CHURCH MEMBERS
We believe in church membership. It’s a biblical term. We read:
So, we who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
Romans 12:5
Everyone is always welcome at Destiny Church. In any given meeting, we have people of all ages, and all experiences. We have long standing members and brand new people just finding their feet. But we positively and enthusiastically encourage church membership. We want you to take that step.
We don’t assume
We do not wish to presume on people’s involvement and commitment, and neither do our pastors and leaders assume responsibility for all who attend. We think we should deliberately and consciously make commitments one to another.
You can say ‘Count me in’ bymclicking below and then a pastor will follow up with you about the membership covenant below:
We all benefit
You can attend a church, or you can be a part of it. The church, of course, is not the building, but a growing family of people who follow Jesus. The Bible makes powerful promises for those who are serious enough about their faith to commit.
The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree, He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still yield fruit in old age; They shall be full of sap and very green.
Psalm 92:12-13
There is a wealth of research from many places that prove categorically, that those who live in faith communities and regular fellowship do much better in life than those who don’t. They are happier, healthier and live longer. They are more fulfilled. They suffer less with emotional and mental health issues, and when they do suffer these things they already have a support system around them. Loneliness and isolation are a silent killer in our communities.
Solid leadership
God loves His people so much that He gives them leaders and pastors. These leaders are not more important than anybody else, or think themselves better than anybody else, but real pastors appointed by God take their role very seriously, and with good reason. They must answer to God.
Be responsive to your pastoral leaders. Listen to their counsel. They are alert to the condition of your lives and work under the strict supervision of God. Contribute to the joy of their leadership, not its drudgery. Why would you want to make things harder for them?
Hebrews 13:17 (Message Bible)
Since the pastors and leaders must answer to God for their work with His people, they need to know who exactly is in that group. For whom are they responsible? Well, membership makes that clear.
This church is structured along New Testament lines. Leaders do not appoint themselves, and we make sure that the leadership is close enough to get involved with your life in a meaningful way, and we make sure that at every level of leadership they themselves will have solid, good and clear accountability in place.
This leadership will provide mentoring for your life, prayer for your journey, challenge for your maturity, covering for your wellbeing and passion for your potential. And as we do all of this we do it all in the love and grace of God, with the Holy Spirit helping us every step of the way.
We get to play our part
Some people would rather watch others live interesting lives, than live one themselves. Regardless of our age, past life or present qualifications, we can all make a difference, we can all play our part. As Christians, the Bible teaches us that Jesus Himself has qualified us to do this.
And giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light
Colossians 1:12
We can do a lot more together than we can apart.
Playing our part will mean that we are givers, servers, prayers and friends.
Giving generously is a divine attribute. Someone once said, we are most like God when we give. The Bible teaches us to give to God and give to promote and support the work of the gospel. We will take nothing from this world with us when we leave, other than those souls saved by this amazing gospel.
I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings
1 Corinthians 9:23 (ESV)
As members and partners, we promise and commit to give for the growth of this house and to reach our city and beyond. We do this by bringing in our tithes and giving our offerings.
Serving gladly, we don’t have to serve, we get to serve. It’s a great privilege to be involved and we count it an honour. You serve by rolling up your sleeves and getting involved. Start by seeing a need and meeting it, and very soon your own unique gifts and calling will become apparent. Don’t just strive, thrive in life. Give something back.
Praying passionately. Prayer is really important, and also a big opportunity. People who start praying seriously for their church and its ministry, will soon find themselves caught up with passion in a great world changing adventure. If we have a passion for God’s house, He will have a passion for our house. You be the change.
Real friends stand by each other, even when there are challenges, or they know they need to change. We give each other space for that change whilst staying positive and walking in integrity one with another. We always speak up for the house. We speak well of the house and those in it. Jesus calls us friends and wants us to be like that with each other. Friends protect the unity of the house, resolve conflict in a discreet and godly manner, and encourage each other to take one more step and keep on going.
We are members of one another, and we would love it if you would join us.
Want to know more? Get in touch!
Those of us who make that commitment and become members agree to a member’s covenant. This is our member’s covenant:
Membership Covenant
Having received Christ as my Lord and Saviour and having been baptised, and being in agreement with Destiny’s statements, strategy, vision and structure, I now feel led by the Holy Spirit to unite with the Destiny Church family. In doing so, I commit myself to God and to the other members to do the following:
- I will protect the unity of our church
- By acting in prayerful and practical love toward other members
- By refusing to gossip
- By following the leaders with faith and passion
“So let us concentrate on the things which make for harmony among us, and on the growth of our fellowship together” – Rom 14:19
“Have a sincere love for other believers, love one another earnestly with all your heart” – 1 Peter 1:22
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but speak only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs” – Eph 4:29
“Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you” – Heb 13:17
- I will share the responsibility of our church
- By attending consistently and praying for its growth
- By actively inviting the unchurched to attend
- By seeking out and warmly welcoming those who visit
- By being discipled, discipling others and seeking out fellowship in small groups
- By sharing our church’s concern for those in need in our community
“to the church…we always thank God for you and pray for you constantly” – 1 Thes 1:1-2
“The master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes, and urge the people to come in so my house will be full” – Luke 14:23
“So, warmly welcome each other into the church, just as Christ has warmly welcomed you; then God will be glorified” – Rom 15:7
- I will serve the ministry of our church
- By learning how to operate and move in spiritual gifts
- By being equipped to serve by my pastors and leaders
- By serving over and above with a true servant’s heart
“serve one another with the particular gifts God has given each of you” – 1 Peter 4:10
“(God) gave… Some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” – Eph 4:11-12
“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who…(took on) the very nature of a servant” – Phil 2:3-4,7
- I will support the testimony of our church
- By attending faithfully and consistently
- By living a godly life and being a good witness
- By giving regularly, both tithes and offerings
“Let us not give up meeting together… but let us encourage one another” – Heb 10:25
“Whatever happens, make sure that your everyday life is worthy of the gospel of Christ” – Phil 1:27
“Each one of you, on the first day of the week, should set aside a specific sum of money in proportion to what you have earned and use it for the offering” – 1 Cor 16:2
“A tenth of (all your) produce… is the Lord’s, and is holy” – Lev 27:30
