Membership

There is no explicit scripture text that says “become a church member!”. However, church membership is biblical! In fact, when the Bible speaks about the church, it speaks of it as a body, composed of individual members united to each other under the head, Jesus! To be a follower of Jesus means being brought out of the world into Jesus visible body, the church (1 Corinthians 12.12, 13)! In the Old Testament, the people of God were distinguished as citizens and members of God’s kingdom. They were called out of the world and into God’s visible kingdom on earth (Deuteronomy 7.3, 6)!As members of Jesus’ church body, the Bible calls us to attend, submit, love, and serve our local church. Hebrews says that members of the church should “not neglect to meet together as is the habit of some” and “obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls” showing membership as a commitment to worship God with others and submit to faithful church leadership (Hebrews 10.25; 13.17). Members are also bound to one another and called to serve one another in love for the common good of the church (1 Corinthians 12.7).

We believe that the standards for church membership should be no higher or lower than the standards for being a Christian. For that reason, you do not have to believe everything we believe as a church in order to be a member. A Christian is someone who has repented of their sin and believes in Jesus as Savior and Lord (Romans 10.9). The best summary of what it means to believe in Jesus and follow him is found in the Apostles’ Creed and Ten Commandments. You can find those below.

The process for becoming a member at Deer Creek is a simple 4-step process. First, join one of our membership classes. These are two week classes that meet during the Fall and Spring Small Group semesters. Second, talk with an Elder. During this time you will have a conversation about your faith background, how you came to faith in Jesus, and how the gospel has shaped your life. Third, make membership commitment. We ask members to affirm the Apostle’s Creed as a statement of their beliefs and affirm the Ten Commandments as a guide for life as a follower of Jesus. You can find those below! Lastly, be celebrated. We ask new members to recite the Apostle’s Creed Deer Creek Church during worship. This gives us the chance to affirm God’s work in your life and welcome you to Deer Creek.

Absolutely! We believe that baptism is a sign and seal of membership in the church, the body of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 12.13). For that reason, we believe baptism makes a person a member of the Church! Since many people come to faith for the first time at Deer Creek, we celebrate God’s work of grace in their life by baptizing them on Sunday mornings during our worship service. We also believe children are members of God’s family, and therefore, baptize children of believing parents (Colossians 2.12; Acts 2.38, 39).

We believe that baptism is a sign and seal of a persons entrance into Church membership (1 Corinthians 12.13). So if your child has been baptized, they are considered “non-communing” members of Deer Creek Church. If your child has made a public profession of faith, they are considered “communing” members of Deer Creek. To become a “communing” member and make a public profession of faith, kids can participate in the 4th & 5th grade class on Sundays during second service. This class is designed to teach kids the basic truths of Christianity. If your child is younger, and you’d like them to make a public profession of faith, you can lead them through the Deer Creek Catechism. This resource is a 10-day devotional intended to prepare your child for their first communion.