Membership (How to Be a Part of Our Faith Family)
Soon after people begin to attend Generations Community Church, they will be visited by a member of our Leadership Team or someone designated by them. They will discuss with these newcomers their relationship with God, the story and culture of Generations and other matters as they arise. Those who have experienced the life-changing grace of our Lord Jesus and desire to make Generations their “church home” are welcomed to participate as members. The general rule, so far as we are concerned, for receiving members is found in Romans 15:7. “Therefore accept (welcome) one another just as Christ has accepted (welcomed) you.”
Expectations of a Generations Member
Membership at Generations is simple. It’s all about our relationship to two important articles: our Statement of Faith (doctrinal statement) and the Seven Markers. Our Statement of Faith describes what we consider to be the essential beliefs of a follower of Jesus. The Seven Markers describe the essential practices of a follower of Jesus. The Statement of Faith and the Seven Markers are found immediately following this section. If someone attending Generations regularly can agree with these articles, that person is accepted into membership.
Some of us may have questions about, or different points of view on, our Statement of Faith. As long as you are willing to explore your questions and differences with humility and respect for the beliefs of others, this is no barrier to membership. Some of us may be intimidated by the Seven Markers and fear that we don’t measure up. At Generations we believe that walking with God is about progress not perfection. The markers are an ideal to work toward not a standard with which to exclude potential members.
Unity of the Generations Family
At Generations, we are committed to being a community of mutual love and respect, support and accountability in the spirit of Ephesians 4:2-3, 30-31:
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. . . . 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Everyone who makes Generations their church home is expected to uphold these values.
If someone undermines or violates these principles of community, we will address the issue with them promptly with a view to restoring relationships as fully and quickly as possible as Jesus taught in Matthew 5:23-24.
If a member persists in wrong-doing or wrong-speaking, the Leadership Team will follow the process Jesus taught for restoration and reconciliation as described in Matthew 18:15-18. This process will be marked by truthful communication balanced with appropriate confidentiality, patience and gentleness. We look for a suitable solution to the problems and will establish plans for renewal along with acceptable terms of accountability.
As Paul taught in Galatians 6:1-2, the desired goal will always be the restoration of the erring person back into the community of fellowship.