Membership & Partnership

MEMBERSHIP: (GENERAL PROVISIONS)

We recognize all members of the body of Christ of like precious Faith.  The membership of this Church shall consist of persons who profess faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, accepting the Holy Bible as authority and who agrees to the provisions of the Church.  The Church shall be inter-racial, as found in the tenets of faith.

Membership in a Christian family, carries with it a unique, demanding, and previledged responsibility.  The “REDEMPTION LIFE INTERNATIONAL CHURCH” seek to relate Biblical Christianity to all aspects of life.  The purposes (aims & objectives) of the church as stated in this page therefore assume that a member is both committed to Christ and desirous of a meaningful involvement in all Church programmes in a Christian context.  The member, by virtue of his enlistment, therefore agrees to accept the responsibilities of membership in the Christian Community.

The Church believes that the scriptures establish the basic principles which should guide the development of Christian character and govern all Christian behaviour.  These include:

(a) The Lordship of Christ over all aspects of life and thought: this involves whole hearted obedience to the moral law of God as taught in the old and new testament and exemplified in the life of Christ, the careful stewardship of mind, time, abilities, funds and opportunities for intellectual and spiritual growth, and the care of our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit.

(b) The responsibility to love God with all our being and to love our neighbour as ourselves: This means that unselfish love should be the motive in all life’s decision, actions, and relationships.

(c) The responsibility to seek after righteousness, to practice justice in our dealings with one another and in our social institutions, and to help those in need.

(d) The need to exercise our freedom responsibly within the framework of God’s moral law, in relationship to the various communities of which we are a part and with loving regard for the sensitivities and weaknesses of others.

(e) Access through Jesus Christ to the forgiveness of God and to the help of the Holy Spirit in doing heartily what God requires of us.

(f) Practices which are known to be morally wrong by Biblical teachings are not acceptable for members of REDEMPTION LIFE INTERNATIONAL CHURCH.  Included are specific acts such as drunkenness, stealing, the use of slanderous or profane language, all forms of dishonesty including cheating, occult practices, and sexual sins such as fornication, adultery and other sexual immoral behaviour that’s against our Christian faith and conduct.  In addition, scripture condemns such attitudes as greed, jealousy, pride, lust, bitterness, needless anger, and unforgiving spirit, and harmful discrimination and prejudice such as that based on race, sex or socio-economic status.  While these attitudes are difficult to detect, they are subject to the judgement of God as are outward forms of disobedience to him.  The Church is obliged to repudiate these attitudes and seeks God’s forgiveness and help so that each individual may grow in grace and righteousness.

(g) The church also recognises that while the scripture do not provide specific teaching regarding all social practices, they do advocate self-restraint in that which is harmful or is offensive to others.  The church has chosen therefore to adopt certain prudent principles or rules which will contribute to the environment appropriate to its aims and objective goals. Thus, the church requires members of the family to abstain from gambling, and from possession or use of alcoholic beverages, tobacco, non-medicinal narcotic, such as cocaine or hallucinogenic drugs including marijuana and from UNNECESSARILY social engagement that is detrimental to their life and safety.

(h) In addition, members of the church whether or not they are under the jurisdiction of the church, are expected to practice discretion and restraint in the following:

(i) The choice of television programmes, music, movies, theatre, printed matters and card games.

(ii) The use of approved folk and interpretative dance and other art forms in dramatic productions and other public programmes.

(iii) The choice of organisations with which they associate.

(iv) The use of the Lord’s day, to give primary attention to worship, rest, and Christian fellowship and service to humanity.

(i) It is assumed that the individual who voluntarily joins the Christian family in REDEMPTION LIFE INTERNATIONAL CHURCH will, with God’s help:

(a) Deepen his spiritual commitment and understanding by means of the Christian activities and educational opportunities available both in the Church and Para-Church institutions.

(b) Develop his moral character by practicing Biblical principles and moral teachings.

(c) Develop his intellectual and creative powers through Biblical studies, studying the broad range of human opinion and ideas without engaging in the whole range of human behaviour.

(d) Participate constructively in the life of the Church and Civic communities, observing their rules and doing whatever he can to help them achieve their goals.

MINISTERIAL CHURCH MEMBERSHIP/PARTNERSHIP (FURTHER PROVISIONS):

While we recognise all members of the body of Christ of like precious faith, the membership and partnership to the Ministerial Church shall be thus:

(a) Any person who believes in Jesus Christ and accept Him as Lord and personal Saviour with evidence of regeneration may be received into probationary membership.

(b) Members and Partners On Probation: All new members and partners shall first be received as probationers or members/partners on Trial.  For there is no sudden laying-hold of a new member whose faith is not yet proven in the vision and mission layout of both Church and the Ministry.

(c) Each probationer or new member must pass through at least the Church Growth Schools: “New Creation Believers School”, and after thorough examination on conduct, Christian experience, and knowledge of the Bible may upon baptism were necessary be received into full membership.

(d) Full Members/Partners are those who have genuinely been born again, passed through the Church Growth Schools, baptized in the water by immersion and Holy Ghost accompany with speaking in other tongues and officially received before the congregation according to the rites and ceremonies of the church.

(e) All members on probation and full membership must attend Bible class, prayer meeting, worship services and other programmes of the Church regularly.

