Ignition Membership Pre-Class Booklet

1700 E. Blackhawk Trail Rd. Eldridge, IA 52748 www.northridgecc.com office@northridgecc.com

563.285.7819

“Connecting in community with Jesus and each other”

Updated 11/05/2013

Welcome! So, you signed up for the Ignition Membership Class to learn more about North Ridge Community Church and you are thinking of becoming a member. Becoming a member is a significant promise and commitment that you make to God and the other members at North Ridge. This booklet has been written to help you understand that commitment, to answer some questions about us and help you to come better prepared for the class. At North Ridge Community Church, it is our desire that you be connected to God through His Son Jesus Christ. Not just to know about Him, but to know Him in a very personal way. We encourage you to read this material before the class and complete the Family Profile and Ministry Opportunities forms at the end of the booklet and bring it with you to the class. Who should attend Ignition Membership? All those in your family who have publicly made profession of faith, confirmation, been baptized, or would like to do so for the first time at North Ridge should participate in the Ignition Membership class. Also, those who currently have full membership privileges at another church and wish to become members at North Ridge should also participate in the class. If, after going through the class, you would like to become a member, we will schedule a time for Pastor Doug and/or an Elder from North Ridge to visit your family in order to get to know you better and to answer any other questions you may have. Once that is complete we will schedule a Sunday morning for you to be acknowledged as new members at NRCC. As part of the ongoing care at North Ridge, Pastor Doug or an Elder will call or visit your family on occasion to see how we can serve you and help you grow in your faith. We trust that this membership class will bring a sense of excitement about North Ridge Community Church and about serving our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The Leadership Team of North Ridge Community Church

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Our PURPOSE: To worship and glorify Jesus Christ through fellowship with God and each other; growing in faith, equipping each other to serve, and sharing the good news of Jesus with our community.

Connecting in community with Jesus and each other is the primary purpose of North Ridge Community Church.

Our VISION: To develop a Christ-centered ministry in North Scott County. Our ministry will focus on meeting

the needs of the people in our community through:

o Bible-based teaching that helps people understand and apply the Word of God. o Educational classes and seminars that help families put Christ first in their lives. o A friendly, casual and inviting worship service that features meaningful music, Bible-based

relevant messages and strong children’s programs. o Small group activities that help people connect with others in the community. o Involvement and participation in the community through service-oriented projects and

activities.

Our MISSION: North Ridge Community Church exists to build a culturally relevant church in the North Scott area that reaches out to people who are disconnected from God and the church community by helping them to:

o Experience Jesus through celebrative and reflective worship.

o Connect into an expanding network of loving and interdependent relationships through Life Groups.

o Learn the spiritual disciplines that help them grow and mature in their faith and relationship with Jesus Christ.

o Learn and apply biblical principles to the everyday tasks of life. o Discover and employ their spiritual gifts and God-given design for ministry. o Learn and empower them to share their faith with others. o Join in building God’s kingdom beyond the North Scott area.

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Our PASSION: Our passion is to help people become healthy and growing followers of Jesus Christ. We believe spiritual growth happens when you balance the 3C’s:

Celebrate * Connect * Contribute. We believe these are three key experiences that give you the optimal journey toward a growing relationship with Jesus. We invite you to explore what these core commitments mean and find out how you can participate in them along with other Christ followers at North Ridge. Celebrate: The Love of God and His Work in Our Lives

Celebrating together represents our passion and commitment to gather together to grow deeper in communion with God in the midst of community with others and to celebrate what God is doing in our lives and in the church. Connect: Plug in to what God is doing at North Ridge We provide many ministries to help families connect into the life of the church and grow in their relationship with Jesus and each other. Contribute: Discover and use your Spiritual Gifts, Talents, Passions, & Resources A healthy follower of Christ gives of themselves and their finances. We desire to empower people to identify and use their gifts and resources to build God’s kingdom inside and outside the church.

