Membership

WHY DOES ANTHEM CHURCH HAVE "MEMBERS"?

We are, in essence, an independent church. Every Acts 29 and SBC church is completely autonomous. We are not subject to the hierarchical control of any ecclesiastical or denominational body. Each church is self-governed and determines its own affairs. For example:

Every Acts 29 & SBC church chooses its own elders/pastors.

Every Acts 29 & SBC church owns its own buildings and assets.

Every Acts 29 & SBC church determines its own programs and polity.

Every Acts 29 & SBC church contextualizes its mission to the unique culture it is part of.

We are a church, and the Bible uses the metaphor of a body to descripe the church (1 Corinthians 12:12). It's a beautiful ilustration of how we're each created to serve different functions, we need everyone to function in order to be a healthy body, and all of us seperate parts find purpose and unity under Jesus, "the head of the body, the church" (Colossians 1:18). Members are the church (Ephesians 2:19,20,21,22).

HOW DO I BECOME A MEMBER?

Membership begins on The City. It involves attending our six-week Gospel Class and speaking with a few of our leaders. For a Christian, it's quite simple really. If you're interested in membership, have attended our services, simply logon to The City and search "membership." The Gospel Class sessions are:

I. Identity	II. Worship	III. Community

IV. Mission	V. Stewardship	VI. Scriptures

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEMBERS AND JUST ATTENDING?

At Anthem Church, we make a distinction between “members” and “guests.” If you’re not a member, then you’re technically a guest that remains to a certain extent separated from our church family, and separated from the maturity, protection, accountability, and care that comes with being an active part of the church. This may not make much difference for visitors and non-Christians, but Christians who consume rather than commit to a local church do a disservice to Jesus’ body (the church) and themselves. Members, on the other hand, participate as the church: sacrificing time, talents, and treasure; committing to the care and community of their fellow members; and submitting to the authority God has established to lead our congregation. In short, the difference between a member and a non-member is that members are “on mission.”

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE "ON MISSION"?

To be on mission means that you’re a Christian, that you’re identity is founded in Jesus, and that you embody the Anthem Church mission statement by living a life of worship to Jesus, a life of fellowship with other Christians, and a life of mission to non-Christians (Matt. 28:18-20). These expressions are only possible with an identity established in Jesus.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BEING A MEMBER?

This isn’t Blockbuster, it isn’t a country club, and it isn’t 24-Hour Fitness. Again, members are the church. ‘’In love [God] predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ…So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God’’ (Eph. 1:4-5; 2:19).

You don’t join for the perks–although members do enjoy greater access to The City, and certain volunteer opportunities are only available to members. The benefit is that we get to worship Jesus together, serve in His kingdom, and be children of God! We enjoy the guidance that his Word provides, and, when sin comes between us, we enjoy the reconciliation Jesus’ blood provides.

WHY SHOULD I BECOME A MEMBER?

Anthem Church is a family, adopted by God (Gal. 4:6-7; Eph. 1:5). We care for each other, pray for each other, and serve together. If you’re already a Christian, if you’re already in some form of Anthem community, if you’re already giving of your finances and your time, then you’re already fulfilling some functions of a member. Without making an official commitment, however, we cannot provide the same level of pastoral care and community support, in part because we may not know who you are, and in part because the Bible requires that we take care of our family first (Eph. 2:19 cf. Gal. 6:10).

If you’re not a Christian, don’t worry about membership just yet. We welcome you as our guest and are here to serve you in any way we can. If you are a Christian who has spent a lot of time at Anthem Church, however, search your heart and identify your hesitation. There may be valid reasons to abstain from Anthem Church membership. But we’re rebels by our cursed nature; if you bristle at the very idea of becoming a member, ask yourself why–and don’t hesitate to speak with one of our leaders.

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. –1 Corinthians 12:12