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MEMBERSHIP CHARGE

An Article Written by Dr. Neil Chadwick

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IN A MOMENT WE WILL JOIN TOGETHER IN PRAYER FOR THESE WHO ARE PUBLICLY BEING RECEIVED INTO THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE ASSEMBLY, HOWEVER, BEFORE DOING THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE A CHARGE TO THOSE WHO ARE BEING RECEIVED INTO MEMBERSHIP TODAY. AS I DO SO, I TRUST THAT OTHER MEMBERS PRESENT WILL PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT IS SAID, THAT WE ALL WILL RENEW OUR COMMITMENTS TO THE LORD AND HIS CHURCH.

AS MEMBERS IN THE BODY OF CHRIST, I CHARGE YOU TO GIVE CAREFUL ATTENTION TO YOUR OWN SPIRITUAL LIFE, AND YOUR DEVOTION TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. THIS MEANS THAT YOU WILL SEEK TO GIVE ADEQUATE TIME TO THE NURTURE OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD THROUGH READING GOD'S WORD, SPENDING TIME IN PRAYER, CONTINUE TO SEEK FOR THE FULLNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND PERHAPS FASTING AS HE CALLS YOU TO DO SO. THIS ALSO INVOLVES LISTENING TO THE WISE COUNSEL OF

YOUR ELDERS, AND THOSE WHO SEEK TO MINISTER TO YOU IN YOUR OWN PERSONAL LIFE.

I FURTHER CHARGE YOU TO GIVE ATTENTION TO YOUR WITNESS IN THE WORLD, AND I PRAY THAT YOU WILL SEE THAT THE LORD IS USING YOU WHERE YOU LIVE AND WORK; AMONG YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. MAY YOUR LIFE SHINE BRIGHTLY AS A TESTIMONY TO JESUS CHRIST WHO IS LORD, AND MAY THOSE WHO OBSERVE YOUR CONDUCT KNOW THAT YOU HAVE COMMITTED YOUR LIFE TO HIM.

I CHARGE YOU TO LIVE YOUR LIFE IN SUCH A MANNER THAT YOU WILL NEITHER GIVE CAUSE FOR STUMBLING TO A YOUNGER BROTHER OR SISTER, NOR WILL YOU GIVE CAUSE TO ONE WHO IS NOT YET A CHRISTIAN TO BE TURNED AWAY FROM PURSUING THE GOSPEL CALL THEY ARE EVEN NOW RECEIVING.

AND THEN I CHARGE YOU TO BE FAITHFUL IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO THE BODY OF CHRIST. THIS WILL CERTAINLY INVOLVE PRAYING FOR OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH HE HAS PLACED YOU IN AND AMONG. IT WILL ALSO REQUIRE YOU TO BE FAITHFUL IN ATTENDANCE DURING THE GATHERING TIMES OF GOD'S PEOPLE, AND MAKING YOURSELF AVAILABLE TO MINISTER ACCORDING TO THE GIFTS GOD HAS GIVEN TO YOU. FAITHFULNESS TO THE CHURCH ALSO MEANS THAT YOU WILL BE REGULAR IN YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF THE CHURCH, RETURNING TO THE LORD HIS TITHE AND YOUR OFFERINGS EACH LORDD'S DAY.

IN RETURN, IT IS OUR INTENTION AS ELDERS IN THE CHURCH, AND AS FELLOW MEMBERS OF CHRIST'S BODY TO MINISTER TO YOU WITH OUR GOD GIVEN ABILITIES, TO STRENGTHEN YOU, TO GIVE YOU A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT WHEN WE SEE THAT IS NEEDED, AND TO BE AVAILABLE TO PRAY WITH YOU AND UNDERGIRD YOU IN THE STRUGGLES YOU MAY ENCOUNTER. WE COMMIT OURSELVES TO BE FOR YOU A FAMILY OF BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST, READY TO MINNISTER TO YOU AND WITH YOU IN THE MUTUAL MINISTRY GOD HAS ENTRUSTED TO US.

MAY THE LORD GIVE US EACH THE GRACE TO FULFILL THE CALLING HE HAS PLACED UPON US. LET US NOW PRAY.

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