Non-Member Ministry Involvement

HTML clipboardPolicy on Ministry Involvement of Members &
Non-Members

(Approved 7/15/2001 Amended 10/12/2004
& 1/3/06)
Though our society is becoming increasingly resistant to making commitments
which has resulted in many that view formal
membership as an unnecessary legalistic burden, we believe that the following
three Biblical principles make membership important.

1) The Need for Commitment to a Local Church.

Hebrews 10:24,25 states, "and let us consider how to stimulate one another
to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the
habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day
drawing near." The context of "the assembling together" is the local body of
believers in which the commands can be carried out. The many "one another"
commands are given either directly to a local church or are intended to help
those churches fulfill God’s will.
The New Testament does not indicate any true believer not being part of a
local church. Even itinerant ministers such as Paul and Barnabas were sent out
from a local church (Acts 13:1-3). Uniting with a local church is both the
reasonable response of those professing belief in Jesus Christ, and it is the
means by which the various gifts in the Body of Christ can all work together (1
Corinthians 12).

2) The Obligation of Obedience to the Leaders of a Local Church.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 states the importance of esteeming and appreciating
"those who have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction."
Hebrews 13:17 adds, "Obey your leaders, and submit to them: for they keep
watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with
joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you." Those in
the church should not only obey their leaders (excluding sin and heresy), but
they should also strive to make it as easy as possible for them to shepherd the
flock. Church membership helps accomplish this for the following reasons.

A. Membership helps clarify the difference between believers and
unbelievers. While it cannot distinguish between who is and who is not a
genuine Christian, for there are tares among the wheat (Mt. 13), it does set a
means by which someone is to be considered a part of the covenant community of
professing Christians or not. This helps the church with issues in which
identification as a Christian is important such as marriage, leadership
qualifications, and church discipline.
B. Membership causes the visible church to better reflect the invisible
church. The church’s testimony is enhanced when only those who have given a
credible testimony of faith in Christ are considered part of it.
C. Membership is essential to an orderly administration of the church. The
church is not a loose collection of individuals doing whatever they want. It
is likened to a human body (1 Cor. 12) in which each part works in harmony.
This requires identification of and commitment from those who actually belong
to that body.
D. Membership promotes involvement from those on the "fringes." It makes
one aware of opportunities to serve and encourages a choice between being
committed and uncommitted.
E. Membership provides an opportunity to educate people about the nature
and distinctives of the church. By going through our church’s Statement of
Faith, Constitution & Covenant in our membership class, we can make sure that
potential members are fully aware of our beliefs and practices before they
make a commitment and identify themselves with us.

3) The Privileges of Partnership
The commitment to identify with and become part of a local body of believers
brings with it the following benefits.

A) Ministry Opportunities. Membership opens the door to all ministries
including leadership positions, provided Biblical qualifications for those
ministries are met. Non-members are properly restricted from ministries of
teaching, leadership, oversight, and representation which can only be
entrusted to those who state their agreement with our Statement of Faith and
commit themselves to work in unity with us. Non-members may not be "in charge"
of any ministry, but they may work under the direction of a church member.
B) Helpful Service. Galatians 6:10 tells us to "Do good to all men, and
especially to those who are of the household of the faith." The church has
limited resources to meet unlimited needs. Our first priority of service is to
those who are part of the body and then to those outside.
C) Loving Accountability. Commitment to the local church increases
involvement and depth of relationships in which true fellowship occurs,
including greater accountability in walking with Christ. Membership makes it
clear which sheep belong to the fold and should be lovingly brought back into
it when they stray.

Everyone that attends G.B.C. will be treated with grace, but it must be
understood that those who have not pursued membership are properly restricted
from the privileges of membership.

Ministry Involvement Opportunities for Non-Members

While there are ministry restrictions for non-members as noted above, there
are still many opportunities for non-members to have ministry involvement with
Grace Bible Church including the following:

Physical care of the facilities and grounds.
Cleaning, facility repair and improvements, landscaping, lawn mowing, etc.
Assisting members in their ministries.
Assisting teachers in any of our programs, all non-teaching/leadership
positions (such as games, crafts, kitchen, nursery and child care helpers,
etc.), community outreach efforts, office help, etc.
Carrying out the many "one another" commands of Scripture.
Hospitality, helping one another, caring for one another, loving one
another, encouraging one another, admonishing one another, bearing one
another’s burdens, serving one another, forbearing one another, etc.
Occasional Special Ministries with Permission of the Elders. We desire
non-members to use their gifts, so they may on occasion present special music
or teach when given specific permission by the Pastor or appropriate Elder for
the particular event.

Other Considerations

Involvement in any ministry of G.B.C. by non-members and those from other
churches must also meet any specific requirements set by the particular
ministry. Locally living former members or regular attenders of G.B.C. may be
involved in G.B.C. ministries only with special permission by the G.B.C.
elders.