Count me in!

Although the Bible does not talk about church membership by name, it does make a clear difference between those who are part of the church family, and those who are just looking in (1 Cor 5:12 [show] [12]For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? (ESV)
and 1 Jn 2:19 [show] [19]They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. (ESV)
). Early church practice was, it seems, to formally receive people into fellowship with the church (Gal 2:9 [show] [9]and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. (ESV)
).

The Bible knows nothing of solitary Christianity, but assumes that all Christians will be actively committed to a local church. Therefore when people have been amongst us in our church life for a few weeks or months, and have had a chance to gain a first impression of Jubilee, we encourage them to take part in a “Count me in!” day. This day is to help them decide whether Jubilee is the church family God intends for them, or whether there is another church which He is calling them to be fully involved in.

A “count me in!” day includes a lunch after the Sunday morning service and talks covering our core beliefs, values and vision, and gives people a chance to meet the church leaders and ask any questions they might have. It is a great context for clarifying which local church God is calling you to be a part of. We also encourage everyone to attend an Alpha “Away” day as part of this process, which focuses on our teaching about the Holy Spirit.

Please contact us about booking your place for our next “Count me in!” lunch on Sunday 13 June 2010.