MEMBERSHIP
MEMBERSHIP AT OMNI FELLOWSHIP
Depending on your background, church membership could mean a variety of things to you. To some, it sounds exclusive. Others have experienced it as virtually meaningless. Far from elite or pointless, membership is an opportunity for any Christian to partner with others in a particular mission, to receive spiritual protection and care, and to grow in grace through instruction and accountability. If this is your desire, then your task is to discern if God is calling you into the community and mission of Omni Fellowship. We have designed a membership process to help you do just that, which is outlined in the steps below:
The Gospel (which simply means ‘good news’) that the wisdom of God made a way for His love to redeem rebellious men and women and make them children of God by reconciling us all without compromising the holiness and justice of God.
CONNECT
Attend our gatherings on Sundays. Just as God sends us into our culture to live out the gospel in daily life, He also calls us together to renew our commitment to him and to his people. This is done through worship, word, and sacrament. Gathered worship is a vital part of the life and mission of Omni Fellowship.
Join a Gathering Group. Our Gathering Groups (GG) are meant to help Omni Fellowship members be formed spiritually (i.e. grow in Christ) and live out community and mission together. GGs meet regularly to help one another to believe, live, and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. In an ongoing way, GGs are helping each other deeply believe the gospel, freely live the gospel, and boldly share it with all people. It is the main way we live life together, pursuing intentional mission together, and serving the church alongside one another.
LEARN
We provide a bi-annual membership (Spring and Fall) process whereby those who are connected to and call this community their “family” can learn more about Omni and become members. The entire membership process involves a two hour class and an interview afterwards at your request—it is not a formality, but is designed to help you learn about the mission and heart of Omni Fellowship. It focuses on becoming more familiar with the doctrine (which should be read beforehand), mission, direction, values, leadership, and ministry philosophy of Omni Fellowship. You will also have a chance to reflect upon and write your conversion story, engage with others going through the membership process, and meet with one of the pastors/staff. All this will allow us to know you better and rejoice with you in how God has called you to Himself and led you to Omni.
COMMIT
Omni members share in their commitment to the church by agreeing to our membership covenant and joyfully living in community, serving the church, and giving faithfully.
MEMBERSHIP COVENANT
The Membership covenant is a biblical way of defining the expectations and responsibilities that God has for His people. It clarifies what we believe, what we are about, and lifestyle we will hold each other accountable to. It helps us understand the gravity of what we are doing and guards us against partiality (James 2:1) by ensuring that everyone in membership is held to the same standards of discipleship, obedience, and commitment. To covenant together means that we formally commit ourselves to the truth of the gospel, to the spiritual vitality and mission of this particular community, and to the care, accountability, discipline, and direction of its leaders, who will give account to Jesus for their work (Acts 20:28; Heb. 13:17; 1 Cor. 5:11-13). By affirming this covenant, you are agreeing that the desire of your heart is to fulfill each of the following commitments to the best of your ability.
YOU ARE COMMITTING TO BE A DISCIPLE OF JESUS:
I am a follower of Jesus who trusts in Christ alone to save me from sin and make me right with God (justification – Rom. 3:21-24). I have been baptized to signify my union with Christ and my identification with his people (Rom 6:3-4). I am willing to obey Jesus and am seeking his ongoing transformation of my heart (sanctification – Heb 12:14; Phil 2:12-13).
I will seek to live in obedience to the teachings of Scripture and pursue growth in Christian maturity through corporate worship, Scripture reading, prayer, learning in community, and submission to godly leadership and the practice of spiritual disciplines (John 14:21; 1 Pet 2:2).
YOU ARE COMMITTING TO THE COMMUNITY OF OMNI FELLOWSHIP:
I have read the Omni Fellowship doctrinal statement, and I agree not to be divisive toward their teaching. I will submit to church leadership and will be diligent to preserve unity and peace (Heb 13:17; Eph 4:1-3).
I will use my time, gifts, and resources to promote the spiritual vitality and well being of this church family. I understand this will involve knowing and being known by others, giving generously to support the needs and mission of the church, serving in practical ways, speaking the truth in love, receiving help, resolving conflict, and praying for others (Ephesians 4:1-16, Romans 12:3-21)
YOU ARE COMMITTING TO THE MISSION OF GOD THROUGH OMNI FELLOWSHIP:
I believe that I have been sent by God as a missionary to my family, neighborhood, workplace, circle of friends, and city (John 17: 15-19, 1 Peter 2:9, Matthew 28:18-20).
I will use my time, gifts, and resources to help others live out the gospel and invite others in to gospel community. I understand this will involve giving generously, blessing and listening to people around me, working to restore the areas of brokenness in our city, practicing hospitality, living in repentance and faith, and praying for those whom God puts in my life (Matthew 5:13-16, John 17:20-21, 1 Peter 2:12).
PASTORAL COMMITMENTS
The Bible teaches that elders are stewards who will have to “give an account” for those whom God has entrusted to their care (Hebrews 13:17; Acts 20:28). We take this responsibility very seriously. By becoming a member, you are placing yourself under the pastoral care and oversight of the elders whom the Holy Spirit has raised up for Omni Fellowship (Stonegate as extended elders). Serving under the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we make the following covenant commitments to you:
We commit ourselves to lovingly caring for you, seeking your growth in Christ and providing an example for you to follow (Heb. 13:17; 1 Peter 5:1-3).
We commit to provide teaching, preaching and counsel from the Scriptures (1 Tim. 4:13; 2 Tim. 3:16-4:2) and to guard sound doctrine (Titus 1:9; 2 Tim. 2:24-25).
We commit to helping you in times of need (Acts 2:42-47, 4:32-35; James 2:14-17).
We commit that your leaders will meet the criteria assigned to them in the Scriptures (I Tim. 3:1-13 & 5:17-22; Titus 1:5-9).
We commit to exercise church discipline when necessary (Matt. 18:15-20; I Cor. 5; Gal. 6:1).
We commit to help you become equipped to serve Christ (Eph. 4:11-13).
We commit to seek God’s will for our church community to the best of our ability as we study the Scriptures and follow the Spirit (Acts 20:28; I Peter 5:1-5).
We commit to leading in example through word and deed the mission Omni Fellowship.
MEMBERSHIP VOWS
At the commissioning ceremony, the new members will respond corporately to the following questions:
Do you acknowledge yourselves to be sinners in the sight of God, justly deserving His displeasure, and without hope apart from His sovereign mercy and grace?
Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and Savior of sinners, and do you receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation as He is offered in the Gospel?
Do you now resolve and promise, in humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit, that you will endeavor to live as disciples of Jesus?
Do you promise to support the Church in its worship and work to the best of your ability?
Do you submit yourselves to the leadership and discipline of the Church, and promise to promote harmony and peace within the body of Christ?
Do you commit to pray for and be a part of the mission of Omni in helping all people believe, live, and share the gospel of Jesus Christ?