Discover » Adults » Membership

At Living Word we believe church is family. Membership is your way of committing to be a part of what God is doing here at LWM through a diverse community of believers. We hope that as a member you will actively move from the sidelines and get into the game by strategically partnering with us to love God, connect together, serve others and reach your world for Jesus Christ. We offer our Membership Class regularly as an opportunity not only to become a member but also to learn more about the vision, values and ministries of Living Word.
See when the next membership class meets.

We believe that the six criteria outlined below set reasonable standards that all can follow. Each member agreeing with and doing these things will help to make our church family strong and connected. We hope you’ll come and be a part of our local fellowship of faith at LWM!

Salvation

You must be a member of Christ’s Body before becoming a part of a local body. Being a member of a church doesn’t automatically grant you entrance into heaven, that only comes from being what the Bible calls “born again.” When you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you are born again or saved! Doing so gives you a new nature which comes from God.

When you receive Christ, He receives you. The Holy Spirit makes you a member of Christ’s universal Body. After this has happened, then you can trust Him to direct you to a specific part of His Body – a local church family, like Living Word Ministries!

(See Romans 10:9-10, John 3:3, 2 Corinthians 5:17)

God Called You to LWM

But now has God set the members, every one of them in the body, as it has pleased Him. – 1 Corinthians 12:18

God places believers in the church family of His choosing. He also wants us to respond to His prompting by faith. Each prospective member of Living Word Ministries should be able to answer the question – Is God calling me here to Living Word Ministries? – with a confident “yes!” Therefore, making Living Word Ministries one’s home church should not be done lightly, but prayerfully – as a decision of faith.

Commit to Agreement and Unity

Essentially, this means:
Members agree with the doctrine and vision of the church, and
Members will strive to work in unity and to love one another.

As part of an informed decision to choose Living Word Ministries, everyone needs to know what we believe, doctrinally and operationally. This is a two-sided relationship: members accept the authorities within the church, and the leadership accepts a degree of responsibility for members’ spiritual care, under Christ. Members need to understand and submit to this working relationship. This authority and order is for a specific aim—that the purposes of God can be achieved at LWM by working together.

Membership Class

To become a member of Living Word you must complete the LWM Membership Class. This class is held on a Sunday—four times a year—with dates and times to be announced. During Membership Class, all candidates meet the pastoral staff, receive LWM information and resources, and are able to ask questions relevant to membership.

Actively Contribute

LWM members agree to be active financial contributors to the church. No one expects friends to pay the bills of the house; the family provides for that, and members of Living Word Ministries are the church’s family. Family works together to keep the household intact, financially and otherwise.

The Bible says that tithing – giving 10% of our income – is to be a part of the faith life of every believer. This is between you and the Lord. However, an important criterion for LWM church membership is regular financial giving.
(See Matthew 23:23, Luke 11:39-42, Hebrews 7:5-8, Malachi 3:10-12, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2)

Serve

We expect all members to sincerely seek the Lord regarding what they can do and what part they are to play in their church family. While volunteering is not required, we understand that the church functions as a body. To be our best, all the parts need to be active and functioning in some way. All members of the church contribute by serving one another in love – just as our Master came not to be served, but to serve.
(See Mark 10:45)