Beyond the biblical reasons for membership, we believe that it is for all believers to grow in commitment to community and to the church in general. We believe that authentic growth, community and mission do not happen by accident, but that great possibility awaits us when we intentionally commit to one another as followers of Jesus.
When the Bible speaks of the church, it uses two primary metaphors to describe it. The first is a body. 1 Corinthians 12:12 says, “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ’’. Then in verse 27, it says, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
This is a beautiful illustration of how each person is created to be a part of the church, this body, with different functions and gifts. All of us together, then, as unique and individual parts, find purpose and unity under Jesus, who according to Colossians 1 is the “head of the body” (the church), and we who are Christians, according to the Bible, are members of this church.
Scripture also describes the church as a family. Ephesians 2:19-22 says, “You are members of God’s family. And together, we are His house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord.” Here we see that a Christian is one who belongs to the family of God. We see that faith in Jesus Christ not only means that God is our Father, but that we are joined to His family.
When we look at the early church from the Bible in the book of Acts, coming to faith in Christ also meant belonging to His church (Acts 2:41, 47; 5:14; 16:5).
As Christians, we are members of God’s household (Eph. 2:19), called to function, participate, and minister in a particular place within the body of Christ. A healthy body requires that each member do its part well. A healthy church requires the same: members who are sacrificially committed and well-equipped to do the works of service that God has prepared in advance for them to do (Eph. 2:10; 4:12). The Edge Church holds its members in high regard; we expect them to lead as missionaries of the gospel to the culture. For it is God, in his sovereignty, who has placed us in this city, amongst these people, in this century, for a reason (Acts 17:26-27).
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them… (Romans 12: 3-8)
Being a member of The Edge Church is really about being part of a family. All members are disciples of Jesus, unified by their identity in Christ. This unity is expressed in the way we come together to love God, love each other, and love non-Christians. Members who commit to one another in community within the church are called to a higher degree of responsibility and service. At the same time, the leaders of the church are committed to assist members, to love and lead, provide counsel and aid, and pray for, teach, and guide them.
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace… (1 Peter 4: 8-10)
We believe that God wants every Christian to be committed to a local church family. We believe that becoming a member of a church can be a life-changing decision. The preaching, teaching, fellowship, opportunities to use spiritual gifts, and mutual accountability that you experience in a church can dramatically change your relationship with the Lord and with the people he places in your life. Therefore, we invite you to take time to get to know our church, learn how we are fulfilling God’s command to build His church (1 Cor. 14:26) and reach out to others, and see how we love and relate to one another in everyday life.
How do I become a member?
Membership at The Edge is pretty simple—attend our one-time membership class. This class will give you an understanding of who we are, what we believe, the vision God has put in our hearts and how we are together fulfilling His mission as a community. After attending, you will have the opportunity to decide if membership is for you. You can use the contact form on edgeaurora.com to express your interest in attending a class.
Why does The Edge have members?
When you read the New Testament, you won’t find any commandments to formally join and become a member of a local church. However, membership is certainly implied all throughout the New Testament. In fact, the idea of experiencing salvation without belonging to a local church is completely contrary to what we see in the New Testament. The New Testament and its letters demonstrate that believers were committed to a local gathering or expression of the larger universal church which was specifically identifiable and organized.
To be clear, joining a church doesn’t make you a Christian; yet at the same time, to identify your life with the person of Christ is to join your life with the people of Christ. To surrender your life to His commands is to commit your life to His church. It is biblically, spiritually, and practically impossible to be a disciple of Christ (much less make disciples of Christ) apart from total devotion to a family of Christians.
What’s the difference between a member and a regular attender?
At The Edge, we make a distinction between “members” and “guests.” Non-members are viewed as guests, and remain to a certain extent separated from our church family. While guests are completely loved by our community, they are considered uncommitted to our community. They stand outside of the protection, accountability, care, and favor that come with being an active member of the church. The Bible admonishes us to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ (Eph. 5:21). Membership is our public response to this call; it demonstrates our commitment to those around us. Guests are simply attendees that have not yet made this public commitment to The Edge.
