Membership
At OCF, church membership is a joyful covenant with God’s people in a local body. It’s how we commit to one another in love, use our gifts to serve, and partner together in the mission of the gospel. Our prayer is that you will find OCF to be a true spiritual home where you can belong, grow, and be cared for in Christ.
Why Become a Member
Becoming a member of a church is not like becoming a member of your local gym, country club, or grocery store. Rather, to become a member of a church is to formally covenant and commit yourself to God’s people, in Christ, in a local context. Church membership is a tangible way of demonstrating that you are a member of the household of God (Eph 2:19), a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:27), and a partner in the gospel (Phil. 1:5) by faith in the person and work of Jesus.
In Christ, we are spiritually united; the local church is the primary place where that new union is tangibly expressed. The church is meant to be a home, not a hotel, where members gladly exercise their God-given gifts to “build up” the church in love (Eph. 4:11-16; 1 Cor. 12-14). Therefore, a vital component of membership is participation in the life of the church: to know and be known by others, to use your God-given gifts to serve others, and to faithfully steward your financial resources for the care of the church and the spread of the gospel.
In addition to your participation and commitment to OCF, membership formalizes OCF’s commitment to you. Elders are called to care for, lead, feed, protect, and oversee the church as undershepherds to our Chief Shepherd, Jesus (1 Peter 5:4). They are to do so joyfully and personally, as they will give an account to God for those entrusted to their care (Heb. 13:17). Membership means that you are entrusted to our care, where we can joyfully and personally care for you.
By God’s grace, OCF will always be a church where all are welcome to attend, to hear the gospel preached and practiced, and to experience a Christ-centered worshipping community. However, while all are welcome to attend, not everyone is permitted to partner with OCF in ministry and leadership. Nor will nonmembers have a voice in the direction of OCF. As an elder-led and congregationally-governed church, it is the members of OCF that are ultimately responsible for who will lead the church (the elders) and how resources are allocated for the mission of the church (the budget).
In a world plagued by sin, individualism, and consumerism, church membership may seem counter cultural. In many ways it is. But cultural norms have never been the plumbline for God’s people; Scripture is. And the New Testament has a lot to say about the necessity of thick community found in local church membership.
The Bible uses the word church to describe the way in which the early Christians lived and were organized. From the beginning, we see that the local church is primary to God’s purposes.
- Acts 8:1 “There arose on that day a great persecution against the church…”
- Acts 11:22 “The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem…”
- Acts 11:26 “For a whole year they met with the church…”
- Acts 12:1 “Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church…”
- Acts 12:5 “Earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church…”
- Acts 14:27 “And when they arrived and gathered the church together…”
- Acts 15:3 “So, being sent on their way by the church…”
- Acts 15:4 “They were welcomed by the church…
The first Christians were “added” to the church. To become a follower of God was to be added to the people of God. Church membership represents being “added” to a particular local church.
- Acts 2:41 “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”
- Acts 2:47 “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
An intentional record was kept. In other words, the early church counted heads and kept records of those who demonstrated faith in Jesus Christ – likely for purposes of planning and care (cf. Acts 6; 1 Tim 5:9).
- Acts 1:15 “a group numbering about a hundred and twenty.”
- Acts 2:41 “there were added that day about three thousand souls.”
- Acts 4:4 “the number of the men came to about five thousand.”
It is evident that the church was not a random collection of individuals who happened to gather once or twice a week. There was a common commitment to, and mutual dependence on, other followers of Christ in the context of a local church.
- Acts 2:42-47 “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayers…and all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people.”
Church membership allows the pastors/elders to know who they are ultimately responsible for. In Scripture they were responsible for specific sheep (i.e. the flock). It is for this flock that pastors will have to give an account before Jesus Christ (Heb 13:17). To give an account, pastors/elders must know who they are accountable for. They cannot be responsible for everyone, but only those who are part of their flock.
- 1 Peter 5:2 “Shepherd the flock of God that is among you…not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.”
- 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.”
Just as the pastors/elders must know who they are responsible for, the church must know who they are to follow. By becoming a member of a local church you are placing yourself under the watch and care of specific leaders who have been given the task of shepherding your soul. Church membership is the act of committing to a specific flock that is graciously governed by qualified elders.
