Expectations for Members
Members of Gethsemane Christian Church are expected to commit to living a life that honors God, being obedient to His Word and actively participating in being a part of a growing ministry where our purpose is to fulfill the call, purpose and destiny that God has for our Church. The requirements for membership are that you have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and you have been water baptized. As a member, you are expected to:
1. Attend Church – Heb 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” – As Children of God our Father, all Christians are brothers and sisters. We are united by our faith in Christ, and the same Holy Spirit dwells within each of us. As a family of believers, we should participate in the corporate life of the church as much as possible (e.g. Sunday School and Worship, Weekly Bible Study, Weekly Corporate Prayer Meetings, etc.) Every service is planned with you in mind to allow you the opportunity to come together with other believers.
2. Pray – Php 4:6 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Prayer is the most wonderful and powerful tool in the Christian tool chest. Through prayer we make contact with the God who created and sustained the entire universe. Yet, at the same time, nothing can be simpler than prayer, for praying is talking and listening to God. Every member of GCC is expected to pray for the Church as well as participate in our cooperate prayer. You must have a fruitful prayer life in order to commune with God.
3. Attend Bible Study – 2Ti 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” The Bible is the Word of God and therefore the supreme authority for all Christians. It is God’s written communication to humanity. The Christian who wants to hear God speaking to them individually and personally will turn to the Bible. One way in which to do that is to regularly participate in Sunday School Classes, Bible Study, Women’s/Men’s Fellowship and other opportunities that God had given to allow us to grow in the knowledge of His word and establish a closer relationship with Him and with one another. You are also encouraged to read the Bible daily. No Christian can grow in Christ without reading the Bible.
4. Support the Church through Tithes & Offerings – Mal 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Tithing is the practice of giving ten percent of our income back to God. Our reason for tithing is to acknowledge that all we have has come from God and by returning to Him our tithe, we express both our gratitude for what we have received and our faith that God will continue to supply our needs. The tithe cannot be given directly to God so we should financially support the ministry of the local church in which you belong which is Gethsemane Christian Church as a tither and as God enables and directs in our offerings. The offerings are over and beyond the tithe.
5. Serve – 1Co 14:26 “How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.” The Church is not complete without you. The gifts that God has given you are meant to be used to help your fellow Christians. There are many ways for you to serve in the church throughout the year by giving of your time and abilities (e.g. teaching or caring for children, mowing the lawn, serving on a ministry team, visiting the sick, etc.)
6. Accountability – Rom 14:12 “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” We all understand that we are accountable to God but we are also accountable to each other. Pro 27:17 “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” Accountability allows us to be answerable to one another, focusing on key relationships such as with our spouse, family, close friends, coworkers, a boss, church members, and pastor. It is sharing, in confidence, our heartfelt Christian journey in an atmosphere of trust. We can give an answer for what we do and understand where we need help in areas where we are weak and struggling, where and how we are growing, what we are learning, and to be encouraged. These precepts help us to stay on track, and get prayer, care, and support when we fail. We can also model guideposts for one another in order to keep going.
Get involved in the ministry to ensure that you a part of what is going on.
