Membership
Introduction

Thank you for taking time to consider a commitment to membership at the Southport Church of Christ.

The greatest commitment that anybody can make is to receive Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord and know the blessing of forgiveness, the gift of eternal life and becoming part of the body of Christ. This Body of Christ is called the 'Church Universal', which in invisible and immeasurable. Membership into this invisible Church is gained when personal faith is exercised in receiving Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord.
 
The Church

We, at Southport Church of Christ recognise, the truth of the 'Church Universal', and we welcome all Christians as being members of Christ's Body, knowing that we are 'all one in Christ Jesus'.

We also recognise the truth of the 'local church', where Christians in a given locality meet together in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, under His Headship, following the guidelines of the New Testament, establishing an 'ekklesia', a 'called out' assembly of Christian people.

The local church is to be, in principle, a replica, a reflection of the 'Church Universal'.

God Ordained

The local church, along with the family and government, are the only three institutions that are ordained by God. These have been instituted for the care, growth, protection, welfare and well being of the individual and the whole.

While we cannot say to anyone that it is God's will that they belong to a particular local church, we can say that every Christian should be a member of a local church.

While requirements for formal membership will vary from church to church, membership in a local church is important. It brings with it benefits and responsibilities. It allows you to be served and to serve. It gives the opportunity to be involved in the decision-making processes of the church as well as leadership responsibilities. It provides for accountability - accountability to the Word of God and its authority, which is to be used for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness.

While not all members of the 'Church Universal' are associated with a local church, and not all members of local churches are members of the 'Church Universal', each individual has a responsibility to seek out a local church to which they can be committed. While no local church is perfect, that should not be a reason for not committing yourself to membership in a local church, which holds to the important fundamentals of the faith in belief and practice.

It is important to understand the belief system of a local church and its philosophy of ministry. With this in mind, we present an overview of Southport Church of Christ.