Becoming A Member
Leadership at Cross Point Community Church Starts with Jesus
At the same time, the elders and deacons are convenanted to assist members first and foremost, to love, lead, provide counsel and aid, pray for, teach, and guide them.
Membership Covenant
Introduction
“…Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12: 1-2
As Christians, we are members of God’s household (Eph. 2:19) called to function, participate, and minister in a particular place within the body of Christ. We have been saved for a purpose.
“For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them…” –Romans 12: 3-8
Being a member of Cross Point is really about being part of a family. All members are disciples of Jesus, unified by their identity in Christ.
A healthy body requires that each member do its part well. A healthy church requires the same: members who are sacrificially committed and well-equipped to do the works of service that God has prepared in advance for us to do (Eph. 2:10; 4:12).
Cross Point holds its members in high regard; we expect them to lead as missionaries of the gospel to the culture. God, in his sovereignty, placed us in Wamego, among these people, in this century, for a reason (Acts 17:26-27).
This unity is expressed in the way they collaborate in loving God, loving fellow Christians, and loving non-Christians. Members who enter into a covenant with their local church are called to a higher degree of responsibility and service. At the same time, the elders and deacons are covenanted to assist members first and foremost, to love and lead, provide counsel and aid, and pray for, teach, and guide them.
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace…” – 1 Peter 4: 8-10
Church Covenant
That the Bible is the inspired, inerrant, and infallible word of God and is the basis for any statement of faith. We as a body of baptized believers in Jesus Christ, are committed to the study and teaching of the bible, believing that it is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness, that believers may be equipped for every good work.
To, by the working of the Holy Spirit of God, walk together in christian love.
To strive for the advancement of the church in knowledge and holiness.
To contribute, as led by the Holy Spirit of God, to the ministry by giving of my time, talents and treasures. to establish kingdom building churches, to help the poor and to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.
To sustain the churches worship, discipline, doctrine and ordinances which are baptism and communion.
To seek ways to maintain a devotional life both personal and in our families, educate our children in the truth of scripture and to seek out others that we can reach in our sphere of influence for the gospel of Jesus Christ.
To walk uprightly in the world, be just in our dealings in the world, and be zealous in our efforts to further the kingdom of God.
To watch over one another in brotherly love, remember one another in prayer, aid one another in sickness and distress, be watching of our attitudes and speech to one another, slow to take offense of one another, always ready to reconcile with one another.
Having received Jesus Christ as lord and savior, by the working of the holy spirit.
Having professed our faith in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, we most solemnly and joyfully enter into a covenant with one another, as one body of Christ.
A covenant is a promise by which we obligate ourselves to one another in such a way that the obligation of one party is not dependent on the faithfulness of the other(Ezek. 20:44; 36:22; Ps. 76:11; Hos. 2:19-20; 3:1; 2 Tim. 2:13).
The Cross Point covenant includes a statement of faith, a statement of biblical doctrine, the obligations of Cross Point to its members, and the obligations of members to Cross Point. Though the covenant does define the relationship between members and the church, it is first and foremost a promise made to God as a commitment to his glory and his bride, the church (Eph. 5:25).
I am a Christian saved from the eternal wrath of God by faith in Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, through his death and resurrection, by which I am assured of eternal life (John 3:16-18; Rom. 3:23-26).
I believe Jesus Christ is exactly who he claimed to be (Isa. 53:6; Matt. 26:64; Mark 14:62; Luke 22:70; John 4:25-26; 6:29; 8:58; 11:25-27; 14:6-7; 15:5).
I have repented of my sins and have been made a new creation in Christ (1 John 1:9; 2 Cor. 5:17).
In obedience to Scripture, I have been baptized to personally identify with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, and to publicly demonstrate my commitment as a disciple of Jesus (Col. 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21).
My Obligation to Cross Point Community Church as a Member
I have read and understood the Cross Point doctrinal statement and will not be divisive to its teaching. I also understand the importance of submission to church leadership and will be diligent to preserve unity and peace (Eph. 4:1-3; Heb. 13:7, 17).
