The Lighthouse Church, Forres Principle of Membership

 

1. Membership: In the World Wide Christian Church

We believe that all people who have faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour become members of His worldwide family of Christians. This is a family that spans thousands of years and cul­tures and includes many different types of Chris­tian denominations/fellowships/communities.

 

2. Membership: In a Local Church

We believe that Jesus desires that Christians join with a local group of believers. This is so they may grow in faith and understanding and help towards a similar growth in others. This is how the Christian message is brought to each new generation.

 

The Lighthouse Church, Forres sees itself as one such local group or community of Christians. It is a collection of people who are at some point on a personal journey of faith in Jesus.

 

3. Membership: The Lighthouse Church1

We see Membership as a tool to enabling people to share their journey of faith with others. We also see it as a way of enabling people to partici­pate in the spiritual development and direction of The Lighthouse Church, Forres as a whole.

 

(1. This refers to adult membership rather than junior as described in The Lighthouse Church, Forres Constitution.)

 

4. Membership: A facility to help growth

We believe that Jesus shapes each community of Christians through the people he draws to it. As the ingredients determine the flavour of a cake so too the ‘flavour' of a local church re­flects the characters of those involved in its growth and development. We believe that Jesus speaks to the local church by His Spirit working through the personality, experience, skills and needs that each person brings with them. Membership is a means by which people can have a voice as the church wrestles with issues of development, growth and change.

 

5. Membership: Why have a Membership at all?

Membership is not intended to be exclusive. Indeed, sincere ideas and points of view on issues are welcome from all. We believe that associating with other Christians and Christian communities allows Jesus to overcome 'blind spots' within the church and bring fresh perspectives.

 

However, it would seem strange to enable some­body with no real heart, or only nominal interest, for the church to profoundly influence the shape and ministry of that church. Imagine if somebody with only a passing interest in you or your family were able to have a say in how you spent your income or what type of car you were to drive etc. We see Membership in The Lighthouse Church, Forres as a way of ensuring that it is those with a real heart for the future and health of the church that shape it. This way Membership is not based on experience, gifts or abilities. Rather it is based simply on a sense that this is where God wants an individual to be for a particular period of time in their lives (how­ever long or short).

 

6. Membership: The Need for Points of Agreement

An organisation’s health is determined by the measure of agreement and unity that bind the people involved together. Minimum points of reference on which all agree are foundational to any group. With The Lighthouse Church this is expressed in our Basis of Faith and reflected in our Constitution and Vision Statement.

 

We recognise that Christians differ in their opinions on many issues. However, we also believe that there is widespread agreement on the basic beliefs that are foundational to the Christian faith. These are contained in the above-mentioned documents which serve as the basic chords of unity within The Lighthouse Church.

 

7. Membership: Who is Membership for?

Membership in The Lighthouse Church is for those who live locally and who a) agree with the Basis of Faith , and Constitution b) are sympathetic to the Vision Statement and general character of the church and c) sense that Jesus is drawing them to continue their journey of faith through;

  1. The challenge of participating in His work in and through this particular church community.

  2. The challenge of building up others in faith in whatever way one is able and comfortable with.

  3. The challenge to receive -  to allow God to use others to encourage and build them up in faith.