Champions Guild: Where Excellence Unites

Citadel of Victory (COV) upholds specific guidelines and a distinct ethos for its members. These principles include unwavering faithfulness, active service, and a teachable spirit. Aspiring members are encouraged to embrace these values, fostering a vibrant and purposeful community within the church

The Premise For Church Membership

A.     Salvation is the key:

1. The essential requirement for church membership is a personal spiritual rebirth, not merely adherence to a set of rules or rituals.
2. A true believer, having been born again, is part of the universal Church of Christ, which transcends time and place, encompassing past, present, and future believers (Refer to John 1:11-12; John 3:3, 16-18; John 17:20; Hebrews 11:39-12:1).

B.     The Necessity of Local Church Affiliation:

1. Belonging to a local congregation involves moving beyond individualism and committing oneself to a community.
2. Just as Jesus Christ willingly sacrificed His comfort to connect with humanity, believers are called to do the same.
3. Local congregations have specific expectations for their members, with salvation being the most fundamental prerequisite.

C.     The Implications of Church Membership:

1. The metaphor of the body of Christ illustrates that church membership is not isolated; members are interdependent, each contributing to the whole (1 Corinthians 12:21-26).
2. Church members are expected to operate in unity, with each person’s ministry serving the collective good.
3. Every member has a unique, divinely appointed role within the church.
4. The New Testament mandates that church elders shepherd their congregation diligently (Acts 20:28).
5. Elders bear a distinct responsibility to care for a particular community of believers.
6. Members are called to respect and follow the guidance of their church leaders (Hebrews 13:17).
7. Church discipline, as outlined in the scriptures, presupposes an established membership (Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 5:12).
8. The process of excommunication indicates the existence of formal church membership (1 Corinthians 5:12-13).
9. Membership delineates who is an accountable part of the church body, ensuring clarity and order within the community.

These points underscore the importance of church membership as a commitment that goes beyond individual faith to include active participation in a community of believers.