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What are the seven benefits of church membership to the believer?

There are more than 7, but the main ones are ...

 

 Short Colour Coded Answer

1. Security
2. Variety or freedom
3. Sense of belonging
4. being unique, standing out, and getting recognition. 
5. Growth
6. Contribution
7. Membership Card Perks

Serious Student Answer (With the same colour code)

Security in Elder Protection. Members of our church enjoy that we care for you, pray for you, and personally counsel and teach you. As our beloved member, we are accountable to God for how we lead you (Heb. 13:17).

Assurance. Membership is our affirmation of the validity of someone's profession of faith (Matt. 16:19, 18:18). The church looks at a person's life, hears their explanation of the gospel and how they came to believe it, and says, "You look like a believer to us. So join us. Watch over our lives, and we'll watch over yours." So while membership in a church doesn't guarantee that someone is a believer, it should assure believers of the genuineness of their faith."

Freedom to be whole you are. Freedom to choose with whom you associate. Freedom to live without bondage.

Variety, we know that there are different talents and gifts, and there is a place for you to practice your instrument or other talents. Sign up for the manifold volunteer programs, where you can grow in your abilities and contribute to the enjoyment of the community!

Belonging... You feel you belong somewhere. It commits you, the believer. It's beneficial to commit yourself to loving and serving the community. You will grow as a believer as you commit to encourage, build up, strengthen, serve, rebuke, and pray for other believers, where you can grow spiritually and contribute!

Others are committed to you. Becoming a member of the church means joining with an entire group of believers who have now covenanted to watch over you spiritually. As a member of the church, you have a whole church full of people who are publicly committed to loving you, serving you, and watching over you.

Safety net.To some, it's comforting to know your church would exclude you (for a short time) rather than tolerate unrepentant sin. Being a church member means that a whole church full of people is committed to helping you live a life that's pleasing to God, even to the point of excluding you from the church if you go astray. While this sounds harsh to some, to those of us who know the deceitfulness of sin, this is an immensely comforting and encouraging reality (Heb. 3:12). Is it not better to be excluded for a short time instead of being excluded from Heaven for Eternity? 

You always learn something you didn't know...Grow your faith by growing your knowledge and understanding of the scripture, of life and the things around you so that you could get the opportunity to teach and contribute your wealth of knowledge to the newcomers.

Membership Card Perks:

1. Most of the church's manifold* programs to serve the community are free to everyone who applies. Therefore, your membership benefits not only the church but also the Charlottetown area as a geographic community. That way we all "Go and make disciples," Matthew 28:19
2. Some of the church's numerous programs are only free to members due to their nature. They are as Jesus instructed us in Matthew 7:6: that we don't share it with everyone, only with fellow believers.
3. Some of the programs are "free for a donation of $ or more" or "enter by donation". As a valued membership cardholder, you receive it at an even lower price. For example, if it's "free to say thank you for your donation of $75 or more", cardholders might get it at "for your donation of $35 or more" (Half price) and sometimes even completely free.
4.  We also arrange with believers who have businesses to give a special discount to members, so it pays to carry your card in your wallet.
5. It promotes local businesses and local support. If you have a business, be sure to find out how you could benefit from helping your fellow members.
6. Membership is only $77 or 10 hours of volunteer work in any church department per year. That helps defray* the rent, cleaning, and other expenses we may have. Your $77 or 10 hours is due only after membership is approved.
7. New applicants who give $10 or more help defray the administrative costs. Then, if and when they are approved, we gratefully accept the $77 membership fee or 10 hours of volunteer work in the church.

How to apply.

Pick ONLY one:

1. Send us an e-transfer with your application fee of $10 or more, and we will send you the application form. Or
2. Sign up as a volunteer today and we will send you the application form.

 OR  

*Definitions

Defray: Bear the expenses of

Manifold: Many and varied; having many features or forms