Membership: Frequently Asked Questions
What is Membership?
Membership is the primary way an individual publicly commits to sacrificially, generously and intentionally pursuing the mission and vision of DSBC. Members are not a “special class” of Christian. It is simply a way to identify a deep level of commitment to our local church family.
The weight of entering into a covenant may be diminished in our culture where promises are made casually and broken vows are the norm. But we use the language intentionally to communicate that membership is to be entered into with sobriety and commitment. Should you choose to become a member of DSBC you are acknowledging that you desire to be held to a higher degree of responsibility by church leadership. In choosing to become a member, you are also receiving the promise of counsel, service, aid, prayer, teaching and guidance from the leadership.
As Mark Dever puts it in his book “9 Marks of a Healthy Church”:
“…church membership has developed as an attempt to help us grasp hold of each other in responsibility and love. By identifying ourselves with a particular church, we let the pastors and other members of that local church know that we intend to be committed in attendance, giving, prayer and service. We increase others’ expectations of us in these areas, and we make it known that we are the responsibility of this local church. We assure the church of our commitment to Christ in serving with them, and we call for their commitment to serve us in love and to encourage us in our discipleship.”
Why is making this covenant so important?
We do not grow in our faith and relationships within the church family when we leave as soon as things get tough. As a church family, we are committed to making disciples of Jesus who live out the implications of the gospel by growing in spiritual maturity and holiness. This means you will often be challenged by things you hear from the pulpit, in a missional community or as you serve. Sometimes you will be called to being faithful Christ by stepping out of your comfort zone. Sometimes decisions will be made that don’t align with your preferences. All of this means that one day, you will experience conflict within the church family (something that has been happening since the church formed).
When we experience conflict and discomfort, our natural inclination is to run away. If all we are doing is ‘dating’ the church without investment or commitment, you may be tempted to simply move on as soon as the initial fondness fades. After all, there is another church down the road. But just like in the covenant of marriage, growth happens when we stay true to our commitment, address sin and conflict and allow ourselves to be challenged and stretched. That’s where sanctification happens. That’s where disciples are made. That’s where real joy is found.
What are members asked to do?
At DSBC, our mission is advanced through three primary elements: Service, Community and Worship. We ask members to commit to participating in all three by serving within our church or community, participating in a smaller gathering of believers (Missional Communities) and gathering on Sundays to worship Jesus together. These elements are only able to advance as we rely on the Lord through faith, prayer and sacrificial giving. We ask all members to participate in these as well.
Why does DSBC have ‘members?’
God refers to the Church as a family or a body (1 Corinthians 12:12). This image of the church shows that while the church family is made up of unique individuals, we are meant to work together as a unified whole under Jesus, who is the head of the body, the church (Colossians 1:18).
Together as a church family, we are called to participate in God’s redemptive mission. This call is not limited to church leaders. Rather, our leaders are called to ‘equip the saints for the work of the ministry’ (Ephesians 4). We are called to work together to function as one body…a unified whole… consisting of many individuals with Jesus as our head. When all believers embrace the importance of their role in the local church the body of Christ is able to function and grow in love and strength.
While we affirm people’s freedom to engage in the local church at their own pace, we feel compelled to challenge followers of Christ to be intentional, committed, generous and sacrificial in their involvement rather than remaining as a consumer or passive observer. Your intentional participation in the local body of Christ is simply too important for your own health and the health of the body.
If we are going to function as a unified whole, a body on mission together, it is important to know who is committed to this mission. Membership provides a way to determine who is committed to the mission, believes, mission and values of DSBC. It is not meant to be divisive or elitist. It is not meant to create difference classes within the church. It simply recognizes that there are people within any expression of the body of Christ at varying levels of commitment – and that’s OK. But as an intentional community with a mission and a purpose, it is helpful to know who is committed and who is simply curious.
What’s the difference between a member and someone who frequently attends DSBC events?
We are on a mission from Jesus to, by His power, transform people to impact their world for Christ. Members are those who have formally aligned themselves with the mission, values, beliefs and vision of our church family.
Members voluntarily place themselves under the protection, accountability and care of our Pastors and Elders. Contrary to the common consumer mentality of our culture, members voluntarily commit to sacrificing their time, talents, and treasure; committing to the care and community of their fellow members; and submitting to the authority of the leadership that God has established to lead our local church family.
Why should I become a member?
If you are a Christian who believes in the mission, values and vision of DSBC, we invite you to pray about becoming a member. If there is hesitation, or if you have any questions or concerns, please speak with one of our Pastors or Elders.
What is a “covenant of fellowship”?
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 (Ezekiel 20:44, 36:22, Psalm 76:11, Hosea 2:19-20 3:1, 2 Timothy 2:13). A covenant is what we would use to describe the vows between a husband and his wife, and between God and His people. We ask our members to sign a covenant to formally identify with this local church family and to make a public commit to striving towards its mission, values, beliefs and vision.
The covenant is not a legal document or some sort of cultic rite. It is an affirmation, an agreement, and a source of accountability for both the church and its individual members.
Do members have to be baptized?
Jesus calls everyone that follows Him to be baptized. We strongly encourage everyone considering membership to be baptized as an act of faithfulness to Jesus. (Matt. 28:19, Acts 2:38, 10:48, 1 Peter 3:21). If you’ve already been baptized since you became a Christian, you don’t need to get re-baptized.