- Heb 13:17 “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.”
- 1 Tim 5:17 “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor…”
Church discipline implies church membership. In each of the following cases, an individual is living in stubborn, unrepentant sin and thus removed from the church. The question this raises is, “How can someone be removed from the church who has not first belonged to it?” They can’t. Someone cannot be put out of the church if they have never officially been in the church.
- 1 Cor 5:13 “God judges those outside. ‘Purge the evil person from among you..’”
- Titus 3:10 “As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him…”
- 1 John 2:19 “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued to be with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.”
- Mat 18:15-20 “If your brother sins against you…if he refuses to listen, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”
Throughout the book of Acts the Apostle Paul’s aim was to plant churches, not just convert isolated, independent individuals.
- Acts 14:23 “Appointed elders in every church…”
- Acts 15:41 “He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches…”
- Acts 16:5 “So the churches were strengthened in the faith…”
The metaphors used to describe the church exhibit interconnection and interdependence and they cannot refer solely to the universal church (all Christians). It is impossible to be “family” or part of the same “body” with people we do not know or are not in direct proximity with. God chose these particular metaphors to describe a people that are vitally and organically committed to one another. Church membership represents the commitment to live out our corporate identity in Christ.
- Eph 2:19 “You are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens…”
- Phil 3:20 “But our citizenship is in heaven…”
- 1 Cor 12:12 “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. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body…For the body does not consist of one member but of many…As it is, there are many parts, yet one body…now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”
- 2 Cor 6:16 “We are the temple of the living God…”
- Eph 2:22 “In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God….”
- 1 Peter 2:5 “You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house…”
- Eph 2:19 “You are no longer strangers… but…members of the household of God.”
- Gal 6:10 “Let us do good to everyone…especially to… the household of faith.”
- Heb 3:6 “Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son…we are his house…”
Principles of Membership
Any person may become a member who professes faith in Jesus Christ as their personal savior, who has been baptized, who conducts themselves in accordance with the teachings of the Scriptures, who agrees with the Statement of Faith, and is willing to abide by the Member duties and responsibilities.
Anyone, desiring to become a Member of OCF shall complete a Membership class and make an application for Membership. The applicant shall become a member upon approval by the Board of Elders. New members shall be publicly acknowledged at a public worship service.
The privilege of Membership has certain duties and responsibilities. Members, by God’s grace, commit to:
- Continue to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ (Eph 4:14-16, 1 Cor 14:20);
- Conduct themselves in accordance with the teachings of the Scriptures (Jn 17:17);
- Honor, love, and pray for the Church leadership and one another (Eph 6:18-20, 1 Tim 5:17);
- Work and pray for the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace in joyful submission to Christ, His undershepherds, and His church (Eph 4:1-6, Phil 2:1-4, Heb 13:17);
- Participate in the Church’s mission (Matt 22:37-40; 28:18-20, Acts 1:8, Col 1:28);
- Attend Church worship services regularly and Business Meetings annually or as called (Heb 24-25);
- Participate in the ministry and life of OCF and serve according to God’s leadings, using your God-given gifts (e.g., time, skills, and material resources) in alignment with the Church’s vision and needs (1 Cor 12:4-11, 2 Cor 9:6-8);
- Work in harmony with the Church’s By-Laws; and,
- Reaffirm membership, when requested.
All Members shall have equal rights except for those under eighteen years of age who shall be ineligible to vote.
Members are expected to conduct their lives in accordance with the teachings of the Scriptures. Those found living or teaching contrary to the Word of God or the Statement of Faith of OCF shall be counseled in love by an Elder. If efforts to bring repentance and restoration fail, then the Board of Elders will follow Biblical principles outlined in Scripture, including: Matthew 18:15-18, I Corinthians 5, II Corinthians 2:5-11 and Galatians 6:1-2.
