We believe that 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.

Paul develops the term "member" in his letters included in the New Testament. Those in the Christian community are all considered "members" of the body of Christ. The term "membership," however, seems to have lost some of its usefulness in our culture. In secular culture, membership is often defined by what a member receives. One can be a member of the YMCA, the country club, a fan club, etc. At The Bridge, our "members" are better viewed as missionaries who live, eat, and breathe the life of Cleveland, White County, and North Georgia every day and placed in the culture to emulate Jesus. Members also serve within the church: during Sunday services, as Ministry Team leaders, as teachers, nursery and Kids Church volunteers, on prayer teams, offering support to the sick and needy, showing hospitality, and on and on.

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.

Missionship is where people enter into a covenant relationship to expand and accomplish the mission of the community of faith. It is making ourselves available to one another, and the devotion of our time, talents, resources, skills, and energy to carry out the mission, pursue the vision, and uphold the values that make our local fellowship unique from other local communities of faith. Missionship describes the relationship of those who know who we are, why we exist, what we are setting out to do, and the method by which we will do it, and then decide that they want to help make it happen. Members who enter into a covenant with their local church are called to a higher degree of responsibility and service. At the same time, the elders and deacons are covenanted to assist members first and foremost, to love and lead, provide counsel and aid, as well as to pray for, teach, and guide.

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