Membership and Participation Policy

“How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1) 

“….since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith...let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful….let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:21-25) 

Purpose

This policy formalizes “church membership” and clarifies the distinctive boundaries of participation at Renewal Church Ottawa (RCO).

The policy aims to guide the community towards:

• Commitment to life together in the hopeful, joyful, restful, and restorative presence of the risen Jesus Christ

• Stirring and encouraging one another “towards love and good works” in the knowledge and image of the risen Jesus Christ.

• The policy applies to all participants in the ministries and activities held by Renewal Church Ottawa and is read in conjunction with the guidance found in relevant policies in human resources (regarding the hiring of pastors), leadership (how to select leaders from the community), and the bylaws which outline the specific requirements of corporate membership and corporate stewardship.

Guiding Principles

The RCO community is part of the eternal, global and entire People of the Triune God 

• God seeks a unified people for himself (Titus 2:14) in proper relation to Him, to one another and to creation. All persons are image-bearers of God (Genesis 1:27), have intrinsic value and are in the eyes of God, significant.

• Membership in the Church of Jesus Christ is the broader universal, spiritual reality of union with the Triune God. This broader, spiritual membership within the Church (i.e . believers) is the profession and faith in the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the Triune God. The act of baptism signals this reality of joining into the people of God (Romans 12:4-8, 1 Corinthians 12:12–27).  In Christ, “there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female” (Galatians 3:32).

• Formation of each individual, unique person into their distinctive likeness of Jesus Christ (i.e. maturity in Christ) only occurs in community (Ephesians 4:12-13, Colossians 1:28).

• A person’s faith is inseparable from other people. It starts from hearing and is nurtured through persons in community (Romans 10:14, Ephesians 4:20-21, 2 Timothy 3:14-15). All persons learn of Christ through the Body of Jesus Christ.

The RCO community is centered around Jesus Christ in worship and mission 

• RCO consists of a local and particular community of believers. Membership of which is a continued and committed life lived in love and service together (Acts 2:42-47, Hebrews 10:25, John 13:34-35) centered primarily on the reality that God is present (Matthew 18:20, Matthew 28: 20).

• The Life of the Church is two-fold: (1) brought together into God’s renewing presence and shaped in character that mirrors Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:23-24) and (2) sent out (Matthew 28:19) in participation with God's renewing work in the world.

  • The Church is shaped together through service and ministry: worship and prayer (Ephesians 12), the practice of the sacraments (1 Corinthians 11:23-25), the teaching, preaching and admonishing of one another in the Word of God (Colossians 3:16) and in the practice of hospitality (1 Peter 4:9, Romans 12:13) for all (Hebrews 13:1–2).

  • The renewing Presence of God shapes the Church for the renewing work of God  (Revelation 21:5) - the proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ; in the redemption, care, and discipling of people; in the care of, work in, and stewardship of creation; in seeking the welfare of the local community and of the city. 

• The people of RCO and their life together, holds a visible presence among others in the city: to do good (1 Peter 2:11), to seek to live in peace (Romans 12:18) and seek to  demonstrate a respect for the government and all peoples (1 Peter 2:17, Galatians 6:10).

Love and service are the primary marks of the life of the RCO Community

• Service and ministry is exercised among all its members (1 Corinthians 12:25), each with a unique gifting (Romans 12:3-8).

• Service for others is undergirded by love for others (1 Corinthians 13:4-7), fueled by worship (Romans 12:1), nourished by God’s rest (1 Peter 4:10–11, Nehemiah 8:10, 1 Timothy 4:6). 

The RCO Community has a Stewardship Collective that serves to safeguard the life of the church

Community and Membership: Spirituality of Commitment 

Church membership is a formal expression and commitment to the life of the local church. Becoming a member of Renewal Church is an ongoing spiritual discipline and practice of “rootedness” and “faithfulness” to Christ and others. The act of membership echoes Christ’s life lived in a particular place and for a particular people. 

Participation in the church community is broadly covered under three profiles: community participant, church participant and church member. 

Community Participant

Persons that are involved in the activities of the church community without regularity or do not identify with the Christian nature of the community. Community Participants are welcomed wherever the community meets (e.g. public activities of the community including Sunday Worship, Formation Groups) and are welcomed as part of Christian hospitality. Community Participants are not expected to serve, exercise spiritual giftings, or commit to meeting. 

These include:

• Persons seeking to find a church community (i.e. do not call Renewal Church Ottawa “home”)

• Those that attend regularly and have not yet made a faith profession in Jesus Christ

• Visitors and guests to worship services or other events

• Former Renewal Church Participants or Members that have since left the church 

Church Participant

Persons who are professing believers in Jesus Christ and have the desire to participate with the worshipping community in its public forms of worship and prayer, in fellowship with other members of the community (i.e. call Renewal Church Ottawa “home”) and have begun to explore ways to participate (i.e. exercising the spiritual giftings) within the ministry of the local church. It is the desire that Church Participants would participate fully as Church Members and commit to the life of the community. Church Participants may serve based on their spiritual giftings, their season of life, and observed character.

These include: 

• Christians that have recently joined the Renewal Church community, demonstrate willingness to serve others in the community and desire to participate in the ministries of the community 

• Christians that have not yet been baptised and demonstrate willingness to serve others in the community and desire to participate in the ministries of the community 

Church Members

These participants form the public, visible community and the witness of the Church. Church Members are professing believers that have a desire and commit to participating fully in the community in worship and in fellowship. Church Members may be involved in processes, committees and join the leadership of the church (see Appendix C for relationship between leadership and corporate membership)

These include:

• Christians that have come to the faith and have been baptised

• Christians that have joined the life of the church and are committed to the community

• Ministry or pastoral staff. By the nature of their specific calling, they are joining the community and for the service of the community.

Church Participation Procedures

Serving in a Ministry

• Serving in a ministry is to assume a role with a degree of responsibility and accountability in a ministry (i.e. a time, date and a work). Examples include: greeter in the Welcoming and Connecting ministry, musician in the Worship and Musical arts ministry, scripture reading in the Sunday service, teacher in Sunday School. 

• Requirements for serving:

  • Person professes a personal and active faith in Jesus Christ, and/or

  • Person meets the specific requirements for the ministry team (e.g. Children and Youth ministry) based on the discernment of the ministry lead (i.e. Deacon, Elder, Pastor)

• Serving in committees and leadership roles within ministries are limited to Church Members. In certain cases, leadership roles would also include corporate membership 

Church Membership Procedures

• Procedures for formal recognition of membership aim to safe-guard the God-given mission and predominant character of the church as a worshiping-missional community. 

• Membership is open throughout the year. Individuals may express their interest in becoming a Church Member, or the invitation may be suggested by various persons in the community with the individual. 

• Examples include: 

  • Deacons serving with individuals within the ministry 

  • Formation Group Members and Leaders may encourage the community to express a commitment to become Church Members as part of their Christian formation and spiritual growth. 

  • Baptism candidates, rooted in the life of the church are encouraged to express their baptismal identity in the universal church with a commitment the local church

Applying for membership (affirming a commitment to the community): 

Applicants provide:

• A retelling of their personal story of faith in Jesus Christ and confirmation of their baptism

• An affirmation and commitment to the calling of the community 

• An affirmation and commitment to the mission and values of the Renewal Church Ottawa community 

Elders review and affirm membership of the applicant 

Candidate ministry and pastoral staff are affirmed as members as part of their hiring process

Removal of membership 

Members are removed: 

(1) Through the process of Church Discipline by Eldership (including inactivity); and/or,

(2) Through the request of the member

Membership Roll

List of Church Members is maintained by the RCO Deaconship.