You are members of God s very own family and you belong in God s household with every other Christian. (Ephesians 2:19) Healthy families =, but not.

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1 Hello, I want to thank you for taking the time to attend Thrive 101- Membership Class online! My goal for this class is to help you understand that Thrive Church is more than a place to attend on Sunday mornings. It is a faith community that is filled with people who are all at different places in their spiritual journey. To be clear, there is nothing super amazing or epic about Thrive Church. We are flawed and imperfect in many ways. It is this realization that causes us to recognize we need a spiritual family to help us grow and mature as followers of Jesus Christ. It s pretty tough doing it alone. When Thrive first started, it was comprised of just a handful of people who were actively serving, giving, and committed to the strategy, style and purpose of the church. Since then, that number has continued to grow! Today there are hundreds of members partnering together in the mission of helping people find and follow Jesus Christ. That is why I never refer to Thrive Church as my church because it s not! It is our church! As you watch online, I hope that you are inspired to join this movement of lifechange that started back in April of Thank you for taking the time to consider your role and involvement at Thrive Church! Tom Elmore PS I want you to know that our staff is committed to praying for you and the other members of Thrive on a regular basis. Please let me know if there is anything we can do for you!

2 Biblical metaphors for the Church: Body (1 Corinthians 12:12) Building (Ephesians 2:21) Bride (Ephesians 5:31-32) Flock (Acts 20:28) Household (1 Timothy 3:14-15) The church is a! You are members of God s very own family and you belong in God s household with every other Christian. (Ephesians 2:19) Healthy families =, but not. AS A CHURCH FAMILY, WE MUST BE UNITED ON THE FOLLOWING: 1.) Our. - The foundation for everything that we do. 2.) Our. - Why we exist as a church. (Our specific focus) 3.) Our. - How we do church. (Our style and strategy) 4.) Our. - The role of church leaders and church members. 2

3 OUR BELIEFS: We separate beliefs into two categories: &. HOW WE APPROACH OUR BELIEFS: 1.) In essential beliefs, we have. There is one body and one Spirit one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all (Ephesians 4:4-6) 2.) In non-essential beliefs, we have. Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters who are you to judge someone else s servant? To his own master he stands or falls So then each of us will give an account of himself to God So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God (Romans 14:1, 3, 12, 22) 3.) In all beliefs, we show. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:2) If you love me, obey my commandments. (John 14:15) 3

4 THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH: Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you (Matthew 28:19-20) Thrive Church exists to make it easy for everyone to & Jesus Christ! And so my judgment is that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Thrive Church exists to make the message of Jesus & for the 80% who don t go to church! HOW WE DO IT: 1.) methods. 2.). 3.). 4.). 5.). 4

5 6.) Huge emphasis on. 7.) Recognize that is a. 8.). 9.). 10.). THE CHURCH SHOULD ALWAYS BE A HOSPITAL FOR NOT A HOTEL FOR! 5

6 BIBLICAL ROLE OF CHURCH LEADERSHIP: As shepherds and overseers of a local church, the leadership is entrusted with protecting, leading, equipping, and caring for the corporate church body and her individual members. Here are some of the Biblical expectations: To prayerfully seek God s will for Thrvie Church and the community and to steward church resources in a way that lines up with Scripture. (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-4) To care for the church and ensure she is growing in grace, truth and love. (Matthew 28:16-20; Ephesians 4:15-16; Colossians 1:28; James 5:14; 1 Peter 5:1-4) To provide teaching and counsel from the whole of Scripture. (Acts 20:27-28; 1 Timothy 4:16; 2 Timothy 4:1-5; Titus 2:1) To be on guard against false teachers and teachings. (Matthew 7:15; Acts 20:28-31; 1 Timothy 1:3-7; 1 John 4:1) To lovingly exercise discipline when necessary, for the glory of God, the good of the one disciplined and the health of the church as a whole. (Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 5; Galatians 6:1; James 5:19-20) To equip the members of the church for the work of ministry. (Ephesians 4:11-16) To set an example and join members in fulfilling the responsibilities of church membership as talked about in this class. (Philippians 3:17; 1 Timothy 4:12; Titus 2:7-8; 1 Peter 5:3) 6