Our AFFILIATIONS: We are affiliated with the following organizations:

o We are members of the Reformed Church in America o The Willow Creek Association

What are the advantages of affiliating with such groups? 1. We identify with other Christians around the country and world who are known for their

commitment to the Bible. 2. We identify with other Christians around the world who are committed to the purpose of

reaching people for Jesus Christ.

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What We BELIEVE: GOD

We believe there is one divine being who has existed eternally. He exists and reveals Himself to man in

three distinct, equally divine persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. While we cannot fully comprehend His

divine nature, it is possible for people to know Him. At the beginning of time, God created the entire

universe and all its creatures. He continues to exercise His supreme power to sustain His creation.

Throughout history He has expressed His desire to be our God and to have a personal, eternal relationship

with us. We believe that God loves us and wants what is best for us.

JESUS

We believe that Jesus is the eternal divine Son of God. He chose voluntarily to be made in human likeness

and was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin. Although He lived a sinless life He allowed

Himself to be executed by crucifixion. His death paid the penalty for the offenses of mankind against God.

However, as prophesied, He rose from the dead three days after His execution. After appearing to

witnesses on a number of occasions for forty days, He ascended into heaven where He now serves as the

Mediator between God and man. We believe that at the end of time He will again visibly return to earth to

complete His eternal plan.

HOLY SPIRIT

The third person of God is the Holy Spirit. We believe the Holy Spirit dwells in every Christ follower. His

indwelling presence gives spiritual life to believers and distinguishes them as children of God. The Holy

Spirit guides Christ followers in understanding and applying God’s principles and values. Through the work

of the Holy Spirit, Christ followers are empowered to live Christ-like lives. The Holy Spirit also equips Christ

followers with talents and abilities for the purpose of building up God’s kingdom.

MAN

God created mankind in His image to live in relationship with Him. However, the first man and woman

were deceived by Satan. They rebelled and chose to be wrongfully independent from God. Their decision

alienated them from God. Every human being since that time has suffered the consequences of that

rebellion. We all fail to please God and are open to Satan’s deception. Our failure to please God, unless a

relationship is re-established with Him, results in condemnation under God’s judgment and would cause us

to spend eternity in hell. Furthermore, there is nothing we can do on our own to re-establish our

relationship with God.

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THE BIBLE

God divinely inspired human authors to write the sixty-six books of the Bible. He communicated through

these writers the values, principles, and ideals which please Him and are in our best interests. We believe

the Bible is entirely accurate, complete, and reliable. We look to the Bible for the revelation of the

character of God and it is the final authority on all matters of faith and conduct.

CHURCH

We believe that the Church is the radiant bride of Christ, a universal spiritual body made up of all believers

who acknowledge Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, each of whom is a vital part of God's plan. God is

relational in all that he is. It is part of God's nature to be loving and relational. God created us to be in

community. He desires to have a relationship with us and for us to relate with each other and the church

is that place where fellowship and community happens. We believe the church represents Jesus Christ to a

needy world. The Bible speaks of the church as Christ’s body. It compares it to a living organism, where

Jesus is the head. God arranges the parts of the body, Christ followers, just as He wants them to be. He

gives each Christ follower special functions to perform for the good of the body. To remain healthy, the

body’s members must work together. Each part contributes to the growth and maturity of the body. God

works through the church to reconcile a lost world to Himself through Jesus Christ. For this reason it is

important for Christ followers to regularly gather together for the purpose of celebration. During

celebration, Christ followers are equipped, built up, and encouraged through teaching, fellowship, prayer,

and communion. Celebration in this way enables believers to serve one another and reach out to the un-

churched people in their sphere of influence in fulfillment of the command of Jesus to go and make

disciples.

A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

Our inability to re-establish our relationship with God leaves us dependent on God’s mercy. God graciously

provided the means to reconcile this relationship through faith in Jesus Christ. Our relationship is re-

established when we make a commitment to accept Jesus as God’s son and our Savior and Lord. Through

faith in Jesus Christ, our sins are forgiven, and we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and eternal life.

