What is expected of members?

Our members consist of people who have made a real commitment to follow Jesus and participate in the local expression of his church. For us, a commitment to Jesus is demonstrated in a growing love for God, others, and an engagement in the process of helping others grow in their relationship with God and others. Browncroft defines the commitment to the local expression of Jesus’ church as a commitment to participating in the process of creating environments where people can become and grow as followers of Jesus. We express the process of creating these environments with the words Begin, Belong, and Serve.

Begin: Whether new to the faith or new to the church, we desire to create environments where people feel accepted and inspired to take the next step in their faith journey.

Belong: The heart of the church experience is involvement in meaningful relationships with others. We desire to help connect people into small groups where spiritual formation and true community take place.

Serve: Ultimately, following Jesus leads to making a difference in the lives of others. We desire to help people discover the joy and satisfaction of using their gifts to fulfill God’s purpose for their lives.

The answer to this question is different for every person. As a minimum, we ask that people who are considering membership be persons who have chosen to follow Jesus as the sole-leader of their lives. If this is true, then we would encourage that one ask and answer the following questions:

1. Does the mission of Browncroft make my heart beat fast?
2. Do I see opportunities where I can contribute to this mission?
3. Will I be honored and cared for as I labor for this mission?

If you can answer affirmatively to these questions, then we would encourage you to attend Connecting Point to begin the membership process. If you would like more information on a relationship with Jesus, we would encourage you to visit our Starting Point page.

Where in the Bible is the concept of church membership found??

When a person makes a commitment to follow Jesus they become part of Jesus’ church, an eternal and universal group of people who have experienced God’s forgiveness of sin and have Jesus as the leader of their life (Matthew 16.13-18; Romans 12.4-5; 1 Corinthians 12.12-12; and Ephesians 2.11-22).

However, the Bible also assumes that those who are part of this eternal and universal group of people align themselves and participate in a local assembly or gathering of people of like faith (1 Corinthians 1.2; 16.19; Colossians 4.15-16; Hebrews 10.24-25).

When one becomes a participating member of Browncroft Community Church, we recognize that this person is one who is first a member of Jesus’ eternal and universal church who has chosen to express their faith and live out their God given abilities in the context of this local gathering of Jesus’ followers.
 

How long does the membership process take??

In general, the process for becoming a member is not long. In Connecting Point, the steps for becoming a member are discussed:

1. Joining in a lifestyle of worship
2. Becoming part of a Community or Lifestage Group
3. Choosing an area of service
4. Committing to giving the tithe or moving toward the tithe
5. Filling out an online application
6. Sharing your testimony with the Membership Team
7. Signing a Membership Covenant

We find that in general, people usually attend for three to six months before deciding to become a member, but one need not wait this long to beginning the membership process.

Do I have to attend Connecting Point?

What is Browncroft’s statement of Faith? What if I disagree?

Browncroft’s statement of faith is an evangelical statement of faith. Certain doctrinal statements such as the nature of God and people, the mission of the church, and the means of the forgiveness of sins form the core of any evangelical faith and are viewed as non-negotiables. If an individual is in specific disagreement with one of these central doctrines, this is a significant issue and membership should not be pursued until these disagreements are addressed.

Apart from these core doctrines, there are many areas of faith in which intelligent and growing Christ-followers disagree or hold different views (end time scenarios, predestination and free-will debates are examples). Within these areas, members of Browncroft are free to hold their own understanding as long as such an understanding is scripturally based and disagreements are discussed in ways that are edifying and not disruptive to the church. The following attitudes or behaviors in regard to doctrinal disagreements, however, are not acceptable for participating members of Browncroft:

1. Attempts to convince or win over others to one’s doctrinal viewpoint
2. Divisive or disruptive behavior that belittles those who hold a different view
3. Holding to a position with such an intensity that one is unable to see the view of another or work with a person of a different view in love
    

The New Testament teaches that the church is led by a plurality of godly persons whom God has called to equip and shepherd His people (Ephesians 4.11-13; 1 Timothy 3.1-13; Titus 1.5-9). In the case of Browncroft, the biblical guidelines for leadership take two forms, staff and elders. Among these, the senior pastor and elders take primary responsibility for setting and maintaining the spiritual vision of Browncroft while the remaining staff with the support of individual elders engage in the process of equipping the members of Browncroft to carry out the vision and mission of the church.

In keeping with the biblical example of leadership, those whom God has placed in positions of leadership are responsible for shepherding and equipping God’s people and God’s people are responsible for supporting and submitting to their leaders in a loving way. Scripture teaches that the leaders bear the ultimate responsibility for their watch-care over the church (Hebrews 13.17).

With this in mind, the leaders of Browncroft move forward judiciously, bathing each and every decision in prayer, asking for God’s wisdom and direction. In cases where members disagree with the direction charted by leaders, such issues should be addressed with humility and an attitude of mutual submission and love with the individual leaders (Ephesians 5.21; 1 Corinthians 16.14).

If after such a dialogue, the person agrees with the leader then membership may be sought. However, if a strong disagreement still exists then we do not recommend that one seek membership.  

We do not require that a person be baptized to become a member of Browncroft Community Church. Rather, we ask that all who desire to be members express that they

1. Have come to a point in their life where they have chosen to follow Jesus and accept his forgiveness of sin;
2. Have attended Connecting Point and taken the necessary steps to becoming part of the life of our faith family
3. They agree to the Articles of Faith and Mission and Vision of Browncroft
4. Lve a life that strives for purity in keeping with the commands of Scripture. That said, we strongly encourage those who desire to be members and have not been baptized to take this step as a witness to others concerning their relationship with Jesus.

To find out more about baptism at Browncroft, click here.