It may not make much difference for visitors and non-Christians, but Christians who consume rather than commit to a local church do a disservice to Jesus’ body (the church) and themselves. Members, on the other hand, boldly and unashamedly participate as the church: sacrificing their time, talents, and treasure; committing to the care and growth of their fellow members; and submitting to the authority God has established to lead our community. In short, the difference between a member and a non-member is that members have committed to one another in fulfilling our mission.
What does it mean to be “on a mission” together?
To be on a mission at The Edge means that you’re a Christian who has committed your life to Jesus, and that you affirm The Edge’s Mission Statement by living for Jesus, loving and relating to other Christians, and by boldly telling the world around you about the Gospel (Matt. 28:18-20). These expressions are only possible when you know the love of God the Father and have an identity that is established in Jesus.
Should I become a member?
The Edge Church is a family that has been adopted by God (Gal. 4:6-7; Eph. 1:5). We care for each other, pray for each other, and serve together. If you’re already a Christian, if you’re already actively taking part in some form of The Edge community, if you’re already giving of your finances and your time, then you’re already fulfilling some functions of a member. Without making a commitment, however, it is difficult for The Edge to provide the same level of pastoral care and community support, in part because we may not know who you are, and in part because the Bible requires that we take care of our family first (Eph. 2:19 cf. Gal. 6:10).
If you’re not a Christian, don’t worry about membership until you’ve been reconciled to God through Jesus. If you are a Christian who has spent a lot of time at The Edge, however, search your heart and identify your hesitation. There may be valid reasons to abstain from membership at The Edge at this time. But remember, we’re rebels by nature; if you scoff at the very idea of church membership, ask yourself why—and don’t hesitate to speak with one of the elders.
What are the benefits of being a member?
Scripture calls us a body, a family, a household; being a Christian is not a solo effort. Jesus works through the church (Eph. 2:10), the church is Jesus’ body (1 Cor. 12:27), and apart from Jesus, we can do nothing (John 15). Church membership is not like membership at other places, where we “belong” in the sense that we get to be exclusively served.
Members are the church. “In love [God] predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ … so then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God’’ (Ephesians 1:4-5; 2:19).
You don’t join for the perks—although there are certain opportunities only available to members. The real benefit is that we get to worship Jesus together, serve in His kingdom, and be children of God! We enjoy the guidance that his Word provides, and, when sin comes between us, we enjoy the reconciliation Jesus’ blood provides.
Do members have to be baptized?
Since Jesus commands that all of his disciples be baptized, baptism is an expectation for all members of The Edge Church (Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38; 10:48; 1 Peter 3:21). If you’ve already been baptized since you became a Christian, you don’t need to get re-baptized. The Edge performs believer baptisms only, which means we don’t baptize infants (we do, however, perform dedications).
What are Member Commitments?
Our Member Commitments are similar to biblical covenants in which we commit to obligate ourselves to one another in such a way that the obligation of one party is not dependent on the faithfulness of the other (Ez. 20:44; 36:22; Ps. 76:11; Hosea 2:19-20; 3:1; 2 Tim. 2:13). We ask our members to sign their commitment so that we know that prospective members understand what it means to be a part of the church and to be faithful to the laws of the state that require proof of membership. The commitments are not legally binding or some sort of cultic rite. They are simply an affirmation, an agreement, and a source of accountability for both the church and its individual members.
Do the Member Commitments end?
There may be personal reasons for why a committed member may choose to rescind membership. Once again, as members of the family of God, members are encouraged to not simply leave but rather are encouraged to share this information with the elders prior to leaving as it is the heart and desire of The Edge Church to bless each member who is moving on to what God has next.
Examples of healthy reasons to end membership:
Moving away for work, family or ministry
Getting married
Finding a healthy church closer to your own neighborhood
Difference of doctrinal views
Examples of unhealthy ways to end membership:
Leaving the church out of a spirit of consumerism
Leaving during a time of sin and rebellion
Leaving in a state of hurt or offense
Leaving in any manner that is unloving, dishonoring or divisive to the body
Leaving without first informing the elders
If at any time an individual member feels as though they cannot continue to be a submitted member of The Edge Church body, they are encouraged to lovingly and humbly express their concerns to the elders of the church.