Practically speaking, this acceptance is demonstrated through both a private and public commitment. We

demonstrate our commitment privately by faith (acting upon our belief that God has the power to save us)

and repentance (turning back to God and depending on Him to control our lives). At the same time, we

publicly express our commitment by confessing our acceptance of God’s salvation by publicly professing

our faith or submitting ourselves in Christian baptism.

THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

Once our relationship is re-established with God, we naturally want to spend time with Him and know Him better. The Holy Spirit enlightens us as we read God’s Word, the Bible, as we communicate with Him in prayer, and as we enter into loving relationships, Biblical community, with other Christ followers. In this way we begin to know God more intimately. As we become acquainted with God we desire to be like Him and please Him. This process of spiritual development motivates us to seek ways to serve God and prepares us to spend eternity in fellowship with Him

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NRCC Membership Covenant

Having received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior as evident in my public profession of faith or baptism, and being in agreement with North Ridge Community Church’s statements of belief, vision, mission, and purpose, I now feel led by the Spirit of God to join the NRCC family. In doing so I commit myself to God and to the other members to do the following:

1. I promise to PROTECT the UNITY of God’s church. ”May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:5 (NIV)

I promise to act in love toward other members (1 Peter 1:22)

I promise to refuse to gossip about other people and situations and resolve any conflicts that may occur by using Matthew 18:15-17 as my guide.

I promise to respect the authority of the leaders God has put in place at NRCC (Hebrews 13:17).

I promise to support and cooperate with the ministry leaders when serving in various ministries in the church.

I promise not to complain about any aspect of the church ministry and operation with anyone inside or outside of the church and will discuss any issues I have with the leadership members of the church.

I promise to teach my family the importance of the church as proclaimed in God’s

word. 2. I promise to PURSUE a personal RELATIONSHIP with Jesus as my Lord.

“Just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to live in obedience to him. Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done. Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT)

I promise to pursue spiritual growth through regular bible reading, prayer, worship attendance, serving and accountability with other believers.

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3. I promise to COMMIT myself to the 3C’s: CELEBRATE, CONNECT, AND CONTRIBUTE.

“Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.” Romans 12:4-5 (NLT)

I promise to commit myself and my family to celebrate with our spiritual family by gathering for worship on a regular basis.

I promise to commit myself and my family to connect into life giving environments that help us grow in our faith and relationship with God and others.

I promise to commit myself and my family to contribute by using the gifts God has given us to serve in a ministry that helps grow our faith and build God’s kingdom.

I promise to commit myself and my family to contribute by investing in the mission opportunities as provided by North Ridge Community Church.

I promise to commit myself and my family to contributing financially on a regular basis to help support the mission and ministry God has called us to (Tithing).

4. I promise to be an AUTHENTIC WITNESS for Jesus and His church.

“Whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father.” Colossians 3:17 (NLT)

I promise to do my best at living a Godly lifestyle.

I promise to commit myself and my family to reaching out to others who are disconnected from God and the church, sharing my faith and inviting them to “connect into community with Jesus and each other.”

I promise not to put myself or my family in a compromising position that would potentially ruin my reputation as a believer, Jesus reputation as my Lord, and the reputation of North Ridge Community Church.

I promise to seek the help of the leaders of this church if I am struggling with staying on track in my spiritual journey.

*If you would like to become a member of North Ridge Community Church

you will be asked to sign a NRCC Membership Covenant.*

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Please fill out the following pages before you attend the membership class and turn them in at the membership class. Family Profile—please fill this out with information about you and your family, including children. Ministry Opportunity—this lists ministry areas in North Ridge in which you could serve. Have each member of your family over the age of 13 complete this form front and back.

Make sure to bring this book with you to the class.

If you have any questions please contact

Marsha at 563-285-7819 or office@northridgecc.com

Thank you!

