Jesus said, "I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it." Since Jesus is building the church, we are too! We are so excited about the truths found in the scriptures concerning the God's church and the promises that go along with it. Local church membership is the pattern of scripture and it is our desire to stick the word of God; it is our foundation to build upon.
Leadership Structure, Responsibility & Philosophy
The pattern for establishing the local church in scripture includes having a Lead Pastor (Elder) and a team of leaders referred to as Elders. There are also deacons who provide hands-on help. The leaders have the responsibility to spiritually equip the church for ministry. That ministry is sharing the good news about the saving power of Jesus with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, and discipleship. Leaders are tested and proven faithful before becoming Elders or Deacons. They build, shepherd, equip, guard sound teaching, watch over spiritual health, and are examples to the Body of Christ. Love is the core of their motivation to serve.
In the culture of our day it is very common to see people avoid commitment. Whether it's to protect from disappointment or because of trauma from broken relationship or family dysfunction; the truth is we need to be committed to God's plan. In this video you'll see what the scriptural pattern is for membership and why defining the relationship is so important. There's a difference between a member and non-member as well as benefits that apply to those who choose to identify with the local church in membership.
What this looks like at Chosen Church
Vision is what we see, mission is what we do, and Jesus outlines this for us in the New Testament in Matthew Chapter 28 and in Mark chapter 16. We follow the pattern of scripture as a church and implement it the way the Holy Spirit leads us. At Chosen membership follows the "Know [acknowledge] those that labor AMONG you" from 1 Thessalonians 5:12. We are known to be part of the work and we know who God has appointed as leaders to establish that work.
CHOSEN CHURCH DISCIPLESHIP COURSES - FROM NEWLY SAVED TO MATURE BELIEVER OR LEADER
IDENTIFICATION - Identity in Christ Discipleship
LIBERATION - Freedom Ministry/Discipleship
*The first two courses are where we grow in relationships with one another and experience the type of ministry God has established through Chosen Church and it's leadership team. You get a taste of the flavor of the House and through this you can discern and decide if you feel led to be a member.
NEXT STEPS - FOR THOSE WHO RECOGNIZE CHOSEN AS THEIR CHURCH AS MEMBERS:
IMPARTATION - Foundations Discipleship
ACTIVATION - Gifts of the Spirit and Prophecy in the Local Church
COMMISSION (Leadership Growth) - Five Fold Ministry, Local Church Leadership, Deacon Ministry, Eldership Ministry and more...
CHOSEN CHURCH MEMBERSHIP RESOURCES
In Matthew 16:18 Jesus said, "I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." If he is building the church, we want to build his church! Ephesians 5:25b says, Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…”
The Bible states, "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain that build it" and "God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose." We believe that God strategically leads people to be a part of a particular local church. Where they can be equipped to fulfill their purpose in God and multiply their strength and effectiveness in unity of purpose with other believers.
In the book of Acts people were saved then added to the church. As the early church grew many local churches were established in various cities with instructions to add Elders in every town. We are also called to "know them that labor among us" and church leaders are called to "Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care...". This means that the members know who the other members and leaders are and likewise the leaders know who is a part of their flock. Membership is a voluntary spiritual commitment to spiritual growth and participation with God's plan to make disciples while you're planted there; it is not a legally binding arrangement.
The scriptural pattern and biblical form of church government is a plurality of elders with a Lead Elder/Pastor who all qualify on the basis of 1Timothy 3 in spiritual life, character, domestic life and leading ability. Every believer in Christ is called to be subject to God’s authority in a specific local church for spiritual protection, accountability and long-term fruitfulness (Hebrews 13:17).
STATEMENT OF FAITH
THE INFALLIBLE BIBLE
We believe in the complete and inspired word of God (plenary-verbal inspiration) of the accepted canon of the Scriptures as originally given and that they are infallibly and uniquely authoritative and free from error in all matters with which they deal (2 Timothy 3:16, 1 Corinthians 2:13). We believe that since the Bible is the inspired Word of God, it is then authoritative in all areas of human behavior, including marriage, family, sexuality, morality, and ethics.
THE TRINITY (GODHEAD)
We believe in the Eternal Godhead who has revealed Himself as ONE God existing in THREE persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit; distinguishable but indivisible (Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14)
CREATION
We believe in the literal, special creation of the existing space-time continuum and universe and all of its systems described in Genesis. (Genesis 1; Nehemiah 9:6; Isaiah 42:5; John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17)
FALLEN HUMANITY
We believe in the creation, test, and fall of man as recorded in Genesis; his total spiritual depravity and inability to attain divine righteousness (Romans 5:12,18)
SIN
We believe that sin is a transgressing of, or falling short of, God’s standard in action, thought, and character. All individuals are born with a sin nature that affects their motivation, affection, volition, and actions. The results of sin include separation from God and death (Romans 3:10,23; 6:23; 14:23; James 4:17; 1 John 5:17)
JESUS CHRIST - FULLY GOD, FULLY MAN
We believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of men, conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, fully God and fully man. Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Matthew 1:21; Luke 1:26-35; John 1:18, Colossians 2:9, Philippians 2:6-8
THE ATONEMENT
We believe Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again the third day, and personally appeared to His disciples (Romans 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15:1-8)
SECOND COMING OF JESUS
We believe in the bodily ascension of Jesus to heaven, His exaltation and personal, literal and bodily coming again the second time for the Church (Matthew 24; Mark 16:19; John 14:2-3; Acts 1:9-11; Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Hebrews 9:28)
SALVATION BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH
We believe in the salvation of sinners by grace, through repentance and faith in the perfect and sufficient work of the cross of Calvary by which we obtain remission of sins (Romans 5:11; Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 9:12,22)
WATER BAPTISM
We believe in the necessity of water baptism by immersion in the name of the Eternal Godhead in order to fulfill the command of Christ (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38-39; 19:1-6)
BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a distinct aspect of the Christian foundational experience which happens after salvation, with the primary scriptural evidence of speaking in tongues as well as evidence such as prophecy, empowerment to witness, conquer sin, and to live a holy life (Acts 2:1-4; 8:14-17; 19:6)
SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE
We believe in the Spirit-filled life, a life of separation from the lifestyle and mindsets of the world and being set apart in holiness in the reverential awe and respect of God as an expression of Christian faith (2 Corinthians 6:14; 7:1; Galatians 5:16-26; Ephesians 5:18)
GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the operation of the gifts of the Spirit as manifested in the Early Church and listed in 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14. Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, Faith, Gifts of Healing, Working of Miracles, Prophecy, Discerning of Spirits, Spiritual language in its three forms as a sign, gift (requiring interpretation), and prayer language, and interpretation of spiritual language.
