• GS 101

• Life of Grace
   
• Small Groups
   
• Membership

I belong..
........Why should I become a member?
Some wonder where this journey of Grace takes you.  Here are some questions and answers about membership at Granite Springs. 
 

I belong… Why should I become a member?  Many people serve whole-heartedly, give regularly, participate actively, attend consistently and yet they are not members.  Is this OK? 
While we believe that faith in Jesus Christ is personal, we do not believe it is private.  Rather, it is lived out and expressed in community. 

By becoming a member, you are publicly saying, “Jesus, I love you and Granite Springs is my spiritual home.  I want to tell people so that I can’t be fake about it.  It’s a little bit like signing your name to a document.  It puts a piece of yourself into the commitment and is a way of saying, “No, I really mean this.” 

I’m not sure about some things, and not sure I want to belong publicly.  What happens if I don’t become a member?
It is our desire to be hospitable and welcoming.  We invite you to explore, ask questions, “kick the tires” for as long as necessary.  We really mean that—even if you never become a member!  We want you to know you can belong without becoming a member.  As an active attender, you can participate in the life of this church in many ways.  Indeed, many do.   

What happens if I become a member and then decide I need to move on?
God bless you!  We understand that there are seasons to our life.  Sometimes God calls us to another place.  Please leave well! 

What happens if I’ve been a member at another church?
If you would like to let your previous church know that you have joined Granite Springs, you are welcome to do so.  We ask that all people participate in our membership process regardless of any previous church membership. 

Are there any tangible benefits of membership? 
In addition to your public commitment to Jesus and his church there are a few fringe benefits of membership.  Ok, we admit they’re small, but you should know about them anyway.  Members of GS…

• have voting privileges at congregational meetings.
• are eligible to hold offices of elder and deacon at Granite Springs.
• have priority access to the facility for ministry events, etc. and can rent the facility for family or personal events at reduced rates.
• Join the people of God everywhere is proclaiming their allegiance to Christ and His church.  Thanks for coming together with us to build the kingdom.

How do I know if I’m ready for membership? 
First, we ask that you have been attending Granite Springs regularly for at least 6 months?  We want you to have the opportunity to “kick the tires” of life around here and see if it fits for you.  There are many Christian churches in which you can serve God and grow as a follower of him.  We want you to have some clarity about your fit in this church.  Second, it’s really up to you.  Think about how you might answer the questions under the membership interview section.  Do you feel ready to answer?  Do you still have questions about the questions?  Feel free to talk with Doug or Kevin about any questions or concerns you might have?

What is the membership covenant? 
It describes the commitment we make each other as members of this church.  We say that for as long as God calls us to this place, we commit by God’s grace to living according to the covenant. 

Do I need to get baptized? 
If you’ve never been baptized in a Christian Church (in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit), then yes, it is your privilege to be baptized.

What exactly is baptism and how is it related to membership?  I’ve seen a “profession of faith” at Granite Springs Church.  What is that? 

About Baptism...

• Baptism points to Jesus Christ as the one who forgives our sins, washes them away and provides for our salvation.  Baptism does not itself wash away our sins.  It is a sign of what has already taken place.

• Baptism is a sign and seal of God’s love and acceptance that comes to us in Jesus Christ.  It declares that the Holy Spirit has renewed us and set us apart so that we belong to Christ.

•  Baptism does not guarantee salvation, only trusting in Christ by faith does.

• Children of believing parents are baptized to show that they too are promised forgiveness of sin through Christ and that they belong to Christ and to His Church.  We look forward to the day these children publicly profess their faith in Christ.

About Public Profession of Faith...

• It is for those baptized as infants or young children who now as an adult are ready to make their own public confession that they are a follower of Jesus. 

• Some traditions call this ‘Confirmation’

About Membership...

• Membership means a public commitment to Granite Springs Church

• It is a reaffirmation of one’s public profession of faith. 

• Adults who make public profession of faith or adults who are baptized automatically become members.