Understanding Membership
A church is an organized body of baptized believers who have voluntarily committed themselves to worship and fellowship together for the purpose of spiritual growth, encouragement, and spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. Membership in a local church is both a privilege and a responsibility for those who have a personal relationship with Christ and have followed His command in believer’s baptism.
We see a biblical foundation for church membership in Acts 6:1-7. Although it doesn’t specifically mention membership, there is a clear indication here that this first local church had some means to know who was “among them” and who was not. The New Testament compares believers to a body, a temple, an army, a kingdom, and a family. The one thing that we don’t see in the New Testament is believers left along to find their way in the Christian faith. We are to come together to help and support one another.
Membership means that you have made a commitment to and with other believers, under the Lordship of Jesus, to work together toward mutual spiritual growth, encouragement, and evangelism. This is in keeping with the biblical command to join together for these purposes (Heb 10:24-25) and to use our God-given resources and spiritual gifts to build each other up and to contribute regularly to His organized work (2 Cor 9:6-15; 1 Cor 12:7, 11).
How to Become a Member of ABC
Full Membership: In accordance with the ABC Constitution, anyone who has professed Jesus as Savior and Lord, has been Scripturally baptized, and is in substantial agreement with the doctrinal position of the church can be considered for membership following attendance in our bi-monthly "Get Connected" class.
Associate Membership: ABC also offers Associate Membership to born-again believers of other denominations who wish to be under the care, accountability, and partnership of a local church, but do not wish to change their denominational affiliation. Associate Members share all the benefits and privileges of regular members, except that they are not permitted to vote on church affairs and cannot serve in church leadership or as main or lead teachers. Those desiring Associate Membership will also need to attend the "Get Connected" class.
Non-resident Members: As you can imagine, in a highly transitory community like ours, it is necessary to have a process for maintaining accurate active membership rolls. If a member of ABC moves away from the local Aviano area, but does not take steps to terminate their membership, they shall be placed on the Non-resident Members list for up to 12 months. If they haven’t returned to local area or requested their membership terminated before then, they will be removed from the Membership roll of the church.
A church is an organized body of baptized believers who have voluntarily committed themselves to worship and fellowship together for the purpose of spiritual growth, encouragement, and spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. Membership in a local church is both a privilege and a responsibility for those who have a personal relationship with Christ and have followed His command in believer’s baptism.
We see a biblical foundation for church membership in Acts 6:1-7. Although it doesn’t specifically mention membership, there is a clear indication here that this first local church had some means to know who was “among them” and who was not. The New Testament compares believers to a body, a temple, an army, a kingdom, and a family. The one thing that we don’t see in the New Testament is believers left along to find their way in the Christian faith. We are to come together to help and support one another.
Membership means that you have made a commitment to and with other believers, under the Lordship of Jesus, to work together toward mutual spiritual growth, encouragement, and evangelism. This is in keeping with the biblical command to join together for these purposes (Heb 10:24-25) and to use our God-given resources and spiritual gifts to build each other up and to contribute regularly to His organized work (2 Cor 9:6-15; 1 Cor 12:7, 11).
How to Become a Member of ABC
Full Membership: In accordance with the ABC Constitution, anyone who has professed Jesus as Savior and Lord, has been Scripturally baptized, and is in substantial agreement with the doctrinal position of the church can be considered for membership following attendance in our bi-monthly "Get Connected" class.
Associate Membership: ABC also offers Associate Membership to born-again believers of other denominations who wish to be under the care, accountability, and partnership of a local church, but do not wish to change their denominational affiliation. Associate Members share all the benefits and privileges of regular members, except that they are not permitted to vote on church affairs and cannot serve in church leadership or as main or lead teachers. Those desiring Associate Membership will also need to attend the "Get Connected" class.
Non-resident Members: As you can imagine, in a highly transitory community like ours, it is necessary to have a process for maintaining accurate active membership rolls. If a member of ABC moves away from the local Aviano area, but does not take steps to terminate their membership, they shall be placed on the Non-resident Members list for up to 12 months. If they haven’t returned to local area or requested their membership terminated before then, they will be removed from the Membership roll of the church.