I covenant to submit to the authority of Scripture as the final arbiter on all issues (Ps. 119; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).
I will maintain a close relationship with the Lord Jesus through regular Bible reading, prayer, fellowship, and practice of spiritual disciplines. My relationship will be evident through my participation in weekly worship services, communion, Cross Point community, service, and a life that glorifies Jesus(Ps. 105:1-2; Ps. 119:97; Acts 2:42-47; Heb. 10:23-25; 2 Peter 1:3).
I will steward the resources God has given me, including my time, talents, and treasure (Prov. 3:9-10; Rom. 12:1-2; Gal. 5:22-26; Eph. 4:1-16; 5:15-18).
This includes financial giving, service, and participation in community that is sacrificial, cheerful, and voluntary (Rom. 12:1-8; 2 Cor. 8-9; 12:7-31; 1 Peter 4:10-11).
I will not function in leadership or as a member in another church family (Heb. 13:17). I covenant to submit to discipline by God through his Holy Spirit, to follow biblical procedures for church discipline in my relationships with brothers and sisters in Christ, to submit to righteous discipline when approached biblically by brothers and sisters in Christ, and to submit to discipline by church leadership if the need should ever arise (Ps. 141:5; Matt. 18:15-17; 1 Cor. 5:1-5; 2 Cor. 2:5-8; Gal. 6:1-5 8; 1 Tim. 5:20; 2 Tim. 2:25; Titus 1:9; 3:10-11; Heb. 12:5-11; Rev. 2:5-7, 14-25).
I agree, by God’s grace, to walk in holiness as an act of worship to Jesus Christ, who has saved me from my sin that I could live a new life (2 Cor. 5:17);
I will practice complete chastity before marriage and complete fidelity in heterosexual marriage by abstaining from practices such as cohabitation, pornography, and fornication (Job 31:1; Prov. 5; Rom. 13:12-14; 1 Cor. 6:9-7:16; Heb. 13:4);
I will refrain from illegal drug use, drunkenness, and other sinful behavior as the Bible, my pastors, and my conscience dictate (1 Cor. 8:7; Gal. 5:19-21).
Should I sin in such a manner, I agree to confess my sins to Christian brothers or sisters and seek help to put my sin to death (Rom. 8:13; Col. 3:5; 1 John 1:6-10).
My Commitment to the Mission of Cross Point Community Church
The mission of Cross Point Community Church is first and foremost to glorify God. To know Him and make Him known. To make disciples that make disciples that result in a transformation of our lives, our families and our community.
I have read the mission statement of Cross Point Community Church and commit to participate in this mission as a diligent, faithful disciple of Jesus, that my identity would be in Him, my worship would be for Him, my fellowship would be through Him, and my interaction with the culture would be for His glory.
I understand that this covenant obligates me to the members of Cross Point and is an acknowledgment of my submission to the elders of the church. I accept the responsibility to notify Cross Point leadership if at any time I can no longer commit to this covenant, or if I have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding Cross Point Community Church.
As the final step in membership, you’ll meet with a pastor for a final membership interview. This is an opportunity to confirm your commitment and ask any questions before being installed as a member.
The interview will take less than an hour. Here is an example of the questions we will ask:
- What is the good news of Jesus Christ?
- When and how did you come into a relationship with Christ?
- Do you have any questions about the church?
- Do you have any questions about membership?
- Have you been baptized?
- Do you have any concerns about how the church is set-up?
- Any other concerns that you have?
Other questions may arise during the process. This is not something to fear, we just want to know you and to answer any questions you might have.
Non-Members
We encourage non-members to get involved and to see how the church works. We encourage you as non-members to help and serve. The areas to get involved in include: set-up, tear down, audio ministry, video ministry and visual ministry. Come and talk to us about how involvement might look for you.
If you want to become a member, please indicate so through our Next Step Form, and a pastor will be in touch!
Facebook: Either Cross Point Community Church page or Jol Klein’s personal page
Texting: (785) 556-4017
E-mail: jol@crosspointwamego.com
Cell: (785) 556-4017
