Discover New LifeMembership Class

www.newlifecommunity.church

Welcome!

I’m glad to see you taking steps to discover New Life membership. This class is designed to help you explore what it means to be a part of the New Life family. Hundreds of people have already made the decision to move beyond just attending the church to becoming the church. As Lead Pastor of New Life Community Church I am well aware that we are not a perfect church. But I

am fully convinced

that the hand of God has been upon us and His favor has opened incredible doors of opportunity in the city of Chicago and beyond. A community of faith is an incredibly exciting place to be when it is functioning the way God designed it. Here’s a look at how our family functions. I hope you are excited to become a part of this family we call New Life.

Pastor Mark Jobe, Lead PastorNew Life Community Church

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DISCOVER NEW LIFE MEMBERSHIP CLASS

Introduction The Importance of Church MembershipWhy church membership?Who is the real church?What is a biblical church?

Part One Understanding Our StoryA Look at our PastA Look at our PresentA Look at our FutureA Look at our Location

Part Two Understanding Our StructureHow is our church organized?

Part Three Understanding Our StatementsPurpose Statement: What we seek to do Identity Statement: Who we are Faith Statement: What we believeFrequently Asked Questions

Part Four Understanding Our StrategyOur Discipleship ProcessGrowth Path Steps (GPS)

Part Five Understanding Our StandardThe Requirement of MembershipThe Commitment of Membership

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Why church membership?

It provides a spiritual family to support and encourage us in our walk with Christ. Galatians 6:1-2; Hebrews 10:24-25

It gives us a place to discover and use our spiritual gifts in ministry.1 Corinthians 12:4-27

It places us under the spiritual protection of godly leaders.Hebrews 13:17; Acts 20:28-29

It gives us spiritual accountability we need to grow.Ephesians 5:21

Who is the real church?

We must rediscover the true meaning of the “Church.” The church is not a building - it’s a group of people.The church is not an organization - it’s a divine organism.The church is not our invention - it’s God’s design.The church is not an option - it’s a mandate for every believer.

What is a biblical church?

A community of believers upholding Jesus Christ as Lord, the Bible as God’s Word and organized for the purpose of exaltation, edification, and evangelism.

A multitude of local churches (1 Thessalonians 2:14; Romans 16:4; Acts

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Introduction The Importance of Church Membership

15:41) make up the complete church of Christ (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 5:23).

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A Look at our Past

In the 1940’s a mission was started to minister to children in Back of the Yards neighborhood. Believers from Lorimer Baptist Church in the South Suburbs along with students from Moody Bible Institute led the children’s clubs. The mission was called the Berean Bible Mission and occupied a store front on 45th & Ashland. Eventually the children’s ministry attracted some parents and in time the mission organized itself formally as the Berean Bible Church. In 1970 the church put down payment on a church building on the corner of 44th and Paulina. For years the mission continued to minister to youth and families in the community. The pastors were part-time or volunteer and the congregation struggled to grow beyond 45 people, but God was at work in people’s lives. Despite the efforts of a committed few by 1986 Berean was in a crisis. With little resources and no pastor for over two years the group had dwindled to a handful of

people. A core had not stopped praying for the church to turn around. In January of 1986 the small congregation took a step of faith and called a young man to be their pastor. Mark Jobe had no pastoral experience and was only twenty-one years old at the time. The little church could only afford a yearly salary of $8,000. Together they took a step of faith to see God work in an unlikely spot. Those days of humble beginnings and scarce means would help shape the heart and vision of a congregation that would eventually touch thousands of lives and have an impact throughout Chicago. In the following couple of years the church reorganized with a new vision, new leadership, even a new name – New Life Community Church. Some of the original members left because of changes, but those that remained went on to form the backbone of a fast-growing, energetic church in the heart of Chicago.

A Look at our Present

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Part One Understanding Our Story

We’ve Grown From twenty people we’ve grown to over 5000 people each

weekend meeting in one of various locations through out Chicago.

We’ve Changed Our original group were people from the southwest side of Chicago. We now draw people from all over city and suburbs. The church is much more diverse and multicultural these days.

We’ve Baptized Over 400 people took the first step last year to BEGIN their

journey with God.

We’ve Expanded We’ve expanded our original mid-week Bible study of eight

people to over 300 Small Groups that meet through out the city.

