The Big Interview

In just a couple of hours I will be engaging in one of the most important interviews of my life: the interview for church membership. We've been attending North Cincinnati Community Church since mid July, and I'm excited about being received by them as a new member in the near future. I've attended the inquirer's class, completed the paperwork, and all that's left is meeting with an elder. In reality the "interview" is not as intense as it sounds. It basically involves an elder attempting to ensure that the prospective new member is a Christian, and understands the vows he or she will be taking:

1. Do you acknowledge yourself to be a sinner in the sight of God, justly deserving His displeasure and without hope except by His gracious mercy, and do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the only Savior of sinners, receiving and depending upon Him alone for salvation as he is offered in the Gospel?

2. Do you resolve and promise in humble reliance upon the Holy Spirit that you will endeavor to live as a follower of Christ?

3. Do you submit yourself to the government and discipline of the church, promising both to further its purity and peace?

4. Do you promise to support and participate in the church's worship and work?

When I was younger I viewed church membership as a frivolous activity people engaged in so they could vote on issues such as which paper towel dispenser to install in the restrooms, and at what time the Christmas Eve service should be held. However, over the past few years I've come to realize how important church membership truly is. This realization was intensified about year ago when I was challenged with this statement: "There's no faith outside of church membership." Yikes! When I first heard this, red flags and sirens when up all over the place. Talk about a rash and extreme statement. However, as I chewed on it for a while I began to understand what the person was saying.

Though I don't believe you have to be a member of a church to be "saved," I do believe church membership is an important part of a Christian's faith. First of all, it serves as a public profession that Jesus Christ alone is the savior of sinners. In addition, it serves as an opportunity for a Christian to make a public commitment to fellow believers. It reflects an acknowledgement that the people of God are not loners, but belong to the body of Christ, and share in a unique and intimate fellowship with God and each other.

As a result of moving so frequently in the past few years, Lizz and I have discovered how critical it is to find a church home, and we are eager and delighted to embrace NCCC as our new church family.