Membership at CLA

A. It helps to fulfill the biblical command for fellowship, love & submission. Membership provides Christian stability and a Christian atmosphere in order to carry out the New Testament commands for the church. The New Testament commands us to help each other and to be part of a local Christian community. Hebrews 10:24-25 “Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Scripture also commands us to love and serve each other. Galatians 5:13 “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge in the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” Jesus said “All men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another” (John 13:35) and “My command is this; Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:12). Membership also brings you into a place of submission and accountability to God’s appointed leadership. By being a member you are willingly submitting to biblical commands in areas like church discipline. Ephesians 5:21 “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” and Hebrews 13:17 “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account”. In order to fulfill biblical requirements, membership becomes necessary.

B. Effective Church Government. In order for the church to release its people into effective ministry with proper accountability, there is a need for membership. Each individual should find a place of ministry within the local church. Membership helps the Pastor and Leadership Team to know that you are willing and able to minister and be accountable for ministry. It provides a spiritual covering for you as you enter into ministry.

C. It shows public commitment. As water baptism is a public confession of faith in Jesus Christ, so church membership is a public confession of association with a local body of believers. It is a sign of commitment, accountability, partnership and support.

D. Requirement from the Government in order to hold charitable status. The Canadian Government gives religious organizations a special status; this allows church donations to receive tax receipts and provides the church with various other benefits. One of the requirements is to have a church board (Leadership Team) that is elected by the Membership to serve as directors of the society. Therefore, both the Leadership Team and the membership are necessary from the government’s perspective.

In order to be a member at Christian Life Assembly, there are four necessary requirements. We expect the following:

A. A personal salvation experience with Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “Unless a man is born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God” (John 3:3). A new birth experience means that you have recognized your sinful condition and a need for a Saviour. You also recognize that God came to earth and we call Him Jesus Christ. You have repented of your sin and received forgiveness because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Now you are a follower of Christ and the Holy Spirit lives within you. This salvation is a gift from God by the grace and mercy of Christ. It is not based on your own merit or works.

B. You have been baptized in water as evidence of your Christian commitment and have or are seeking a fresh baptism in the Holy Spirit in order that you might be Christ’s witness. There are two baptisms taught in the New Testament: water baptism (which is full immersion after personal salvation) Matthew 28:19, and Holy Spirit baptism (which is subsequent to salvation and is a specific event) Acts 2:4-5.

C. That you are actively pursuing a deeper walk with God. After salvation, you have entered into a process called sanctification. This is spiritual growth, which is helped through the practice of daily prayer, Bible study, personal witnessing, faithful attendance at worship and observance of the sacraments (communion and water baptism). It is expected that you are growing to become more Christ-like and that the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) is becoming evident in your lifestyle. You should refrain from unholy living (1 John 2:15-16) and anything that would call into question your Christian testimony. You should refrain from participation in activities which defile the body or corrupt the mind and spirit. You should not have a preoccupation with the pleasures, ways or possessions of the world but should have a godly perspective, living with His priorities. You should watch your speech, attitude, behaviour and appearance that they would reflect the Christ that you serve. (see Luke 21:34-35; Romans 8:5-8; 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Ephesians 5:11; 1 Timothy 2:8-10; 4:12; Titus 2:12; James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17)

D. Proven oneself as a committed adherent of the Church. Jesus taught that we were not to quickly appoint people to leadership without giving them an opportunity to learn and to grow. This principle can be used in membership too. There is often a need to give someone some time to show that they are committed to the church before appointing them into membership. It is recommended that a person be a part of the church for a minimum of 3 months before membership is granted although this decision is at the discretion of the Pastors and the Leadership Team.

A. Unity. The unity of Christian Life Assembly will be protected and enhanced by the member. The member will be supportive of church leadership and work to encourage and love those who are a part of the assembly. When difficulties arise, the biblical pattern for confrontation and church discipline will be followed (Matthew 18:15-18). The member makes a commitment to communicate with church leadership when there are concerns, conflicts or burdens. If conflict resolution cannot be properly attained and the member finds themselves in strong disagreement with the church doctrine, policy, vision, or constitution, the member then agrees to surrender their church membership and will refrain from bringing division or quarrels into the body of Christ.

B. Support for the mission and ministry of Christian life Assembly. The member makes a commitment to become an active and effective part of the local body of Christ. This will include prayer for, communication and partnership with the Pastors, church leadership and the assembly at large. Being a part of the mission and ministry at CLA commits the member to make sacrifices of time, talents and resources in order to strengthen the body of Christ and expand the Kingdom of God.

C. Serving Christian Life Assembly. The member is expected to serve the church by discovering their God-given gifts and talents and using them wherever and whenever possible to build up the body of Christ. It is desired that each member would find a place of ministry in the local church and that their abilities would add to the diversity and effectiveness of the ministry that CLA carries out. As each member volunteers their time in order to carry out ministry this is understood to be an offering of worship to God. The member commits himself or herself to be faithful in church attendance and to support the local church financially. The member desires, as God is faithful and enables, to give back a tithe (biblical principle of returning 10% to the Lord’s work) and to give offerings when possible and applicable, to strengthen ministry areas such as Missions, special projects and specific ministry departments. The member also commits to having a servant-like attitude towards their community. This would be seen in their attitude of care and compassion towards all people, no matter what their race or spiritual condition. It would also be seen in their actions, taking every opportunity to share the message of Jesus Christ’s salvation as God opens opportunity.

D. Agreement to support the constitution and bylaws of Christian Life Assembly. The member is familiar with the information contained in the church constitution and bylaws (booklet contained in your Membership Package) and is comfortable with these positions and practices. The member submits to these bylaws and understands our affiliation with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. Please read the PAOC Statement of Fundamental Truths found at the PAOC web site (www.paoc.org). The bylaws state that members are persons 18 years of age or over who fulfill the spiritual and biblical requirements for church membership.