How to Join
Why do we have a participating membership process at DCC?
The answer to this question comes when understanding what we mean by membership and the concept of participating membership. The place to start is with our purpose and why we exist and what we are all about as a church.
Our purpose statement is: Developing followers of Jesus Christ who love God, love people and take the Gospel to the world.
In order to accomplish this purpose, we need committed people who want to participate and we need to be organized about who they are and what they are doing. That is where membership comes in. It is not just a formal designation, but a process to determine who is part of the team and family and who is participating in what is happening here.
What is happening here is all about what God wants to do through us. The people that become a part of us are endeavoring to accomplish our purpose. We strongly believe that God will provide all the people and resources to do all that He wants us to do. The challenge is for each part of the family to be obedient to that part God wants them to play. One of the huge thrills in the life of our church family is to see ministries develop, continue and flourish because of the passion, gifting and abilities of people that God has brought to us and will bring to us.
What is participating membership at DCC?
Your membership indicates your commitment to the beliefs and purpose of Dunwoody Community Church. It indicates that you are a part of this local expression of the body of Jesus Christ. We function as a body in that each part has a vital role so that the entire body grows and builds itself up. Therefore, our membership is more about “growing” and “becoming” than it is about “joining” and “staying”.
Membership has its privileges and responsibilities and requirements:
Requirements (few, but crucial):
- Being a follower of Jesus Christ.
- Agreement with our doctrinal statement and purpose.
- Completion of the questionnaire and a conversation with an elder, pastor or ministry leader.
Responsibilities (general, but important):
- Being a vital participant in accomplishing our purpose. This includes your personal development as a follower of Christ as you grow in grace.
- Obedience to God’s leading for your stewardship and giving which includes:
Giving of your gifts and abilities.
Giving of your time and energy
Giving of your money and resources - Annually updating your participating membership at Dunwoody Community Church.
Privileges (priceless):
- The joy, friendship, fun, learning, growth and satisfaction that comes from being a part of a church family.
- Developing as a follower of Jesus Christ in order to do the best you can to get the maximum out of what God has given you.
- Support and help from the church family in times of need and crisis.
- The peace, fulfillment and satisfaction that come from being a part of what God is doing through you and others in the church family.
- The opportunity to influence and affirm key decisions of the church including the affirmation of elder candidates.
- Facility use for special occasions (weddings, birthday parties, etc).
What is the membership process?
- Complete the participating membership questionnaire and return it to the church office.
- Enjoy a conversation with an elder, pastor or ministry leader to discuss questions you have and the questionnaire you completed. (There are no “surprise” questions coming in this discussion except for the questions that you have on the questionnaire – the basis for the discussion will be the questionnaire).
- Receive a letter of affirmation, celebration and challenge as a part of the Dunwoody Community Church family.
- At the beginning of each year, in conjunction with a presentation of the Ministry Plan (what we believe God wants us to do, how much it will cost and who is going to do it), complete a Participating Member Update Questionnaire and have a discussion with an elder, pastor or ministry leader to share ideas and answer questions. (Again, no surprise questions here).
What membership is NOT at Dunwoody Community Church:
There is not a sign that says “members only” at DCC. Someone does not have to be a member to attend. Much to the contrary, we exist for those who are not yet members. Visitors and regular attenders are welcomed and encouraged. However, our desire is for people to grow and develop as followers of Jesus Christ. Regardless of where someone may be (seeker, saint or skeptic) in their spiritual journey when they begin attending DCC, our hope is that they will grow and that eventually the membership process will be part of that growth.
Membership is not a method of gaining favor with God or a way to get to heaven. Sometimes people mistakenly think that membership in a church is what gets them to heaven. Another fallacy some people assume is that they will get into heaven if their good stuff outweighs their bad stuff. The Bible makes it very clear that it is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ that we are saved because our sins are forgiven and we receive the gift of eternal life in heaven. Jesus alone paid the debt for our sins and rose from the dead so we can follow Him today.
Membership is also not a spectator sport. Dunwoody Community Church has a participating membership which means that members are expected to be participating according to their giftedness, abilities and passions in some area of ministry.
What if I’m not ready to become a participating member?
No pressure. That is fine. A few things to be understood. You can be considered a regular attender of DCC if you desire. A regular attender of DCC is someone who:
- answers the question, “Where do you go to church?” with the answer “Dunwoody Community Church.”
- is still investigating Christianity and not ready to commit to participating in the church.
- is a follower of Christ but not ready to become a member at DCC.
And please know that all of these are fine. You are very welcome here to do this. Also know, that our desire is not for you to stay where you are in your spiritual journey, but to continue to grow. Our prayer is that as you pray, “God, help me to know You and know the truth” that God will clearly answer that for you through the ministry of DCC.