7 BIBLICAL ROLE OF CHURCH MEMBERSHIP: As those who have experienced the grace of God, we have the opportunity to reflect the character of Christ through the pursuit of certain attitudes and actions and the rejection of others. The Scriptures refer to this reality as living in step with God s Spirit. (Romans Chapter 8) The Biblical role of Church Membership is in no way intended to be an addition to the Biblical obligations of a Christ Follower! To submit to the authority of the Scriptures as the final mediator on all issues. (Psalm 119; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21) To pursue spiritual growth and submission to God by obeying what he asks us to. (John 4:24; James 4:17; John 14:15; Matthew 77:24-27) To regularly participate in the life of Thrive Church by attending weekly services, engaging in community and serving those within and outside of the church. (Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 10:23-25; Titus 3:14) To steward the resources God has given, including time, talents, spiritual gifts and finances. This includes regular financial giving, service and participation in community that is sacrificial, cheerful and voluntary. (Matthew 25:14-30; Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 8-9; 1 Peter 4:10-11) To protect the unity of the church by working towards peace and unison with church leadership and other church members. (Ephesians 4:1-3; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:5) 7

8 PERSONAL COMMITMENT: There is one thing that separates a casual attender from someone who we consider a Member at Thrive Church:. 1.) in the Church Family! - Be intentional about pursuing community! Every day they (the followers of Jesus) continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts (Acts 2:46) 2.) the Church Family! We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. (Romans 12:6-8) It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13) 8

9 3.) the Church Family! Thrive Church is fully supported by its! Since you excel in so many ways in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving. (2 Corinthians 8:7) A BIBLICAL PLAN FOR GIVING: A.) giving. Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best. (Proverbs 3:9) B.) giving. Make an offering of ten percent, a tithe bring this into the presence of God in this way you will learn to live in deep reverence before God as long as you live. (Deuteronomy 14:23) C.) giving. Remember this a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. (2 Corinthians 9:6) 3 ways to Thrive Church: - Sunday Service at the giving centers - (online giving and auto debit) 9

10 - Mail in postage paid envelope provided in program each weekend. 4.) the Church Family! - Proactively the unity of Thrive Church! 10

11 Appendix A Page 12: Membership FAQ s Appendix B Page 14: Roadblocks To Faithful Giving Appendix C Page 16: Water Baptism Appendix D Page 18: Communion Appendix E Page 20: Child Dedications Appendix F Page 22: Children s Ministry Appendix G Page 23: Essential Beliefs Appendix H Page 25: Contact Information 11

12 APPENDIX A Membership FAQ s: What does it mean to be a member? At Thrive Church, we see membership as a covenant relationship between people and their church. Covenant is a Biblical concept. In the Ancient Near East, it was a binding agreement in which covenant members had certain obligations and could expect certain benefits in return. What made a covenant different from a simple binding agreement is that covenant implied meaningful relationship: God covenanted with Noah, with Abraham, with the people of Israel at Mt. Sinai, and eventually brought about a new covenant, available to all through Jesus Christ. Binding agreement can seem intense, especially in our culture today where we are taught to value freedom and independence. But Paul speaks about this in Romans 12 when he writes, Don t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you by changing the way you think. The Holy Spirit is challenging the way we think about commitment in our culture. A membership commitment swims against the current of America s consumerist worldview it is an unselfish decision to become a member! We recognize that membership in a local church is often not for life. People move, things change, and that s okay. This is the reason why we occasionally ask members to renew their Covenant. The point is committing to community, having that meaningful relationship, in a local expression of the body of Christ. Who is the covenant between me and God or me and Thrive? Both! As one people, we covenant with God. As a local expression of God s church, we covenant together with each other. This means we covenant with each other and with God. 12

