Heritage’s missional vision is clear: Blessing people in our community, across the country, and around the globe, bringing them into a personal relationship with Jesus and building them up to be dedicated followers, all to the glory of God. exists to transform spiritual seekers into dedicated disciples of Jesus Christ.
Amassing crowds, building buildings, even reaching the lost – none of these serve their purpose unless people become mature believers and follow God in everyday life.
We desire to be a Biblical community. That means we must grow in our knowledge of – and most importantly – our obedience to the Bible. To be a community, we can’t just be organized; we must become an interdependent organism. We must function as a body, rather than as saved-but-isolated saints. That means we’ll have to let down our guard, be more vulnerable with one another and support each other – in short, be Christ to each other. We also want to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). We take the call to disciple every nation seriously because it was Jesus’ last and most expansive command to His church. We must continually keep an eye on the world, to reach every individual with His gospel message.
How do we know if we’re doing this effectively? We define what people on the road to full devotion look like, and then affirm all among us who are on that road. We call these people “participating members.” They are no longer spectators. They’re even more than sideline cheerleaders. They’re down on the playing field discovering their role on the team. They are significant players in the game. Only it’s not a game – it’s our very reason for being on earth.
Becoming a member is the culmination of a series of important steps. But it’s not an end in itself, any more than finally being hired means your work is finished. To become a participating member of Heritage is to affirm both where you are spiritually, and where you are going. It’s a step of discipleship, a milestone on the lifelong path laid out by Jesus, and on which all true believers walk with dedication and resolve.
How does a person become a participating member? First, before beginning the formal membership process, we suggest you attend our “Discovering Heritage” luncheon. This will allow you to learn about Heritage’s history, practices and style of ministry. As for the actual participating membership process, it’s essentially a four-step process described by the headings: “Investigation,” “Affirmation,” “Confirmation,” and “Celebration.” You begin with a personal Bible study and reflection time – that’s the investigation part. Membership materials are available on our website (click here to download Membership Affirmation Form, click here to download Membership Materials) and also in the foyer on the information wall, and can be completed on your own at your own pace (though we do recommend taking the membership class to process thematerilas in community). Upon completion of that study, you agree to a series of affirmations, and then give you the opportunity to meet with a pastor, elder, or ministry leader to be confirmed as a participating member.
After your confirmation interview, we’ll celebrate your new membership together with your Life Group or Ministry Team and the rest of the body at our membership celebration during one of our weekend services.
Participating Membership Vision Statement:
That each HCC regular attender would embrace and be able to articulate the value of the role, rights, responsibilities, and tenets of HCC participating membership.
Why is it important to be a Participating Member (PM)?
- 1. The PM process is a means of discipleship-making, helping ones be (more) oriented with applications of Heritage ministry and values (an “acceptable response” to the presence of God, the “Jesus Way”, “doing life together”) to this local faith community.
- 2. The more PMs, the stronger and safer our community becomes as we speak (more) with one voice on (more) key issues of faith and practice.
- 3. On a related note, being a PM is not just about the prospective PM, but about them being (more) able to effectively represent Heritage and speak as a HCC ambassador to those who will come after us.
- 4. Being a PM can give one more “ownership” (resolve, confidence) in the ministry of Heritage, even if that witness is mostly internal to the PM.
- 5. Being a PM is a “witness” to the world, that someone is so committed to this local spiritual community that they are willing to publicly and unwaveringly “plant their flag” here.
- 6. Being a PM is an encouragement to the body, that one is committed to unconditionally “do life together”.