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Crestview Baptist Church
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Membership Matters

The salvation that believers find through Jesus Christ transforms our lives. God has made us to need other believers around us to teach and encourage us. The church is the people of God – a band of brothers and sisters who have experience salvation through Jesus Christ and are striving to walk with him. There is a unity and a love among the community of believers that is stronger than individual differences in background, economic status, race, or culture. According to Ephesians 3:10, the church displays God’s glory to the universe, “through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places” (ESV). According to the Bible, actively participating in the community of believers is normal for those who follow Christ. Loving, teaching, encouraging, equipping, praying, serving, confronting, and giving to one another is necessary for our individual spiritual health. Jesus said that the world will know that believers are his disciples because of the observed love and care of the church for one another: “Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, 'Where I am going you cannot come.' A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:33-35 (ESV). Joining a local community of believers helps both you and the church understand and recognize the mutual commitment being made to each other. Just like a marriage defines the relationship between a man and woman, so too church membership defines the relationship between believers with one another. At Crestview we articulate this commitment with our church covenant. It defines our relationship and responsibilities for each other. Without membership it is difficult to know who is a part of the church and who the pastors/elders are responsible for shepherding. Joining the church is an encouragement to you, to other believers, to your leaders, is a testimony of your faith to the city, and glorifies God. Click here for Church Matters Audio Messages. Crestview Membership Covenant>>