Covenant Membership

What is Covenant Membership?

A church is a people to belong to. We call those who belong to this church Covenant Members.

We get the language of membership from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians.

“The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” …But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another… Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:21–27, ESV)

Churches throughout history have given tangible expression of their membership to Christ and to one another through a formal membership process. The first century church planting handbook, The Didache, details a formal instruction of prospective members, an official announcement to the church community, and baptism marking the official admission of a member.

The term “covenant” simply means “formal agreement,” “solemn promise,” or “public commitment” between two or more parties. We see several examples of covenants throughout the Scriptures.

When we describe church membership as a “covenant commitment” to a local community of believers, we are simply saying that by becoming a member of a particular church, we are not simply entering into rights and privileges, but we are assuming certain responsibilities and obligations.

The Journey’s Membership Covenant

The local church is God’s primary instrument in the world today. All Christians are united in the Lord’s universal church, but the New Testament assumes every believer will express their membership in the universal church through membership in a particular local church. (Matthew 28:18–20; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 12:21–27)

As a matter of prudence, we formalize and solemnize this commitment to membership with one another through the use of a Membership Covenant. This Membership Covenant represents a voluntary commitment to God and one another regarding how we will live out our Christian discipleship. (1 Samuel 18:3; Psalm 89:3, 34)

Covenant Commitments

As people who have been saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone and empowered by the Spirit to live out our discipleship to Christ, we covenant with one another. As members of The Journey, we will …

Belong to the Body of Christ by …

  • Gathering and participating in the life and rhythms of the church. (Acts 2:42–47, Hebrews 10:23–25)

  • Using the gifts, talents, and resources God has given us to build up the body of Christ. (Acts 2:44–45, 4:32–37; 1 Corinthians 12:4–7; 2 Corinthians 8–9; 1 Timothy 5:17–18)

  • Loving and praying for one another regularly. (John 13:34–35; Romans 12:13, 15; Colossians 3:12–15)

  • Protecting and praying for church unity. (Matthew 18:15, Romans 12:16–21, Ephesians 4:1–3, Titus 3:10)

Become Maturing Disciples of Jesus Christ by …

  • Cultivating a life of learning and love for God. (Psalm 1:1–2, Matthew 22:37–38, 1 Thessalonians 5:17)

  • Pursuing a life of obedience to God. (John 14:15, Romans 12:1–2, Galatians 5:22–23)

  • Exhorting and admonishing one another towards Christian maturity. (Matthew 18:15–20, 1 Corinthians 5, Galatians 6:1–2, Colossians 3:16, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Hebrews 3:12–13, James 5:19–20)

Be Sent to Invite Others on the Journey by …

  • Praying daily for the lost. (John 6:44, Romans 10:1, Colossians 4:2–4)

  • Sharing the gospel with our friends, neighbors, coworkers, and family members. (Matthew 28:19; Luke 24:46–47; Romans 1:16, 10:14–17; 1 Corinthians 15:1–4; 1 Peter 3:15)

Membership Process

  • The first step towards Covenant Membership in the church is an informational meeting with a Pastor/Elder. This meeting will be an opportunity for the elders to share about our church and the membership process.

    If, after hearing about our church, you wish to continue down the membership process we will schedule a Membership Interview.

  • Step 2: Membership Interview

    The second step towards Covenant Membership is the Membership Interview with an Elder. At this interview, we want to accomplish two things. First, we want to ensure you have a grasp on the essential things that make one truly a member of the body of Christ, namely faith in the Gospel. Second, we want to ensure you understand what it means to be a member of this local body of Christ, namely in understanding and signing our Statement of Faith and Church Covenant. Lastly, we want to invite you to be baptized as a believer if you have not been already.

    We ask that all prospective members be prepared to answer the following questions.

    1. In your own words, what is the Gospel?

    2. When and how did you come to believe in the Gospel?

    3. What questions, comments, or concerns do you have about our Statement of Faith and/or Membership Covenant?

    4. Would you be willing to sign these documents?

    5. Have you been baptized upon your profession of faith? If not, we would love to Baptize you.

    Upon signing the Statement of Faith and Church Covenant the prospective member is ready to be presented to the congregation for a vote!

  • The third and final step towards Covenant Membership is the Congregational Vote. We believe the responsibility for admitting new Covenant Members lies with the current Covenant Members, our Congregation. At the next quarterly or special Members’ Meeting you will be introduced to our church, your story will be shared, and pending any objections the congregation will vote to admit you as a member of The Journey Church Houston to be presented at our next Corporate Worship Gathering.

Where do I start?

We would love to connect with you and help you take this step of faith in becoming a Covenant Member. If you’re interested in becoming a Covenant Member please fill out the Connect Card below and indicate you are interested in learning more about membership. One of our elders will reach out and schedule an informational soon!

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