Membership
Membership
We believe that God’s heart and design for every person is to be connected in the life of a local church. It is in community that we learn how to live and love like Jesus. One of the central ways that happens at Cascades is through Membership.
What is Church Membership?
Membership is about more than having the right to vote at our Annual General Meetings. It’s a choice to commit to our church community and mission by contending to make Jesus known through your words, lifestyle, and relationships within our community and beyond.
A Commitment to the Local Church
Scripture teaches that all believers in Jesus Christ are part of His Church. One of the metaphors that the Bible uses to describe the church is that it is the “Body of Christ.’ Romans 12:5 reads, “So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another”. Shortly after that we are encouraged to “Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves.” (Romans 12:10).
When a person puts their trust in Jesus as Lord and Saviour, God establishes an invisible, unbreakable bond that links us to Christ and to one another. The basis for this unity and commitment to one another is Jesus Himself. Scripture teaches that Christ so loved the Church He sacrificially gave His life for the Church (Ephesians 5:25). Jesus is not simply committed to the Church, He’s also united Himself to it.
As His people we respond by committing ourselves to one another. While Scripture doesn’t use the language of Church Membership, we believe the New Testament points towards it.
When a believer commits to a local church they are following the example and commands of Jesus.
A Commitment to Mission of the Church
Jesus gives us the mission His Father gave to Him. In John 20:21 Jesus says, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” This mission is to lead people to become fully devoted followers of Jesus and His Way (Matthew 28:18-20).
As a member of Cascades you are not only committing to loving Jesus, you are making a commitment to participate and support the mission of this church.
A Counter to Consumer Culture
We live in age where the consumer-mindset is one of dominant ways of thinking and interacting with the world.
This mindset interacts with the world like a customer would with a business, as one who should be served, as one who looks for what they can receive. Church membership rejects this mindset and offers a radical alternative (Romans 12:1-2). Becoming a Member is a declaration that you are not a consumer of the church’s goods and services, but one who will contend to make Jesus Christ known through your words, actions, attitudes both within our community and beyond to our city.
Commitment of Members
Gathering to Worship
Faithfulness in gathering to worship (Hebrews 10:24-25) and in participating the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26-29; Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7, I Corinthians 11:23-32).
Growing to Become like Jesus
Growing in manifesting the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life. That is, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
Growing in awareness and the exercise of your spiritual gifts (Romans 12:1-8, I Corinthians 12:1-13, Ephesians 4:7-16, 1 Peter 4:7-11).
Go on Jesus’s Mission
Supporting the mission of the church by serving in ministries of our church and being faithful in financial giving in keeping with the teachings of I Corinthians 16:2 and 2 Corinthians 9:7.
Supporting the church community, including upholding the constitution and complying with these bylaws and the policies of the Society in effect from time to time.
If you call Cascades Church ‘home’ we challenge you to choose to commit to the mission and vision that God has given us for our city and our church. Take the step of saying, “I’m in. This my home. Count me in, Jesus” by becoming a Member.
How Do I Become a Member?
Membership is open to anyone who identifies as a follower of Jesus Christ, who is seeking to live in obedience to His Way as revealed in the Scriptures, and who has completed the following steps:
1. Complete the Following Jesus Today Course
This course covers 5 key areas of discipleship devoted followers of Jesus must understand for experiencing the fullness of life God wants for us. Learn more.
2. Complete the Way of Jesus Course
This course equips you to participate in the mission and the vision of the church. Learn more.
3. Meet with a Church Leader and Share your testimony
Meet with a Church Leader and share your short testimony. This can be a very a meaningful and encouraging moment as the leader listens to your story, encourage you, and pray for you.
4. Be baptized
Baptism is simply part of being a follower of Jesus. It’s a public declaration that you have identified with Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection such that you will live the rest of your life dedicated to Him. At Cascades we practice baptism by immersion. Learn more.
5. Agree to and Sign Membership Covenant
Interested? Let us know!