Local church membership is the practical outworking of Jesus’s vision to make disciples and build His Kingdom on Earth as it is in Heaven. Membership says two things:
Membership means we are committed to you.
As a church family, membership says we promise to shepherd you toward growth and maturity in Jesus, His people, and His mission. We do this by providing ongoing equipping, serving, and leadership opportunities, as well as prioritizing pastoral care for our members (Eph 4:11-13).
Membership means you are committed to us.
Membership says you promise to be a part of Jesus’ mission and vision through the local church (Matt 18:15-20, Eph 3:20-21, Eph 5:22-32).
So, if you’re new to our church, we love that you're coming around! And if you’ve been around for a while and would call this your church, we ask you to take the next step by signing up for the Midtown Class. After the class, you’re invited to become a member. If afterward, you find that Midtown is not the best fit for you, we would love to help you find a local church where you can commit.
What is the commitment to being a member?
Along with attending our class, members are asked to agree with our theological beliefs and covenant practices. You can read those here.
I want to attend the class but have a scheduling conflict. What can I do?
If you can’t attend the class for whatever reason, let us know, and we’d be glad to send you an online version. You can contact us here.
Should I become a member if I know I won’t live in Columbia permanently?
Yes! We believe church membership is foundational to your spiritual formation, so even if you don’t plan on staying in the city long-term, we encourage you to get involved as much as possible with the time you have by becoming a member.
Is church membership biblical?
Yes! In the New Testament, Jesus assumes his followers gladly submit to His authority through the local church (Heb 13:17, 1 Peter 5:4, Matt 18:15-20). In fact, many New Testament letters addressed local churches and assumed, like Jesus, that His followers would commit themselves to a local church (Heb 13:17, 1 Cor 5). Church membership, then, is the outworking of how to put Jesus’ commands into practice so we can become a Jesus-centered family on mission.
What is the church’s stance on specific practices and doctrines? I’m concerned I might disagree.
If you have specific questions, we encourage you to sign up for the class and ask us!
What happens if I move? What’s the process?
We understand life happens. If you are no longer able to be a member, please let us know by contacting us here.
Every year, we throw a three-day-long equipping conference for our members called Kickoff Weekend. You can check it out by watching the video.