Updated 11/05/2013

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North Ridge Community Church Family Profile Please print clearly

Date ________________________

Full Name: ____________________ __________ ________________________ / / Sex: Male Female First Middle Last Birthday

Marital status _____________________________

Street Address: ____________________________ City ____________________State _______Zip Code ______________

Home Phone: ( ) ________________________ Cell Phone: ( ) _________________________

Preferred Email: _________________________________ Preferred Method of Contact: Email Phone Facebook

Occupation: ________________________________ Employer: _________________________________________________

Previous church: _________________________________________________________________________________________

Baptized? Yes No Date: / / Profession of Faith (confirmation)? Yes No Date: / /

Have you ever served as an elder or deacon? Elder Yes No - OR - Deacon Yes No

Name of Church where you served ______________________________________________________________________

SPOUSE:

Full Name: ____________________ __________ ________________________ / / Sex: Male Female First Middle Last Birthday

Preferred Email:_______________________________________________________ Connected on Facebook: Yes No

Cell Phone: ( ) __________________________ Preferred Method of Contact: Email Phone Facebook

Occupation:__________________________________ Employer: _____________________________________________

Previous church: _________________________________________________________________________________________

Baptized? Yes No Date: / / Profession of Faith (confirmation)? Yes No Date: / /

Have you ever served as an elder or deacon? Elder Yes No - OR - Deacon Yes No

Name of Church where you served ______________________________________________________________________

CHILDREN LIVING AT HOME:

Full Name: ____________________ __________ ________________________ / / Sex: Male Female First Middle Last Birthday

Email:____________________________________________________ Cell Phone: ( ) __________________________

Grade in School this Fall: _______ School Attending: ___________________ Connected on Facebook: Yes No

Baptized? Yes No Date: / / Profession of Faith (confirmation)? Yes No Date: / /

CHILDREN LIVING AT HOME:

Full Name: ____________________ __________ ________________________ / / Sex: Male Female First Middle Last Birthday

Email:____________________________________________________ Cell Phone: ( ) __________________________

Grade in School this Fall: _______ School Attending: ___________________ Connected on Facebook: Yes No

Baptized? Yes No Date: / / Profession of Faith (confirmation)? Yes No Date: / /

--------------------------------------------------------- Turn Over ---------------------------------------------------------------

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CHILDREN LIVING AT HOME:

Full Name: ____________________ __________ ________________________ / / Sex: Male Female First Middle Last Birthday

Email:____________________________________________________ Cell Phone: ( ) __________________________

Grade in School this Fall: _______ School Attending: ___________________ Connected on Facebook: Yes No

Baptized? Yes No Date: / / Profession of Faith (confirmation)? Yes No Date: / /

CHILDREN LIVING AT HOME:

Full Name: ____________________ __________ ________________________ / / Sex: Male Female First Middle Last Birthday

Email:____________________________________________________ Cell Phone: ( ) __________________________

Grade in School this Fall: _______ School Attending: ___________________ Connected on Facebook: Yes No

Baptized? Yes No Date: / / Profession of Faith (confirmation)? Yes No Date: / /

CHILDREN LIVING AT HOME:

Full Name: ____________________ __________ ________________________ / / Sex: Male Female First Middle Last Birthday

Email:____________________________________________________ Cell Phone: ( ) __________________________

Grade in School this Fall: _______ School Attending: ___________________ Connected on Facebook: Yes No

Baptized? Yes No Date: / / Profession of Faith (confirmation)? Yes No Date: / /

CHILDREN LIVING AT HOME:

Full Name: ____________________ __________ ________________________ / / Sex: Male Female First Middle Last Birthday

Email:____________________________________________________ Cell Phone: ( ) __________________________

Grade in School this Fall: _______ School Attending: ___________________ Connected on Facebook: Yes No

Baptized? Yes No Date: / / Profession of Faith (confirmation)? Yes No Date: / /

NOTES

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