Welcome to the Bridge Online - Membership Covenant

Everyone who professes faith in Jesus Christ is a member of the Body of Christ (Ephesians 2:19) and the global and historical Church that He said He would build (Matthew 16:18). As Christians, we are members of God's household but also called to function, participate, and minister in a particular place within the body of Christ. A healthy body requires that each member do its part well. There is much to be shared and gained through intentional partnership and commitment with a local church.

At The Bridge, we prefer to think of Membership as Missionship. Missionship suggests a group of people who think about the business of the church and intentionally participate and share in the responsibility of making our vision a reality, but doesn't include those who merely choose to attend and to walk the journey of faith and life in community with us.

Local Membership/Missionship is open to those who:

· Are at least 16 years of age

· Profess faith in the claims of Christ, are obedient to the teachings of Christ, following the ways of Christ, and continuing the works of Christ

· Understand and agree with our Doctrine (interpretations of Biblical teachings)

· Understand and embrace our Mission, Vision, and Values

· Are active participants in at least one area of service through our local church

· Are faithful and consistent financial contributors

If you are inetersted in becoming a member you should attend the "Blueprints" Class where you will discover more about our church's Mission, Vision, Values, Organization, Leadership, Doctrine and Ministry Opportunities. All members sign a Membership Covenant stating that they share the following values and will participate in the practical expressions of those values:

Community

We believe that every person is created in the image of God. The full image of God is revealed when we live deeply with one another, carrying one another's burdens, sharing our possessions, praying for one another, confessing our faults and sins to one another, suffering with one another, and celebrating with one another. As unity and communion are expressed in the deep relationship of the Triune Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) we seek to reflect the unity of God in our unity with one another. The way of Jesus cannot be lived alone.

Commitment: We covenant to go together because we were made to live in community.

Practical Application: We will gather regularly in celebration, worship, fellowship, study, service, encouragement, accountability, prayer, and sharing.

Faith In Christ

As devoted followers of Jesus we believe His claims of being the Christ, adhere to His teachings, participate in His activity, and continue His works. We see ourselves as a growing community learning to live life with God in the way of Jesus. We represent a generous Christian orthodoxy, rooted in the Scriptures and consistent with the ancient creeds of the church.

Commitment: We covenant to be centered on the claims, teachings, way, and works of Christ.

Practical Application: We will proclaim Jesus Christ as the only Son of God, Savior and Redeemer of the World, and live our lives accordingly.

Process

We value the process of conforming to the image of Christ and not just being called a "Christian." We view moments of decision as mile markers on the journey of faith drawing us closer to all that God intended and created us to be. We are constantly exploring, questioning, and wrestling with new and creative ways to live out and communicate the teachings of Jesus. Because we see faith as a journey, change is assumed, innovation is expected, and rebirth is welcome. We understand and respect that we are not all at the same place in our journey of faith.

Commitment: We covenant to go forward by responding daily to all that we know and are discovering about God through Christ, with all that we know and are discovering about ourselves.

Practical Application: We will avail ourselves of opportunities that challenge and inspire us to grow and expand personally and corporately.

Character

What we do flows naturally out of who we are. We believe that conforming to the nature and image of Christ necessitates a personal pursuit of holiness and moral purity according to Scripture and the example of Christ.

Commitment: We covenant to go inward as people of character and integrity worthy to be followed.

Practical Application: We will strive to live free from sin and submit to those in spiritual authority over us and to one another for accountability and encouragement.

Cultural Relevance / Missional

We seek to align our identity, activities, and faith with God's redemptive activity in the greater communities of Cleveland, White County, and Northeast Georgia. We choose to live as missionaries who live, eat, and breathe the life of Cleveland, White County and North Georgia every day, placed in the culture to emulate Jesus. We do not seek to establish a Christian sub-culture, but rather a genuine expression of devoted Christ followers fully engaging and participating in our local, national, and global community.

We do not seek to isolate ourselves from the culture but strive to engage the culture and work with the Spirit of God to redeem it. God is not restricted or limited from revealing Himself and working only in places and through people we consider sacred. We are passionate about relieving suffering, fighting injustice, and pleading the cause of the oppressed. We are to be a compelling force for good in our world and learn to speak the language, embrace the values, and address the issues of those around us.

Commitment: We covenant to go outward to engage the people of our community and beyond, because Jesus calls us to serve the world.

Practical Application: We will offer ourselves to our neighbors, co-workers, and community through personal investment and sacrifice, extending personal invitations to others to share life and faith with us, and inspiring others to hope and believe in Christ.

Calling / Purpose

Christianity is to be a way of life which sends followers of Christ into the world to serve God and our neighbors, so that God's will may be done on earth as it is in heaven. Our belief is that every person is intentionally created by a loving God with unique personalities, talents, gifts, and abilities that reveal something of the activity and reality of God.

Commitment: We covenant to go upward to glorify God and make Him known by offering our gifts and talents and resources.

Practical Application: We will give of our time, talents, abilities, and skills in ministry within the church, and/or in the community on behalf of the church, and regularly give of our finances in the form of tithes and offerings for the support of the church and its ministries and activities.

Holistic Life

We believe that through Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit, God is redeeming every part of our lives. We accept that the salvation Jesus offers is the only hope for the healing of our relationship with God, each other, ourselves, and creation. We believe that all of life is spiritual and that all of our fears, failures, and brokenness can be restored and made whole. We value the inner journey because we want to be fully integrated people--mind, body, and soul, emotions and experiences--all offered together to God.

Commitment: We covenant to go fully, by submitting every area of life to the leading of the Holy Spirit and the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Practical Application: We will seek to discover and pursue the call of God and to increase our level of influence in the lives of others for His purposes.