COMMUNION / TABLE OF THE LORD
We believe in the Table of the Lord, commonly called Communion or the Lord’s Supper, for believers (Mark 14:22-25,Luke 22:18-20,1 Corinthians 11:23-25)
ETERNAL LIFE | ETERNAL SEPARATION FROM GOD
We believe in eternal life for believers and eternal separation and punishment for unbelievers J as described in John 3:16; 5:24, 2 Thessalonians 1:9, and Matthew 25:41.
IN ADDITION TO THESE BASIC FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS, WE ALSO HOLD THAT:
COVENANTS
The theological framework for understanding all of God’s dealings with mankind is to be found in the divine covenants revealed in Scripture. God's eternal purpose is revealed in His everlasting covenant with us (Romans 9:4-5; Galatians 3-4; Ephesians 1:9-14; 3:11; Hebrews 8; 13:20)
GATHERING OF BELIEVERS
We believe in the public gathering of the Church together for prayer, worship, teaching and preaching of the Bible, and the administering of the sacraments (Communion, Water Baptism) of the church (Acts 2; I Corinthians 11; Hebrews 10:25)
MARRIAGE
The Bible defines marriage as the covenant relationship between a man and a woman. The importance of this union to society requires that we support and protect marriage as the Word of God does (Genesis 2:24; Malachi 2:14-16; Matthew 19:4-6)
SALVATION FOR ALL OF HUMANITY
Humanity as a whole is united in origin, in the fall, and in the provision of the atonement through Christ, making every person equally worthy of love and forgiveness, as well as just and unbiased treatment (John 3:16; Acts 10:34; 17:26; Romans 5:6-21; Colossians 3:8-16)
THE NATIONS
God’s eternal purpose involves all races and nations, culminating in every nation, tribe, and tongue being represented before His throne. (Matthew 28:19; Ephesians 2:14-18; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Revelation 5:9; 7:9)
THE CHURCH IS THE MESSENGER OF THE KINGDOM
The Church of Jesus Christ is the last instrument that God is using to extend His kingdom prior to the second coming of Christ (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:20-23; 3:10)
AUTONOMOUS LOCAL CHURCH
According to scripture, the local church is autonomous; it is self-governing, self-supporting, and self-propagating in its mature state (Acts 2; 13:1-4)
SPIRITUAL STRUCTURE OF THE LOCAL CHURCH
The biblical form of church government is a plurality of elders with a Lead Pastor who all qualify on the basis of 1 Timothy 3 in spiritual life, character, domestic life and leading/ruling ability. Every believer in Christ must be subject to God’s authority in a specific local church for spiritual protection, accountability and long-term fruitfulness (Hebrews 13:17)
FIVEFOLD LEADERSHIP & MINISTRY
The Early Church had men and women apostles, pastors, teachers, prophets, and evangelists; and we believe the church today should operate in the same way. Every successful team needs coaches and players to win. Fivefold leadership and the church ministering together is our key to victory. Our heart is to help people know who they are in Christ, be set free from darkness, discover their purpose and calling, grow in the power of the Holy Spirit, and serve one another together to be more like Jesus (Ephesians 4:11-13)
EQUALITY OF MEN AND WOMEN IN CHURCH AND LIFE
We believe God created men and women equally in His image. We will not discriminate against women (or men) in any capacity. We think the Church should be one of the biggest champions of the call of God on people's lives. God uses men and women equally and sometimes distinctly, and we celebrate our unique differences. It's our passion to build strong men and women and boys and girls; with a heart to always partner together to enlarge the Kingdom of God (Galatians 3:28)
THE GENERATIONS
We believe each generation is responsible for being a bridge from the previous generation to the one following. Babies, children, and students will always hold a precious place in our heart and ministry because they are our treasure and legacy. We are responsible for proclaiming the goodness of God and his mighty deeds and testimony to all generations after us. Young adults, the working force, and those raising families are the strength of the church. We cherish and honor those who are older and are encouraged by their example, instruction and testimony. We believe it is essential for the generations to work together, worship together, and enjoy life together (Psalm 145:4-6, Malachi 4:6)
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