13 Why should someone covenant in membership with Thrive Church? First of all, it s Biblical. Scripture shows the command for Christians to submit to and honor a leadership body (Hebrews 13:17, 1 Timothy 5:17), as well as have that leadership body care for its members. (1 Peter 5:1-5, Acts 20:29-30) You will also find examples of the church keeping records of who belongs, addressing problems, tracking growth, making plans for how to care for members, and much more. (Acts 2:27-47, Acts 6:1-6, Romans 16:1-16, 1 Timothy 5:3-16) Secondly, it s good for you and good for others. We believe that growth happens when you make commitments. That s why we write next steps on connect cards each week, and on a bigger scale, why we do commitments to membership. When you commit to what membership means, you will grow! When church is just a place you attend without ever joining, like some kind of church buffet, it s very easy to leave whenever your heart begins to be exposed by the Spirit, and the real work is beginning to happen. Additionally, when you are in relationship with the church, you are in relationship with the others who belong here. Your growth commitment is both an encouragement to and spurred on by the growth and commitment of others. New Testament Scriptures place a major emphasis on the need for Christians to be accountable to each other for spiritual growth. You cannot be accountable when you re not committed to any specific church family. Ultimately, we believe that committing your life to Christ, to others in the community, and to bringing the healing of Jesus to the world is what it means to be a Christian AND a church! Formally participating in covenant worship is a way of declaring that this commitment to Christ and His church is a serious reality in your life. 13

14 APPENDIX B Roadblocks To Faithful Giving: Money is a private matter between me and God. There is nothing magical or especially holy about money. It s just a gift. A tool. We can wield it wisely or foolishly, so we need to hold each other accountable for how we use it. Though we will give a personal account to God for how we steward our resources, he has given us these resources in part to help build his kingdom and spread the gospel, which is not a solitary, private accomplishment but work that is carried out by the local church. Plus, given the amount of airtime and gravity money gets in Scripture, if we can talk about prayer, marriage, parenting, worship, and so on, then surely we can talk about this integral component of our spiritual growth. I need to save money before I can give any. It s not wrong to save or spend, but neither should replace giving. When the economy lags, our idols tend to shift from rash spending to incessant hoarding. Regardless of circumstances, God is the source of all things, and He is trustworthy, so we must not trade over-consumption for excessive self-reliance. I don t trust the church. If someone doesn t trust the church enough to give or be involved, this probably indicates another underlying issue, possibly a bad experience with the local church. In any case, if someone has a difficult time trusting their church, they should probably find a church they can trust and go there instead. As a proactive measure, we have an open book policy that allows for any member of the church, who is active and intentional in their giving, to request to see our financial books. 14

15 I give to other organizations, ministries, charities the church at large. We believe supporting and giving to lots of different organizations and causes is a terrific way to exercise your generosity, but not at the expense of giving to your regular church home. In the Bible, we see a pattern of people giving generously to the local place of worship. (Malachi 3:10, Mark 12:41-44) As members of the same faith family, this is a great habit to develop and ensures the church doesn t become a financial burden to just a few people. I can t afford to give right now. Giving is a challenge for everybody. Rarely does anybody say, It s easy! The fact is, most people cannot afford to give AND maintain their current lifestyle. That s why giving needs to be proactive and intentional. What are some things you can cut out of your lifestyle to develop the habit of generous giving? 15

16 APPENDIX C Water Baptism: Why should I be baptized? 1.) To follow the example set by Jesus. (Matthew 3:13-15) 2.) Because Christ prioritized it. (Matthew 28:19-20) 3.) It is a public and outward expression of faith. (Matthew 10:32) What is the meaning of baptism? 1.) It illustrates Christ s death, burial, and resurrection. (Colossians 2:20) 2.) It illustrates my new life as a Christian. (Romans 6:4) 3.) Baptism doesn t make you a believer it shows that you already believe. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Why be baptized by immersion? 1.) Because Jesus was baptized by immersion. (Matthew 3:16) 2.) Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion. (Acts 8:38-39) 3.) The Greek word baptizo means to immerse or dip under water. 16

