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Interested in Becoming a Member?
This outlines what Membership of The Lifehouse involves. It describes the characteristics of the Church you are interested in joining.
1/ Why Membership?
Biblically Every Christian should belong to a local Church. Although we can also learn from TV and books or be involved in different ministries, the biblical model is local Church. A person becoming a member is choosing to make this their Church family, to become involved in the life of the Church, and to be committed to serving within the Church: and as a member the leadership of the Church are accountable to them. We believe this strikes the balance between a Church with no leadership and a Church where the members have no voice.
2/ What Does Membership Involve?
a/ Belonging
First and foremost you are being welcomed into a community. The “house” is not so much the building as the people. We want you to feel at home and belong. We want you to grow and develop in your faith and walk with God, and to know his love for you: to have fun and be challenged, to laugh and have a safe place to cry too.
b/ Discipleship
Membership of The Lifehouse is for those who are disciples of Jesus Christ. We believe strongly in the Grace of God, and seek to live according to the Word in the Power of the Spirit. We want to love the Lord, live in his presence, and be light for the world. We long for our lives to be part of the great adventure which living in his presence can be!
c/ Service
The Lifehouse functions through its members. Whether seemingly large or small tasks, we need people to be active in this community according to their gifts and abilities. We need members to help, whether with cleaning the building, or making the tea! We encourage members to develop their gifts and abilities and also to participate in the day-to-day life of the Church. We encourage members to attend regularly, especially on Sundays and when we gather to pray.
d/ Love
We are constantly seeking to learn how to walk together in partnership and love – to be committed yet free. We want to be increasingly free from controlling or religious behaviour and yet increasingly committed to one another and the Church. We want the Father’s love to be what is seen and experienced.
Members of the Lifehouse are those who although far from perfect love his presence and put him first in their lives. We love to worship with freedom and express our love to him.
3/ Beliefs and Values
a/ We have a statement of faith which is can be obtained upon request.
b/ We Have Church Values which affect how we “do” Church. They are:-
Father’s Love revealed through the Lord Jesus Christ
Intimacy, Presence, & Hearing God’s Voice
Restoration of the Heart & Soul
Extending the Kingdom through the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
a/ Father’s Love revealed through the Lord Jesus Christ. God so loved the world that he sent his Son, Jesus. The Bible says that God IS love. We can know and experience the Father’s love for us tangibly and experientially, through believing in Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection from the dead, and being born again.
b/ Intimacy, Presence, & Hearing God’s Voice. God knows everything about us, and yet he forgives us! We can be totally real with him. We can hear his voice speaking to us, know his presence with us every day, and experience real intimate relationship. This is what every human being is made for. This is actively encouraged at The Lifehouse.
c/ Restoration of the Heart / Soul When we receive Jesus, we receive Eternal life and forgiveness of sin immediately. But as we grow, he shows us areas of our lives that need changing or healing, that we might know him better and be more effective. We are committed to seeing this restoration happen in an ongoing way in our lives.
d/ Extending the Kingdom through the equipping, empowering and anointing of the Holy Spirit. This blessing is not to keep just for ourselves. God longs that all might be saved. With the Holy Spirit’s help and in the Father’s love we need to lead people to Jesus.
We expect that all of our ministries share these values and to minister here you need to agree to subscribe to these values too. There will be room for many types of service, but all have these values at the heart. This is important because our values determine how we actually behave.
4/ Some Practical Things
Three times a year there are meetings where members are kept up to date with the vision, ministries and finances of the Church. This means we are informed as a body and also that as we make decisions along our journey as the Lifehouse, members will be involved in those decisions and on major ones vote to determine the Church’s decision. We would really like you to be at those meetings!
We encourage involvement in ministry across the town and further afield: we want our members to have a vision for Colchester and we see ourselves as part of the one body of Christ in this town.
Members are encouraged in regular giving: a gift aid scheme is available for tax payers. The Lifehouse is financed totally through the giving of our members. 15% of our income goes to support other Christian ministries. Offerings are sometimes taken at services, and there is a box near the door for those who wish to give.
We regard child protection and good working practice as a priority. We operate a formal child protection policy, which is registered with the Churches’ Child Protection Advisory Service.
The “values, constitution and basis of faith” leaflet contains our values (also listed above), and what we believe. It defines how the Church is run, from how leaders are elected to business meeting practice and many other things.
5/ How to Join
If you are happy with what you’ve read see one of the Core Team who will arrange for a chat, either with the Pastor or another member of the team. You can ask any questions you want! They will want to just establish that you understand your commitment and that this is right for you. Then you will come into membership at our next Business Meeting.
May the Lord Bless you and may you know the love of the Father that Jesus came to reveal!
To Download a copy for printing,  This is in Word Format
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