We’ve Multiplied We gather in 22 unique locations in order to help minister more

effectively to the needs of various communities.

We’ve Remained Although we’ve seen a lot of changes, we have kept the same

message and mission from the early days of ministry.

A Look at our Future

Our Vision God has called us to nurture and build a church that models community,

spearheads prayer, leads the way in multi-racial and cross-cultural

ministry, is energetic and intentional about making disciples, is a Kingdom

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bridge-builder, trains and mobilizes people into ministry, has a heart for

the poor and needy, and spreads throughout Chicagoland by planting

life giving communities of faith and spiritually vibrant small groups.

Our Mission To reach and teach 30,000 people throughout Chicagoland by planting

life-giving communities of faith that serve as transformation centers to

the neighborhoods where they are located.

Our Dream We believe that one day we will be a church of 30,000 people. A church

so strong that it influences the spiritual and social landscape of this city.

We will gather to worship weekly in places across Chicagoland at many

locations. These locations will come together periodically for city-wide

celebrations. Thousands of small groups will help keep people connected

to each other, to God and those in need of God. We expect prayer

and fasting to fuel every aspect of ministry. We will seek to build bridges,

bless and partner with other life giving churches to impact Chicago and

other parts of the world. We will seek to do this to the glory of God, by

the grace of Jesus Christ and in the power of the Spirit.

A Look at our Location

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How is our church organized?

Multiple Locations New Life is one church that meets in many locations. We are not a

network of churches or an association. We are a resilient, multisite

urban church. Each location has a Location Pastor that oversees

that congregation and forms part of the central pastoral team.

Each location also has a leadership team that assists the Location

Pastor in giving oversight to the people of that location.

Pastoral Team Each pastor is commissioned to ministry based on gifting, proven

character, and fruitfulness in ministry. The pastoral team gives

oversight to the church as a whole. Currently, a team of pastors meets weekly together for prayer and oversee the direction, spiritual health and operation of the church.

Leadership Teams Each location forms a leadership team that works with the location pastor in overseeing the ministry at that particular location.

Staff Team The pastoral team is assisted by staff members who help in

different areas of ministry. The staff team is there to help the

pastoral team equip and empower members of the congregation

to engage in ministry.10

Part Two Understanding Our Structure

Small Groups We are a church of small groups and encourage every member

of New Life to participate and meet regularly with a small group.

Small group leaders and assistants provide immediate pastoral

care and support.

Ministry Teams Our goal is to help every person discover their gifting and find a

place in the church to engage.

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Purpose Statement: What we seek to do

Our purpose is to be a family of love who cooperates with God in making fully devoted fruitful followers of Christ.

Identity Statement: Who we are

We are new life. One church. One family. One people.

We are new life. Many backgrounds,

many stories, many places, yetOne message. One cross. One God.

We are men and women. We are young and old.

We are married and single. We are Hispanic and White,

Black and Asian, college students and senior citizens.

We are from both sides of the tracks…

yet we are one.

We are new life. A fervent generation of Jesus

followers. A new breed of urban missionaries. We band together to form life-giving

communities of faith.

We worship without reservation. We pray as a way of life.

We work for the cause of the oppressed.

We choose to live our faith and not just talk about it.

We are new life. This is our city. This is our time.

This is our mission. We rise to the challenge

of changing the heart and soul of this great city one person at a

time.

We are new life. We are a people of God.

We are a community of Faith. We are a spiritual force.

We are a movement for change…

We are New Life.

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Part Three Understanding Our Statements

Faith Statement: What we believe

Our Faith Statement is intended to lay a foundation for belief and unity. There will always be secondary doctrines that Christians disagree upon, but there are core beliefs that are non-negotiable for those who embrace historic Christianity. The church receives the scriptures as the inspired Word of God and the New Testament as its sole authority in matters of faith and practice. “In the essentials we need unity, in the non-essentials we need freedom; but in all things we need love.” -Rupertus Meldenius

God God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed

in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three

are co-equal and are one God. Genesis 1:1,26,27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter

1:2; 1 Corinthians 13:14

People We are all made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character.

We are the supreme objects of God’s creation. Although mankind has

tremendous potential for good, we are marred by disobedience toward

God called “sin”. This state separates us from God.Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah

59:1-2

Eternity We all were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally

separated from God by sin, or in union with God through forgiveness and

salvation. The place of eternal separation from God is called Hell.