17 Who should be baptized? 1.) Every person who has put their trust in Jesus. (Acts 2:41) 2.) Children who have put their trust in Jesus and have a clear understanding of baptism. With regard to young children at Thrive Church, we encourage children to wait until they are 9 years of age or older before being baptized. It s around this age that most kids are developmentally able to start understanding the symbolism of baptism and the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus. We do encourage parents to bring their young children before the Lord and their church community in a prayer of dedication. This is intended to be a covenant between the parents and God on the behalf of the child. The parents promise to raise their child in the faith until the child is old enough to make a personal decision for Christ. The church family agrees to pray for and care for the child within the church family. *** For more information on child dedication, see Appendix E *** 17

18 APPENDIX D Communion: Jesus never asked His disciples to remember His birth, but He did instruct them to remember His death and resurrection. Communion is intended to be taken by followers of Jesus Christ. What is communion? (1 Corinthians 11:23-26) 1.) It is a simple act, not an elaborate ceremony. 2.) It is a reminder of what Jesus did. 3.) It is a statement of faith. How do I prepare myself for communion? (1 Corinthians 11:27-28) 1.) our thoughts and attitudes should be in remembrance of Jesus and in reverence toward Him. 2.) To take communion in an unworthy manner would mean that we are never to participate without centering our hearts and minds on our purpose. We are never to mindlessly take communion. 3.) We prepare ourselves by: - Self-examination (1 Corinthians 11:27) - Confessing our sins (1 John 1:9) - Recommitting our lives to God (Romans 12:1) - Restoring broken relationships (Matthew 5:23-24, Hebrews 12:14-15) 18

19 When and how often should we celebrate communion? Jesus never said when of how often believers should participate in communion. We encourage believers to take communion in a home setting with family and friends, like it was first received. As a church, we sometimes take communion on a special weekend or during a special event. We also encourage all of our Growth Groups to celebrate communion together as a Group during each Groups Season. 19

20 APPENDIX E Child Dedications: We believe children are a gift from God. (Psalm 138:13-14) We believe God has a purpose and a plan for each of His children. (Ephesians 2:10) We believe parents have a responsibility to teach their children about God. (Deuteronomy 6:6-7) Dedication isn t as much a statement for the child as it is for the parents. When Moses instructed the Hebrew people, he placed spiritual leadership on the parents: Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9) Moses wasn t responsible for the spiritual condition of the child. The child wasn t responsible for its own spiritual health. The parent was ultimately responsible to help their child know the God that brought them out of Egypt And that requires intentionality: - Talk about God at home - Talk about God when you re driving - Talk about God in the morning and at bedtime - Create symbols around your home to remind your kids of their heavenly Father 20

21 In a busy world where we are continually distracted, raising spiritually mature children requires an even greater level of intentionality. Baby dedication is a statement to your friends, family and to God that you as parents are taking spiritual responsibility for your child. It s a statement that you won t be passive in your child s spiritual growth. The dedication of your child is a statement that you are committed to training up your child in the way they should go. You commit to creating this environment through your marriage (if you are married), in the way you discipline, in the way you love, in the way you speak, and in your lifestyle that influences your children towards Jesus. We encourage all our Thrive parents to dedicate their child in the presence of family and friends. Typically, child dedications take place every quarter 4 times a year with more frequency as needed. To sign up, go to 21

