The church is a community of God’s redeemed people. We need one another, and
we need to be there for one another. We provide opportunities each week for
worship, study, and fellowship. We think it’s important to arrange our schedules so
that we can participate in as many of these as possible.
The Bible also teaches that the church is a holy community. That word “holy” may
sound intimidating. We are all very aware of our own faults. To be holy, however,
simply means that we are set apart, different from the world around us, so that we
can be recognized as belonging to God. It doesn’t mean weird, but pure.
We are also an accountable community. First, we are accountable to God who is our
Judge. But we are also accountable to one another, not to judge one another, but to
help one another be the people that God wants us to be. Because none of us is
everything God wants us to be, we confess to one another, pray for one another,
and assure one another of God’s love and forgiveness.
We are also a sharing community. We share our time, our talents, and our money for
the good of the whole church. Each Sunday we take a collection. This is an
opportunity for us to release part of what God has blessed us with so that it can be
used for the good of everyone.
A Different Kind of Membership
Membership in the church is much different from membership in any club or
organization that you may belong to. When we talk about being a “member” of the
church, we’re actually drawing on an old use of the word, which means a part of the
body. The Bible teaches that the church is “the body of Christ” and that as
individuals we are all important parts of that body.
That means that we are controlled by the head (Jesus) , attached to the rest of the
body (the church), and have a role (a gift or ministry) to perform.
Membership in the church is not determined by being voted in, filling out an
application, or paying dues, but by our connection to Jesus and to one another.
Before we can establish that connection, we have to break our old loyalties - our
loyalties to sin and to self. That’s called “repentance.” Then, as we confess our faith
in Jesus and our trust in him to save us, we are united to Christ and with his body
when we are immersed in water (baptized). Then we’re “members” of Christ and
his body.
In the body of Christ, we stand united with believers throughout the world. We grow
and use our gifts best, however, in a local fellowship of Christians. We invite you to
grow with us at the Albany Church of Christ.
we need to be there for one another. We provide opportunities each week for
worship, study, and fellowship. We think it’s important to arrange our schedules so
that we can participate in as many of these as possible.
The Bible also teaches that the church is a holy community. That word “holy” may
sound intimidating. We are all very aware of our own faults. To be holy, however,
simply means that we are set apart, different from the world around us, so that we
can be recognized as belonging to God. It doesn’t mean weird, but pure.
We are also an accountable community. First, we are accountable to God who is our
Judge. But we are also accountable to one another, not to judge one another, but to
help one another be the people that God wants us to be. Because none of us is
everything God wants us to be, we confess to one another, pray for one another,
and assure one another of God’s love and forgiveness.
We are also a sharing community. We share our time, our talents, and our money for
the good of the whole church. Each Sunday we take a collection. This is an
opportunity for us to release part of what God has blessed us with so that it can be
used for the good of everyone.
A Different Kind of Membership
Membership in the church is much different from membership in any club or
organization that you may belong to. When we talk about being a “member” of the
church, we’re actually drawing on an old use of the word, which means a part of the
body. The Bible teaches that the church is “the body of Christ” and that as
individuals we are all important parts of that body.
That means that we are controlled by the head (Jesus) , attached to the rest of the
body (the church), and have a role (a gift or ministry) to perform.
Membership in the church is not determined by being voted in, filling out an
application, or paying dues, but by our connection to Jesus and to one another.
Before we can establish that connection, we have to break our old loyalties - our
loyalties to sin and to self. That’s called “repentance.” Then, as we confess our faith
in Jesus and our trust in him to save us, we are united to Christ and with his body
when we are immersed in water (baptized). Then we’re “members” of Christ and
his body.
In the body of Christ, we stand united with believers throughout the world. We grow
and use our gifts best, however, in a local fellowship of Christians. We invite you to
grow with us at the Albany Church of Christ.
| Albany Church of Christ |
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| Albany Church of Christ 417 N. Main; P.O. Box 1207 Albany, TX 76430 (325) 762-2078 |
Church is Community