A Place to Call Home - Membership at ROL

At home in the River

Just as a plant will reach its full height when rooted in a healthy garden, and a child will reach its full potential within the care of a healthy family, so a believer in Jesus will reach their full stature when planted in a healthy local church.  This is God the Father’s design; His way of things.  Hence, it is critical that everyone who wishes to follow Jesus find a healthy local church that they can call home.

When we speak about the church as a spiritual home, we mean much the same things as you do when you speak about your physical home & family:

• A people to grow in faith with, to journey through life with, to learn with and be nourished alongside
• A people whom we can seek to know deeply and allow to know us as deeply; to drop our guard with; to be our truest selves with
• A people to laugh heartily with, consult with, sorrow with, look out for, and make mistakes before
• A people to whom we can show commitment and continuity, and not loose attachment
• A people who will hold us accountable to be all that Christ has destined us to be; who will help us to walk worthy of Him; who will tell us when we’re off track
• A people to reach out with, to make my contribution with, to remind me what it is all about and keep me others-centered
• A people who will act like continuous fuel to the fire of my spiritual passion
• I have made the effort to know where these people have come from, where they are going, the beliefs they hold, the values they cherish, the vision they are pursing, the mission they are fulfilling, and said ‘count me in!’

At River of Life, the way that we say: 'I have decided to make this my new church home.  I understand and agree to all that is meant by ‘home’ here at ROL.  I’m ready to take my place!',  is by becoming members.  Whatever 'membership' may mean in other locations, this is what it means here. When people become members here it leaves us in no doubt where they stand and what they want us to expect of them. Due to our care for this congregation, and the integrity of its mission, we will only give ongoing spiritual responsibility to those who have made this commitment.

Therefore, if you have –

• Decided that you would like to make ROL your church home,

Please contact the office today and register for the next Invitation to Community Session.

In the 5 Invitation to Community Sessions, you will –

• Meet in a smaller setting to connect with a group of other people who are new to ROL and at least 2 other sponsors
• Have an opportunity to experience and build a safe and God-focused community
• Take time over the 4 - 6 weeks to reflect on your journey with God and to hear from Him about your next steps
• Learn about the history, DNA and vision of ROL
• Receive information and connection to ROL programs and services
• Complete and optional membership class as the concluding session
• Receive the ROL ‘Home Church Commitment’

Upon completing the Invitation to Community Sessions:

• New applicants for membership will be approved by the elders.
• As a new member you will be informally introduced to everyone at a Sunday service
• You will be given a file folder, and a church directory. 
• Join with your new church family towards ‘Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.’