22 APPENDIX F Children s Ministry: We try to create a fun Chuck E. Cheese type atmosphere for all of our kids, so that they look forward to attending church on Sundays. However, in the midst of the fun we take time each week to teach our kids about God in a way that is age appropriate and easy to understand. Here are the key checkpoints that we focus our Children s programs around each and every Sunday: Preschool: 1.) God loves us all! 2.) Jesus is our friend. 3.) We want to be like Jesus. Elementary: 1.) Jesus forgives our sins: PAST, PRESENT, and FUTURE. 2.) Your friendships shape who you are choose your friends wisely. 3.) God places adults in our life to help guide us. 4.) Consider others before yourself. 5.) God can be trusted. He will do what He promises to do. 6.) Your character is important. It shows people you love Jesus. 7.) God loves you no matter what! Middle School: 1.) Jesus forgives our sins: PAST, PRESENT, and FUTURE. 2.) Your friendships shape who you are. 3.) God knows more than I do. Following him leads to freedom in my life. 4.) Consider others before yourself. 5.) God can be trusted. He will do what he promises to do. 6.) Your character is important. It shows people you love Jesus. 7.) Sexual purity paves the way to intimacy. 22

23 APPENDIX G Essential Beliefs: We believe God inspired the authors of Scripture by his Spirit to speak to all generations of believers, including us today. In the original writings they are without error. We believe the Scriptures speak with the authority of God while reflecting the backgrounds, styles, and vocabularies of the human authors. By God s Spirit, we seek to interpret, contextualize, and live out this story even today. (Psalm 19:7-11; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21) We believe in one God, creator of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three persons, Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit. God created humans in his image to live in loving fellowship with him. But the enemy tempted the first humans and because we choose to sin and go our own way, we are alienated from God and suffer the corruption of our nature because of our sin. Because of this, death, disease, darkness, and evil have entered the world and all of creation is in desperate need of redemption. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 45:5-6; Isaiah 46:9-10; John 17:3; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6; 1 Timothy 2:5; Genesis1:26; Psalm 45:6-7; Psalm 110:1; Matthew 3:13-17; Matthew 28:17-20; 1 Corinthians 12:4-6; Genesis 6:5; Psalm 51:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:23; 5:8, 12-21; 7:18; Ephesians 2:1-3; Genesis 2:15-17; Genesis 3:19; Romans 5:12; 6:23; James 1:14-15) This perfect and holy God did not abandon us to our own destruction but instead promised to provide a way to restoration and redemption. That way took on flesh in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. (Matthew 1:20; Luke 2:52; John 1:1-4, 14; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:1-3) 23

24 He died a substitute death on the cross as payment for our sins. His suffering, death, burial, and resurrection bring hope for all humankind. Sin and death have been defeated and the promise of forgiveness and eternal communion with God are available through Jesus. No amount of good works or human effort can restore us from our state of eternal alienation from God. (John 1:29; 10:1-18; Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 1:4; 1 Peter 3:18) It is only by God s free grace that we are saved from this state of alienation. This grace is appropriated by a change of heart toward God s leadership in our lives, and by faith in Jesus to forgive our sins. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:16; Romans 5:1-2; Romans 11:6) God s Holy Spirit works in us to bring conviction of a person s need for the forgiveness of sin through Christ. He regenerates our hearts and then permanently indwells us, affirming as children of God all who trust Jesus. The Holy Spirit empowers us with gifts, convicts, guides, comforts, counsels, and leads us into truth through a communal life of worship and a missional expression of our faith. This expression is called the church. (John 16:8; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 5:5; Romans 8:27; 1 Corinthians 12:4; Ephesians 4:30) The church is rooted and grounded in Christ, practicing spiritual disciplines and celebrating baptism and the Lord s Supper. The church is a global and local expression of living out the way of Jesus through love, peace, sacrifice, and healing as we embody the resurrected Christ, who lives in and through us to a broken and hurting world. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Acts 2:41; Acts 8:12-13) 24

25 APPENDIX H Contact Information: Church Address: Westlake Prep Bellaire Blvd. Richmond, TX Church Office: Thrive Hub McKinnon Rd. Fulshear, TX *** Please Note: This is not our mailing address! *** Church Mailing Address: Thrive Church Westheimer Pkwy #513 Katy, TX Church Phone Number:

26 NOTES: 26