Withdrawal from Membership will be accepted by the Board of Elders upon the written request of the Member. Members who have been inactive in church attendance for a period of a year or have joined another church may be removed from Membership by the Board of Elders. Deceased members shall be administratively removed from Membership without the requirement of formal action by the Board of Elders. Any Member who holds false or heretical doctrines contrary to the Word of God or who is living a life in violation of the Scriptures may be subject to removal from membership by the Board of Elders. If judged necessary, the Board of Elders shall communicate the dismissal to the membership.
How to Become a Member
Step 1
Attend or listen to the recordings of the 4-Week Membership Series
- Week 1: OCF Story (8/17/25)
- Week 2: OCF Doctrine (8/24/25)
- Week 3: OCF Mission (8/31/25)
- Week 4: OCF Ministries (9/7/25)
Step 2
Sign up for a Covenant Gathering
Use this Sign Up Link to select a date in September or October for one of these:
- 9:00am (During 1st Service)
- 11:00am (During 2nd Service)
- 1:00pm (After services)
- 5:00pm (Sunday late afternoons)
- Wednesday 6:00pm
Step 3
Participate in a Covenant Gathering (60-90 minutes)
- Meet with 2 Elders to hear more about OCF
- Share your testimony
- Get to know other prospective members; listen to their testimony
- Receive a Membership Covenant Application
Step 4
Submit a completed Covenant & Application
Turn in a completed, signed membership application and covenant by November 16, 2025 to any Elder (Brandon, Dan, Jonny, Larry, Mark, Mike, Ryan) or to the Office Admin team (Lori, Sarah, Theresa).
Membership FAQs
Did you take a Membership Class? Did you sign a Membership Covenant? If you’re not sure, don’t remember, or would like to confirm, email sarah@ocfchurch.com and/or marina@ocfchurch.com.
Yes, with your parent’s consent. However, you need to be at least 18 to vote in congregational-matters.
Your Membership is not active. You don’t need to re-take the Membership class but in order to reactivate your Membership you’ll need to meet with an Elder and sign a new Membership application and covenant.
No.
Yes. You can certainly be a part of the body of Christ, call this place your home, and engage in the life of OCF without being a Member. We would encourage you to pray, discern, and talk to a pastor/elder about why you’re not ready or willing to become a Member. There are legitimate reasons to delay Membership and talking through it with one of the pastor/elders, or a mature mentor, will often help to see things with more clarity.
Yes.
See “Why Become a Member” at this link.
The next Membership Class opportunity will be available in early 2026. Yes, you’ll need to attend the whole class (4 sessions) at that time.
Part of the Membership Covenant is to regularly attend and be a part of the life of the OCF. However, in cases of temporary absences (such as college, extended travel, temporary employment assignments) exceptions can be made. We encourage you to plug in to a local church body wherever life finds you.
While we gladly partner with other churches and encourage fellowship with other Christians, Membership should be at one church. We encourage you to plant roots at one church, for your sake and the sake of the church. The Elders would like to know about your unique situation, if you have one.
It depends on when you took the class, and why you didn’t sign the Covenant at that time. Please contact one of the Elders for further discussion.
Yes.
Nov 2 or 9 will be the next Baptism, held at OCF.
Yes, let us know and we would be happy to talk with you.
Step 1: Attend or listen to the recordings of the 4-Week Membership Series
Step 2: Sign up for a Covenant Gathering using this link.
Step 3: Participate in a Covenant Gathering (You’ll meet with 2 Elders and other prospective Members, listen to the Elders share a bit more about OCF, share your testimony, and listen to the testimonies of the others in the gathering, and receive a Covenant & Application).
Step 4: Submit a completed Covenant & Application by 11/16/25
Sure! We’ve shared two links so far…
Yes, the Covenant Gatherings will be an opportunity to learn more and meet others who are considering making OCF their home. There is no requirement to become a Member simply because you attended the Covenant Gathering. It’s another chance to learn more about OCF.
There is no requirement or expectation for current Members to attend Covenant Gatherings. If you would like to attend, you are most certainly welcome to sign-up!
No. Covenant Gatherings are one-time sessions for people considering becoming Members of our church. Community Groups are ongoing gatherings of people from the church who want to discuss the Sunday’s sermon and be in community with each other on a weekly basis.
