another (John 3:10-23, 4:7-12)
Each of these responsibilities has a corresponding privilege. For example, we must pray for one another but by the same token we know that others are praying for us. We must admonish one another: others will admonish us when it is necessary.
To fulfil these responsibilities and to enjoy these privileges is not an optional extra; it is part of being a Christian.
People who become members of Grace Redemption Fellowship are formalising a relationship that already exists. They are in effect saying, “I look to the other members of this group of believers to provide for me the privileges of belonging to the Church and I commit myself to fulfil the responsibilities of belonging to the Church toward them.” They attend meetings of the church whenever possible, take part in the work of the church according to their ability and they give regularly to support the work of the church.
To become a member of a local church, such as ours, is a long-term commitment. However, when circumstances dictate membership may be transferred from one church to another.
It is clear that membership can only be open to those who have been born again and who show that to be so by the way they live. Sometimes, when it becomes clear that a member is not living as a Christian, membership may be discontinued after the procedure laid down in God’s Word (Matthew 18:15 – 17) has been followed.
Anyone who wishes to become a member of Grace Redemption Fellowship should apply to the elders of the church.