What is our policy on church membership/partnership?
To become a voting member/partner of ValleyChurch, you must be at least 18 years of age. To maintain your membership, you must remain active in your attendance and committed to the Partnership Covenant. Each year the membership roster is reviewed. Those who have not attended consistently for a period of more than three months are removed from the Active Membership roll. We do this to ensure that we have an accurate count of those committed to the ministry of ValleyChurch.
How does a person become a member/partner?
Experience salvation.
Attend the “Exploring ValleyChurch Partnership” sessions.
Sign the Partnership Covenant.
Be received into membership by the Church Board.
What is our Partnership Covenant?
Our Partnership Covenant is part of your Membership Card, which is completed upon your request to become an active member/partner of ValleyChurch. The covenant reads as follows:
Partnership Covenant of ValleyChurch
Having received Christ as my Lord and Savior and having been baptized in water, and being in agreement with ValleyChurch’s purpose, beliefs, values, strategy, and structure, I now feel led by the Holy Spirit to unite with the ValleyChurch family. In doing so, I commit myself to God and to the other members to do the following:
1. I will protect the unity of my church.
... By acting in love toward other members
... By refusing to gossip
... By following the leaders
“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” Romans 14:19
“Live in complete harmony with each other—each with the attitude of Christ toward each other.” Romans 15:5 (Living Bible)
“... have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.” 1 Peter 1:22
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs ...” Ephesians 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.” Hebrews 13:17
2. I will share the responsibility of my church.
... By praying for its growth
... By inviting the unchurched to attend
... By warmly welcoming those who visit
“We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.” 1 Thessalonians 1:2
“Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.” Luke 14:23
“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” Romans 15:7
“So, warmly welcome each other into the church, just as Christ has warmly welcomed you; then God will be glorified.” Romans 15:7 (Living Bible)
3. I will serve the ministry of my church.
... By discovering my gifts and talents
... By being equipped to serve
... By developing a servant’s heart
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10
“Serve one another with the particular gifts God has given each of you.” 1 Peter 4:10 (Phillips)
“It was he who 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.” Ephesians 4:11-12
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others ... but [Christ] made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant.” Philippians 2:3-4,7
4. I will support the testimony of my church.
... By attending faithfully
... By living a godly life
... By giving regularly
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” Philippians 1:27
“On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income.”
1 Corinthians 16:2
“A tithe (tenth) of everything ... belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.” Leviticus 27:30