1. Biblical Commitment 

“Be devoted to one another in love.” (Rom. 12:10) 

Membership is about loving commitment to God’s people out of obedience and love for God. It is the natural fruit of responding to the gospel. After hearing Peter’s sermon, 3000 people repented in faith to Christ, were baptized, and then were added to the church. Belonging to the church is an identity which must be expressed concretely. There was and is no such thing as believing in Jesus apart from a deep commitment to the local church. For us, membership in a low-commitment culture is a way of being counter-cultural and saying visibly, “I’m part of this church.” It’s going from being a “fan” of EEC to becoming a “family member.” From saying “I like EEC” to “I’m committed to EEC.” Though there are many amazing churches in Hong Kong, you are saying “this is where my church home is. I am on board with EEC’s teaching, values, vision, and mission.” 

In Scripture, there are clearly well-defined boundaries as to who is “inside” the church and who is “outside” as seen in the lists of widows (1 Tim. 5:9) and putting out a member from the church (1 Cor. 5:3-5). When a believer moved from one church to another, letters of commendation were often written to the new church (Acts 18:27; Rom. 16:1; Col. 4:10; cf. 2 Cor. 3:1-2). In a transient culture, membership is an important way to stop dating the church and settle down to marry her! 

2. Following Jesus in Community 

Membership is also about commitment to the journey of growing as a disciple of Jesus in community. A disciple is someone who is growing in trusting Jesus as Saviour and joyfully obeying him as Lord in every area of life. God has given church community because Christians cannot grow as disciples independently. The responsibility the church has for one another is expressed in the New Testament in over 50 “one another” sayings (see Rom. 12:6-8; Heb. 10:24-25; 1 Pet. 4:10-11). one another One key passage is Hebrews 3:13, which says “Exhort one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Sin is deceitful. It creeps up on us subtly and we are often blind to it. Members therefore see their responsibility not to ignore those who are struggling, absent, or going astray, but to encourage, rebuke, correct, and serve them on that journey of discipleship. In effect, we’re saying, “I want to help you grow in godliness, will you help me do the same?” 

3. Reaching the Lost 

Intrinsic to discipleship is the call to make disciples (Matt. 28:19-20). Members see that reaching out to others is not only the job of the pastor or staff, it is the call for every believer to play a part in God’s great redemptive mission in the world. In a world where we’re looking to live purposeful lives, membership states formally, “I am part of something bigger than myself. I want to be involved with the church’s mission.” 

4. Submitting to Godly Leaders 

“So I exhort the elders among you… shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising  oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain,  but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.” (1 Pet.  5:1-3) 

Following Christ also means submitting to godly elders. The role of elders (pastors) is summed up in the biblical image of shepherds with a flock, feeding them with truth, caring for them, leading them, and protecting them from being led astray. Any sheep that has no shepherd is vulnerable to being eaten by the wolves of sin or false doctrines (Acts 20:28-29).

Pastors’ authority comes not merely from a title but from the Word of God they speak and the character of their lives lived in obedience to that Word (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Tit. 1:5-9). As pastors seek to follow Christ, so the flock should seek to follow their leading as it is in line with Scripture. Just like Christ was a servant, pastors in the church are to be servant-leaders not power-hungry (1 Pet. 5:2-3). Where pastors or other members are acting out of line with Scripture, it is the members’ responsibility to seek to graciously correct, rebuke, and encourage them to come back to Christ. (1 Pet. 5:2-3). Where elders or other members are acting out of line with Scripture, it is the members’ responsibility to seek to graciously correct, rebuke, and encourage them to come back to Christ. 

“Obey your leaders and submit to them for they are keeping watch over your souls as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of  no advantage to you.” (Heb. 13:17) 

Pastors will be called to account by God for how they have watched over the flock. It is important for them to know who they are accountable for. Membership is important for pastors to know who their sheep are, so they can pray, support, and care for them. Likewise, it is also important that the flock know who their shepherds are so they can submit to them.

Read: EEC Church Covenant and Member Responsibilities

Step 1: Attend Membership Matters

 
Step 2: Meet with Church Pastor or Leader  

If you decide to move into membership, a leader will meet with you to talk about:

• Your faith journey
• Your understanding of membership and intent to join the church
• Questions you may have and further opportunities to connect and serve at EEC

Our hope is to get to know you better and you us in this process.

Step 3: Get to Know the Church

• The members of the church will be informed that you would like to join
• This gives everyone a chance to intentionally get to know each other better

 
Step 4: Welcomed as a Member

• Officially welcomed into the church during a Sunday worship service

Fear of Commitment

This is very real in our culture. We fear being tied down, restricted, or missing out on other “better” options. The gospel though challenges us that we find our greatest freedom not in our independence and autonomy, but in a rooted community where we are committed in love.

Fear of Authority

Some people have had bad experiences of leadership which have scarred them. Sadly, authority is often abused to beat people into submission rather than to serve others the way God calls leaders to. It takes time to heal through hurts and conflict. At the same time, part of the healing process from bad leadership is to find godly leadership to encourage and care for you. God has gifted and called leaders in the church to care and lead his people. Their service is an important for you as part of Christ’s body.
At EEC we believe that transparent and mutually accountable relationship between leaders and members is essential for a healthy church. We understand that leaders no matter how godly or experienced will fail. We encourage you to take time to get to know church leaders and the structures in place for members and leaders to work together. As you do so we hope you will find confidence to join a local church trusting the power of the Holy Spirit at work in His people.

Hurt by a Previous Church

We understand that it can be very hard and difficult to open yourself up after having been hurt by a church community. The process of healing and forgiveness takes much time, patience, and prayer. The solution however is not to distance yourself from God’s people, but to join a church that is healthy and that can help encourage, support, and build you up again. We need to be part of a church body to grow, but the church is full of sinners and often ends up hurting each other. This is why there are so many repeated commands in Scripture for Christians to forgive each other, bear with each other, and look to each other’s interests in humility. Don’t feel discouraged! Hold on to the gospel truth that God will finish the work of salvation he started and that in Christ there is healing and forgiveness. This is true for yourself and also for the church community you were hurt by.

Short/Uncertain Length of Stay

Don’t let uncertainty about the future keep you from obedience in the present! We encourage you to join the church, whether you’re here for only 1 year, 2 years, or 20 years! Your commitment to a local church is important for you to keep growing as a disciple. It gives you a chance to serve God where he has placed you right now. People often stay longer than they initially thought, so do not press pause in your discipleship but get involved.

I Am Already a Member of Another Church, Can I Still Be a Member of EEC?

We recognize some people are only in Hong Kong temporarily and will go back to their previous churches in other countries. In such cases, yes, you can be a member of both. However, membership is about investing in one church family, so if you are a member of a church in Hong Kong, we would ask you to transfer your membership to EEC and talk with a pastor about any further issues.