MEMBERSHIP

What is Membership?

Membership is not about preferred parking or a reserved seat! Membership is about choosing to be part of the Pathways Church family and making a difference in serving others. In membership class, you’ll learn about the history, vision, and mission of Watts Chapel. 

Our idea of Membership is more along the lines of “ownership”. Members belong to something, while owners take responsibility to see something grow and be the best it can be! We believe that every Christian should belong to a local church and take ownership of that Church. We’d love for you to join us!

One Mission & Goal

“ I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.”
– 1 Corinthians 1:10

Why is Membership Important?

The Bible teaches us that the local church is a vital part of God's plan for His people. When you become a member of Watts Chapel, you are committing not only to God but also to a community of believers who will support you in your spiritual growth, and whom you will support in return. Here are four biblical reasons why church membership is important:

1. A Biblical Foundation: Christ’s Commitment to His Church

Membership is rooted in the example of Christ’s love and commitment to the Church. Ephesians 5:25 says, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it.” Just as Christ gave Himself for the church, so we, as members, are called to give ourselves to the church—to love, serve, and protect it. Church membership reflects this deep, sacrificial commitment to God's family.

2. A Cultural Responsibility: Countering a “Me-First” Mentality

In a world where commitment is often undervalued, church membership is an act of selflessness. We live in a culture that emphasizes individualism, but the church calls us to live differently. Rather than asking “What can the church do for me?” we ask, “How can I serve God’s church?” Membership is a way of saying that we are committed to something bigger than ourselves—a local expression of God’s Kingdom.

3. A Practical Benefit: Defining Our Christian Family

Being a member of a church means being part of a family—God’s family. As a member of Watts Chapel, you are joining a team of believers who can count on each other for support, encouragement, and accountability. Membership helps define the relationships in the church and makes it clear who is committed to the mission of the church. In times of trial or celebration, your church family is there for you, and you are there for them.

4. A Personal Opportunity: Spiritual Growth in Community

Christianity is not a solo journey. The New Testament emphasizes the importance of accountability, teaching us that we grow best when we are connected to a local church. Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is.” Church membership gives you the opportunity to grow spiritually by learning, serving, and being held accountable in the context of a loving church family.

How Do I Become a Member?

At Watts Chapel, we welcome new members in three main ways:

1. By Conversion – A personal decision to trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, followed by baptism and a public commitment to the church.
   
   

2. By Letter from Another Church of Like Faith – If you are coming from another church with similar beliefs, we ask that you be baptized as a sign of your faith before joining.
   
   

3. By Statement of Faith – If church letters are unavailable, we accept your personal testimony of faith and baptism as evidence of your commitment to Christ.
   
   

Once you’ve expressed an interest in membership, you’ll be invited to participate in a Membership Class where we will walk through the mission, vision, and beliefs of Watts Chapel, as well as the responsibilities of being a member.

What Does Membership Mean for Me?

As a member of Watts Chapel, you are committing to live out the following biblical responsibilities:

1. Protect the Unity of the Church

• Act in love toward others

• Avoid gossip and division

• Submit to Spirit-led leadership

Romans 15:5 encourages us, "Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus." We are called to preserve unity in the body of Christ through love, respect, and humility.

2. Share in the Responsibility of the Church

• Pray for the growth of the church

• Invite others to join us

• Welcome new visitors and members with open arms

Romans 15:7 says, "Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us, to the glory of God." Church membership means being an active part of the church’s mission to reach the lost and support its members.

3. Serve the Ministry of the Church

• Discover and use your spiritual gifts

• Be equipped for service through teaching and training

• Develop a servant’s heart, following Christ’s example

1 Peter 4:10 challenges us: "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." Membership involves serving the church and the community through our unique gifts and talents.

4. Support the Testimony of the Church

• Attend faithfully

• Live a godly life as an example to others

• Give generously to support the church’s mission

Hebrews 10:25 reminds us, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another." Your attendance, lifestyle, and financial giving are ways you actively support the testimony of Christ through the church.