(f) Each member must own a complete Bible, a Bible study outline and any other booklet or brochure that necessitates to a member well being in Christ Jesus.

(g) All members shall pay one-tenth of their income as tithe into the church treasure (God’s storehouse) for God’s kingdom advancement.

(h) The Pastors care and necessary ministerial staff workers allowance is the first and most important use of the Church tithes and offerings, and is to be given first consideration over any other need for a labourer is worthy of his wages.

(i) Where it is seemed expedient, an intending member shall appear before the stationed Pastor and local council for necessary advice and counsel and introduction, before such person is accredited for membership.

(j) It shall be the sole responsibility of the stationed Pastor to receive persons on probation, and into full membership; to receive and dismiss unfaithful members to the Tenets of faith and Christian testimony which we bare as a Church.

DUTIES OF MEMBERS

(a) To live a consecrated life and not contaminate oneself with the world – (2 Peter 1:4-8, 1 Cor. 6:9-11, Acts 8:4) e.t.c.

(b) To learn the how and to win souls for Christ.  (Acts 8:4, Matt. 28:19-20, Mark 16:15-20).

(c) To honour, respect and support God’s servant (The stationed Minister’s and other leaderships in place).  (1 Thess. 5:12, 13; Heb. 13:17, 1 Cor. 9:13, 14, I Tim. 5:17-19) etc.

(d) To contribute to the Growth of the work with Tithes and Offerings and Seed faith and free-will offerings etc. (Mal. 3:8-10, 1 Cor. 16:2, Luke 6:38, Matt. 23:23) etc.

(e) To attend regularly the services of the Church – (Heb. 10:25), to dedicate Sunday to the service of the Lord –(Acts 20:7, I Cor. 16:1-2).

(f) To establish a family altar in the home, as condition permit and also to cultivate the heart of private prayer life and public worship in His presence along with other brethren.

(g) To bury the body of departed members and care for the living.

(h) To belong to one of the departmental units and necessary fellowship wings in the Church.

MEMBER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO OTHER MEMBERS

(a) To love and bear one another’s burden – (1 Jn. 4:7-21, I Jn. 3:13-24, James 2:14-20, Jn. 13:34-35, Gal. 6:2, 6, 9-10).

(b) To visit the sick, help the needy, comfort those in trouble and strive to maintain harmonious relationship with all – (1 Thess. 5:14, Heb. 12:14, Jas. 1:27, Matt. 25:35-40).

(c) To pray for a brother/sister overtaken in a fault (1 Jn. 5:16) and to withdraw from those who cause division (Rom. 16:17-19, 2 Thess. 3:6-15, 2 Tim. 4:14-18).

(d) To follow up and visit new members/converts until they are fully established in the faith and doctrines of our Lord Jesus Christ and His Church. (Acts 6:7, 16:5, Heb. 6:1-2, 2Jn. 9-11).

MEMBER’S RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS THE UNCONVERTED (NON-MEMBERS)

(a) To live a clean life and give a good testimony of our faith in Christ Jesus – (1 Pet. 2:9, 15, Matt. 5:14-16).

(b) Abstain from all appearance of evil – (1 Thess. 5:22, 1 Cor. 6:13-20, 2 Cor. 6:11-18, Gal. 5:16-21, Col. 3:5-17, Rom 1:18-32)

(c) To strive to give the Gospel to the unsaved and pray for their salvation (2 Cor. 5:17-20, 1 Tim. 2:1-7, Jude 18-23).

(d) To love his enemies, pray for them, but hate their evil deeds (Matt. 5:43-48, Prov. 25:21-22, Rom.12:17-21).

(e) Not to conform to this world standard or ways – (Rom. 12:1-12, 1 Jn. 2:15-18, Jas. 4:4, Prov. 14:2).

(f) Come out from among them and be ye separate (not isolate) – (2 Cor. 6:14-18, Jas. 4:4, Prov). 14:2.

THE PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERS

(a) To receive the Ministry of the WORD from the PASTOR. – (Acts 20:27-28, Jere.3:15, Eph. 4:11-16) etc.

(b) To receive visits from the Pastor, Church visitation and follow-up team members also and other delegate members or members of the hospitality  and welfare ministry.

(c) To receive the Lord’s Supper.

(d) To take part in the activities of the Church.

(e) A member may be named to fill one of the official posts in Church.

(f) A member may receive license as a lay-preacher to help in the work in the outstations.

(g) Each member shall receive all necessary spiritual care as typified in the scriptures.

(h) All born again members shall be baptised with the water immersion.

(i) . . . And many such like Biblical previledges for God’s family members as in the New Covenant (Testament).

MEMBERS IN LEADERSHIP:

It is God’s desire and the Church Council desire that individuals use their God given gift to serve the people of God in any capacity befitting them for responsibility.  However, to be involved in the Ministerial Church leadership opportunities as in any of the fellowship groups most especially, the following conditions applies. Such should be:

(1) Born Again

(2) Baptised and filled with the Holy Spirit

(3) Baptised by Water Immersion Baptism and have undergone the “NEW CREATION BELIEVERS COURSE”

(4) A faithful tithe payer.

(5) Honest, trustworthy, dependable, and of good Christian characters

(6) Not involve in terroirism acts, phipdophile and any such like

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