Church is more than a building, or a service you attend. Church is a community of people saved by grace, committed to following Jesus together.
We’re so glad you’re taking the me to explore membership at The King’s Centre.
Thank you!
1. What Is Church Membership?
Church membership is not about having your name on a list or signing up for a club. It’s not about status. In the New Testament, Christians did not simply attend church, they belonged to one another, not an organisation. Membership is
about belonging, commitment and shared life.
In the Bible, the church is described as:
• The Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:18 & 27 | Ephesians 4:11-16 & 5:30)
The Bible likens the church to a human body of which Jesus is the head (Ephesians 1:22-23). A body has many different parts (members) – each part is valuable and has a unique place, purpose and role to play and so do you, as we grow together.
• God’s household (Ephesians 2:19)
• A people built together (1 Peter 2:5)
Membership is a relational and spiritual commitment:
• To belong to God’s people in a particular place
• To grow together and follow Jesus together – it’s a recognition that we need others to help us do that
• To care for and support one another
• To serve God’s mission in our community and beyond – sharing the good news of Jesus
• To say: “This is not just the church I attend; this is my church family and home. This is where I will grow, live out my faith, serve and belong.”
2. Why does membership matter?
Faith was never meant to be lived alone or in isolation. It’s personal, but not private. The Bible clearly teaches that after salvation, having repented of our sins and put our faith and trust in Jesus, the next step is to be baptised in water, but then what?
In the New Testament we see how in response to the Gospel and the grace of God, believers then committed themselves to joining a local expression of the church. They had become members of Christ’s body through faith in Jesus, but they then chose to commit themselves to a local expression of that body.
In the early church, after people were saved, they were then added to the local church. (Acts 2:41-47)
Believers joined themselves together, side-by-side with others who loved Jesus, and became part of a community (v42) devoted to:
• Teaching and learning
• Fellowship
• Prayer
• Communion
Membership provides:
• Belonging – you are known, supported and cared for
• Accountability – we help one another grow and mature; encouraging, challenging, supporting
• Responsibility – everyone has a part to play; we believe in every member mobilisation
• Mission – we serve God together
3. Our Vision
Our vision as The King’s Centre is to glorify God by:
Reaching
• Reaching people for Jesus, through the life-changing message of the gospel
• Being a church that brings hope to the communities to which God has called us
Relating
• Helping people to grow in their faith, as we seek to love God and one another well
• Building community and growing through discipleship, in relational-sized gatherings and groups
Releasing
• Developing and releasing people in their gifts and calling
• Releasing resources as we seek to be a blessing
4. Our Values
Our values shape the culture of our church. We are not a perfect church, but we
seek to be a faithful one.
Our 12 values (in no particular order) are:
Sharing our Faith
Discipleship
Presence
Family
Service
Lifestyle of Worship
Humility
Compassion
Authenticity
Integrity
Generosity
Wholeness
We also stand in agreement with, and commitment to: The Evangelical Alliance Basis of Faith The Evangelical Alliance Relationships Matter – Ten Affirmations (Fuller explanations of all of these along with definitions of our values can be found on our church website)
5. What Does Membership Involve?
Membership is not a one-way relationship; it’s a two-way commitment. As a leadership, we commit to you, that we will:
• Teach the Bible faithfully and encourage everyone in prayer, worship and serving
• Provide pastoral care and prayer
• Offer guidance, support and accountability
• Be available to help you find God’s will and blessing in your life
• Create opportunities for you to grow and serve so your God-given potential can be released for Him
• Walk with you through life’s highs and lows, in the joys and hardships
As a member, you commit to:
• Following Jesus in everyday life
• Living according to the Vision and Values of the church
• Coming under the care and covering of the Leadership Team (see Hebrews 13:17)
• Consistently attending church gatherings – both midweek and Sundays
• Learning and growing spiritually through prayer and scripture
• Living with integrity, love, and humility – the church is called to be a light in a dark world
• Working together for unity and peace, including seeking reconciliation when there is conflict
• Loving, caring and praying for others in the church family
• Using your gifts and abilities to serve others – membership means involvement
• Joining the mission to share the Good News of Jesus with those who don’t know Him
• Contributing to the life and mission of The King’s Centre by giving financially* to support the work of the Kingdom, in and through the church here
(See 1 Corinthians 16:2 | Philippians 4:14-19 | 2 Corinthians 9:5-8)
* People often ask how much is appropriate to give to the work of the church. In the Old Testament this involved tithing (a tenth) of their income. However, the New Testament doesn’t set any sort of figure but encourages us, in view of God’s amazing grace, to be generous and cheerful in our giving as expressed in the scriptures listed above.
We encourage everyone who pays Income Tax to fill in a Gift Aid declaration so that we can claim back the tax paid from the UK Government at no additional cost to the donor.
Membership is not about perfection — it’s about faithful participation.
6. Serving Together
Service is: “to wilfully enter into the life of another, at cost to myself, that they might have more life”. (John Mark Comer, from “Practicing The Way – Service”)
God has given every believer gifts to build up the church and to be used for the good of others (1 Peter 4:10).
He doesn’t want us to be “spectators” in the church, watching others. He calls us to be “participators”, those who take part and make a difference – contributors not just consumers.
There are many ways to serve, and more information can be found in our; “Play Your Part” document, which is available online via our church website. Paper copies are available at The Information Point.
You don’t have to do everything — but everyone can do something.
7. Leadership and Care
The Leadership Team seek to:
• Follow Jesus faithfully
• Serve humbly
• Lead prayerfully and wisely
• Care lovingly
Membership means walking together with:
• Mutual respect
• Honest and open conversation and communication
• Grace in disagreement
• Shared responsibility for the health of the church
We believe healthy churches are built on trust, prayer and love.
God expects church leaders to shepherd the flock who walk with them in trust, by caring, teaching, correcting, and engaging in honest and loving conversations. It’s therefore vital that they know the people who have chosen to place themselves under their care.
As a Leadership Team we are committed to doing our very best to provide all the support and guidance mentioned in this booklet for those in membership with us. We also recognise that there can come a time when someone feels God is calling
them to move on. If at any stage you feel led that way, you are of course totally free to resign your membership with us, but we would encourage you to discuss this with a member of the Leadership Team first.
If you become a member but find yourself unable to regularly attend meetings, we would value the opportunity to have a conversation to see if your circumstances have changed and if you still wish to remain as a member.
We would expect that our members seek to live according to Scripture and model Christ-like behaviour.
8. Becoming A Member
If you are interested in coming into membership with us, we would encourage
you to take the following steps:
1. Take time to prayerfully consider if you want to make The King’s Centre your home church, and the place where God wants you to put down your roots and grow
2. Talk with a church leader and ask any questions you may have
3. Fill in a Membership Application Form
4. Commit to the church family at one of our upcoming Membership Services
Becoming a member is a moment, but being a member is a journey
9. A Final Word
Church membership is not about obligation – it is an invitation to:
• Belong to a spiritual family
• Grow alongside others in faith and maturity
• Serve God’s purposes together
• Be shaped by love, truth, and grace
• Live out the love of Jesus and the life of faith together
If The King’s Centre feels like where God is calling you to belong, we would love to walk with you.