Membership, it means lots of different things to different people. You might even be a member of something and not even know it. Sometimes membership can be very meaningful and sometimes membership just means placing your name on a list or clicking an icon on Facebook.
At The Orchard we strive to make membership meaningful. We recognize membership as a spiritual commitment to carry out the mission of The Orchard with others. Membership is not about special rights, privileges, or status. Members don’t have special seating areas, parking spaces, or discounts.
Members don’t join The Orchard as much as they actually become The Orchard. With each new member the Orchard changes just a little. As we worship, serve, and grow together we become a loosely connected family that is seeking to honor God together. Membership is not just about attending The Orchard on Sundays, it is about joining with others to become a local missionary who serves and represents Jesus every day of the week. We hope you will consider becoming a member at The Orchard.
Here are some frequently asked questions about Membership at The Orchard.
How Do I Become a Member?
Attend the Orchard 101 Membership Course and sign the membership covenant. Orchard 101 takes place in a Grow Group Thursday evenings from 7-8:15PM. Childcare is provided if pre-registered. Orchard 101 is a fun, interactive, discussion oriented small group environment that covers six different session of learning. Each session is designed to help get you started on the right foot in your journey of faith at The Orchard. The six sessions are:
Meaningful Membership
Mission, Vision, and Strategy
Following Jesus
What’s Special About Being Methodist
Group Life and Baptism
Two Big Scary Words
Find out about the next Orchard 101group by emailing Ben Cathey or by clicking here.
What is the Membership Covenant?
The Membership Covenant is a promise you make with God and the other members at The Orchard. Here is the way it reads:
Having repented of my sins, having been baptized into the Christian faith,
and having placed my whole trust in God’s grace by following Jesus daily,
I begin my membership at The Orchard by committing my life in the following ways:
I will seek to live out an authentic expression of Christian faith that is recognized by others as I. . .
Reach Up to experience God’s presence,
Branch Out to illustrate God’s love, and
Grow Deep to understand God’s character.
I will support the mission of The Orchard with my prayers, tithes, and loyalty.
I will work with others at The Orchard so that we can “Grow New and Stronger Followers of Jesus” together.
Will I Have To Be Baptized To Join?
If you have never been baptized you do need to be baptized as you join The Orchard. Baptism is something God asks us to do upon receiving Jesus as Lord of our life and it is a sacred initiation rite into the family of God.Click here for a document called Baptism at The Orchard.
If you have been baptized in a Christian church you do not need to be baptized again to join The Orchard. In fact, we don’t believe in re-baptism because even though we might change our mind about God he does not change his mind about us. We do, however, ask all new members to reaffirm their baptismal vows publicly on a Membership and Baptism Sunday held four times a year.
What If I Have Been a Member At Another Church?
We ask everyone joining The Orchard to attend Orchard 101, even those people who will be transferring a membership letter from another church.
What If I Have Never Been a Member of a Church Before?
Come on! You have found the right place.
Can I Lose My Member Status After I Join?
Yes. Find out more at Orchard 101, but the simple explanation is that membership equals participation and after a certain period of time a lack of participation equals a lose of membership status.
Why Should I Join?
Membership is biblical. While the term ‘church member’ is never used, the concept is implicit throughout the New Testament. Followers of Jesus clearly identified themselves with a specific local body and were challenged to become fully connected participants.
Membership helps The Orchard accomplish her mission to Grow New and Stronger Followers of Jesus. We are committed to reaching unchurched, dechurched, and non-believing people by our very ministry structure and mission. We hope that this will always be true. But at some point it is important to identify those who truly comprise the congregation - the core that can be counted on to build and sustain the ministries of the church, and those who can be identified and trained as future leaders.”
Membership grows your faith.
In a culture where commitment is no longer highly valued, recognizable membership is an important step that moves each of us from vague notions of belonging and clouded images of good intentions to the clear light of committed participation. Membership presents a challenge to “step out of the stands” and publicly affirm your commitment to Jesus and to The Orchard. In this sense, membership can be a significant “defining moment” in one’s lifelong journey of following Jesus.
How Many Members Does The Orchard Have and Who Are They?
The Orchard currently has 304 members and an average Sunday worship attendance of about 451 people.
Click here for a list of our members.