COVENANT MEMBERSHIP DOCUMENT | MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM

We invite all who wish to become members of Jericho Ridge Community Church to initiate the covenant membership process. For those who are currently members at JRCC, we ask that you reaffirm your membership on a yearly basis.   

Why church membership?

If we call ourselves Christians we are part (a member) of the Body of Christ that is strategically placed throughout the world. We also see that God’s word also recognizes smaller congregations and encourages them to be organized. Paul instructs the elders in Ephesus to watch over the flock, which would be impossible if the elders did not know who the flock was. The majority of the books of our New Testament were written to local churches that were scattered throughout the Mediterranean, showing that local churches were established.

Why should I become a covenant member of Jericho Ridge?

One of Jericho Ridge’s core values is community; we believe that God is eternal community. God exists in perfect fellowship of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe that God has created men and women to also live in community with one another. Therefore, we will sacrificially serve one another in authentic community. A byproduct of authentic community, according to scripture, is its inherent attraction to unbelievers. As Jesus said, "By this will all men know that you are my disciples if you demonstrate love for one another."

Although the word "membership" is not mentioned in the Bible itself, we can see evidence of it through out the New Testament. In Acts 2:37-47 we see that at Pentecost a numerical record was kept of those who entered into faith. Furthermore, records were kept of widows (1 Tim 5:3-16), elections were conducted (Acts 6:1-6), and there was an awareness of who church members were (Romans 16:1-16).

Also, to help facilitate a biblical community that can be held accountable to the precepts
that are given throughout Scripture, we believe that God has given elders a special task in
the church. We can see this in the Scriptures when Paul speaks with the Ephesian elders in
Acts 20:28, "Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit
has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own
blood.”

We also see in Hebrews 13:17 that the church is commanded to “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.” We believe that covenant membership is one way that elders can more easily fulfill their God given role in our community, and also help others fulfill their role and calling. This can be seen in 2 Timothy 4:1-2, “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.”

Are there membership benefits?

By entering into a covenant membership with Jericho Ridge you do not have special status among other believers. Entering into a covenant with the community of Jericho Ridge is a form of accountability that goes both ways, one in which Jericho Ridge and its leaders are held accountable to you, and that you are held accountable to them. This covenant is an attempt to allow the elders and leadership of Jericho Ridge to fulfill what God has called them to and to assist you in your own spiritual development and maturity.

The commitments mentioned in this covenant should not be read as contractual obligations, but rather as the aspirational statements of intent and an expression of support for one another as a part of the local family of God called together for His mission in Willoughby and the world. It is not designed to keep people in or out, but is designed to foster a sense of unity and purposeful community amongst those who willingly submit to God and one another and who thus become a covenanting member at Jericho Ridge Community Church.

Access a copy of our Membership Covenant.