Heaven is the place of eternal union and eternal life with God. 13

John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15 (hell); Matthew 25:41; Revelation 21:27 (heaven)

Jesus Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus

lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice

for the sins of all by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three

days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to

Heaven’s glory and will return again to earth to reign as King of Kings,

and Lord of Lords. Matthew 1:22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5; John 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-

11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13

Salvation Salvation is a gift from God to mankind. We can never make up for our

sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ

as God’s offer of forgiveness can we be saved from sin’s penalty. Eternal

life begins the moment we receive Jesus Christ into our life by repentance

and faith. Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6; John 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1

Eternal Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is Security secure in their salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace

and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the 14

grace and keeping power of God that gives this security.John 16:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10,14; 1 Peter

1:3-5

The Spirit The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and Son as God. He is present in

the world to make mankind aware of our need for Jesus Christ. He also

lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the

Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, guidance

in doing what is right, and spiritual gifts. 2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13; John 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 1:13;

Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18

The Bible The Bible alone is God’s word to all mankind. Its sixty-six books were

written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy

Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living.

Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error.

2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160;

Psalm 12:6;Proverbs 30:5 The Church All who are truly saved are a part of God’s worldwide church, and those

who are truly saved are to be joined to a local church - a family of

believers. The Bible calls believers to gather together to devote themselves to one another, to the teachings of Scripture, to

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worship, to prayer, to generous giving to the needs of others, and to

celebrating baptism and communion. The church congregation is to

respectfully submit, support and follow its God-ordained leaders. Its leaders

are to guard, feed and lead the flock, especially in the work of

evangelism and discipleship. All this is for the ultimate purpose of glorifying

Christ.Acts 2:42-47; Romans 12:9-13; Ephesians 4:11-16; Hebrews

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The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:

Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended to the dead.

The third day He arose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy universal church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.

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Part Four Understanding Our Strategy

Our Disciplesship ProcessNavigating life can be difficult. Finding your way at New Life is simple.

BEGIN WITH BAPTISMJesus commands everyone to do three things: repent, believe, and be baptized. You must be born again and baptized to become a member at New Life.

CONNECT THRU GROUPSSmall groups are the best way to connect with others during the week for prayer, worship, and studying the Bible. Groups meet at various times and locations throughout the week.

GROW IN YOUR FAITHPractice the habits of a healthy disciple that will empower you to grow in your faith. We also offer several conferences, retreats, and resources throughout the year to help your grow.

ENGAGE BY SERVINGThere are literally hundreds of friendly, caring volunteers who serve every week at New Life. You could be one of them! Find a team to serve with on Sundays or during the week and be a part of what makes New Life

DISCIPLES & MENTOR OTHERSJesus calls each of us to go and make disciples. Share your faith with others, mentor them to baptism, and guide them through the GPS.

Learn more and view resources on our website at newlifecommunity.church.

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Having been baptized as a born again believer in Christ as my Lord and Savior and being in agreement with New Life’s standards, statements, strategy and structure, I now feel led by the Holy Spirit to unite with the New Life Community Church family. In doing so, I commit myself to God and to the other members to do the following…

1. I will connect & protect the unity of my church.…by acting in love toward other members (Romas 14:19; 1 Peter 1:22).…by refusing to gossip (Ephesians 4:29).

…by following the leaders (Hebrews 13:17). …by joining to a small group (Acts 2:44-46; 5:42).

2. I will take steps to grow both myself and my church. …by attending faithfully (Hebrews 10:25).…by walking in obedience to God’s Word (James 1:22).…by giving generously (10%) (1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7).…by taking advantage of opportunities to grow (Ephesians 5:16).

3. I will engage by serving in the ministry of my church.…by discovering my gifts and talents (1 Peter 4:10).…by being equipped to serve (Ephesians 4:11-12).…by finding a place to serve (Ephesians 4:16).

4. I will disciple others as a part of the mission of my church.…by praying for its growth (1 Thessalonians 1:1-2).…by inviting the unchurched to attend (Luke 14:23).…by leading others to Christ and baptizing them (Matthew 28:19-20).

Print Name Here: _________________________________________________________

Signature: ______________________________________________ Date: ___________

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Part Five Membership Covenant