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Membership

THE COMMITMENTS OF MEMBERSHIP AT HILLS

As a part of our discipleship process at Hills Church we ask believers to committ to membership of the local church. While we acknowledge that acceptance of the gift of God’s forgiveness and grace is the only thing neccessary to incorporate the believer into the family of God, we also acknowledge the need for an ongoing commitment to Christian growth, a set of agreed principles to follow as a group and the usefullness of making a public commitment to the same.

Membership at Hillls Church is a way to show your committment to the vision of the local church as well as your committment to a life long process of discipleship.  Membership is not an imposition on your freedom but a covenent between God, you and the local church family. It is "us" agreeing that being a disciple matters. In keeping with the simplicity of faith, our membership process is also simple and is outlined in the following steps:

1. A Commitment to Christ and Baptism

Without an acceptance of the consequences of sin (Romans 6:23), and the remedy for it (Acts 3:19), it is impossible to have a relationship with God or be a member of the church universal. Therefore, these are essential for membership in the local church. This is witnessed by the act of baptism. Baptism signifies new life, cleansing and receiving of the Holy Spirit. Baptism is an outward act signifying what has already taken place in your life. Salvation and baptism are essential for  membership.

2. A Commitment to Ongoing Spiritual Growth

In the great commission (Matthew 28:18-20) Jesus called his followers to go and make disciples. While this involves evangelism it includes much more. The concept of discipleship was to produce followers who were just like their Master – followers who were hard to distinguish from the one they followed. The implication for the church is profound. It is our goal as a church and as individuals to become more like Christ.

3. A Commitment to a Life Guided by the Spirit’s Power and the Word Of God

As disciples of Jesus it is expected that you will read the word and listen to God in order to be guided about how to live the Christian life, but we realise that sometimes you will need some assistance, so in order to assist you in holy living and to enable a lifestyle of growth the following set of questions and Scriptures are provided to help guide you in your consideration of what is appropriate for a Spirit-led Christ-like life.

4. Acceptance of the Doctrine of the Wesleyan Methodist Church and the Authority of The Handbook in Matters of Church Government

In any organisation there is a need for some uniformity – some commonly held beliefs. These include our doctrine and our constitution which contains guidelines for church government and practice. The docrinal summary is as follows:

  • We believe in God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We believe that Jesus Christ the Son suffered in our place on the cross, that he died but rose again, that he now sits at the Father’s right hand until he returns to judge all people at the last day.
  • We believe in the Holy Scriptures as the inspired and inerrant Word of God.
  • We believe that by the grace of God every person has the ability and responsibility to choose between right and wrong, and that those who repent of their sin and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ are justified by faith.
  • We believe that God not only counts believers as righteous, but that he makes them righteous, freeing them of sin’s dominion at conversion, purifying their hearts by faith and perfecting them in love at entire sanctification, and providing for their growth in grace at every stage of their spiritual life, enabling them through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to live a victorious life. 

5. Approval of the current members of Hills Church

Becoming a member in a Wesleyan Church requires the approval of the current membership of the church. At Hills Church this job has been delegated by the members to the Local Board.

6. Presentation to the church

The Final step in the Membership process is to be presented to the Local Church.

If you want to sow in at Hills Church we encourage you to become a covenant member at one of our regular membership classes or contact the office.