The Disciple's Life

By Pastor Bill Clem

Listen to Pastor Bill's sermon (mp3) explaining the description of a disciple's life.

What kind of disciples are we making at Mars Hill Church? Effective meeting leaders? Savvy budget planners? Maybe even diligent Bible studiers? If our ministry worked exactly as it should, what would the lives of our people look like?

Kind of a sobering question, isn't it? Jesus commanded his disciples to make disciples:

And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matt. 28:18-20)

In essence, when everything Jesus had done on earth "worked," he left behind disciple-making disciples.

As we move into an accelerated stage of multiplying ministries throughout the distributed world of Mars Hill Church, it is more critical than ever that we keep our focus on Jesus' command to make disciples. Otherwise we will find ourselves developing systems and programs to manage crowds, when at our very core we desire to be a people transformed by Jesus calling our city to worship Jesus.

Some of the Mars Hill pastors, including myself, have spent the past few months trying to craft a clear picture of what it looks like to live as the kind of disciple Jesus speaks of. In developing this description, we were committed to three non-negotiables:

1. Jesus must be at the center. Disciple means "learner" or "follower." A disciple gets his identity not by the learning or the following but by who they are learning from or following. Our identity is a transformed identity in Jesus Christ.
2. The description must be biblical. We worked at trying to group the many commands and instructions of scripture into holistic expressions rather than a checklist of do's and don'ts.
3. The description must be relational. The disciple's life needs to be grounded in relationships rather than in impersonal behaviors or simply performance goals.

How can we come up with a description of a disciple's life that applies across an entire church—one with many services, campuses, age groups, and life stages? This is the challenge: to create a common target that we can aim for whether we're gathered as a whole, in a community cluster, in a specific ministry, or even with our immediate families.

Discipleship should transcend demographics and influence not only our individual lives, but also the manner in which we live as a church. Discipleship should affect everything from our church programming to our personal behavior. First and foremost, however, discipleship should start with Jesus—our identity in him and expressing that identity towards others.

That is the first of four areas where we challenge the people of Mars Hill Church to grow. We've identified these areas of pursuit as the sum of a disciple's life:

• As our gospel identity we acknowledge our "nothingness" without Christ—and our wholeness and uniqueness in Christ. We do this through prayer, confessing our sins, repentance, and listening to God through his Word, the Bible.
• With regard to gospel worship, we need to face the idols in our lives—things that challenge our very acceptance of Jesus as God—and realize that when we exalt God as his worshippers, we have positioned ourselves in the most dignifying of positions as humanly possible. We do this through accepting God's love, obeying him, and choosing his will above our own.
• In gospel community we must realize the balance between gifted serving and loving connection, in which some have the freedom to share their brokenness and others accept their responsibilities as the body of Christ. We do this through taking the time to meet with each other, risking our hearts with one another, and living lives of humble honesty.
• And finally, in gospel mission we realize that we serve a "sent" and "sending" God, who invites us to join him on mission, living out the gospel and bringing a redemptive presence to our culture. We do this by caring for non-Christians in practical ways and speaking the truth of the gospel in love.

In describing a disciple's life, we cannot emphasize enough the order of multiplication. This truly happens best when "like reproduces like," meaning churches reproduce churches, campuses reproduce campuses, community groups reproduce community groups, and disciples reproduce disciples. Jesus did not leave behind a disciple-making program; he left behind disciple-making disciples.

It is our hope that Mars Hill will make disciples through the transformed and transforming lives of its Christ-following disciples. As ministry leaders start to use description of a disciple's life to evaluate the rhythms of our programming, to challenge people to establish their own disciplines of followership, and to call for a deeper understanding of who we are in Christ, as expressed in worship, fellowship, and mission, we invite you to join a movement of disciple-making.

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About "The City"

By Pastor Zack Hubert

The Mars Hill Technology team serves the gospel by extending the reach of the proclaimed Word, and by deepening the Mars Hill communities that meet throughout our city. As a ministry of the church, we are incredibly concerned about the health of community—real community, not some online surrogate. Therefore, in an effort to cultivate our collective well being, and on behalf of the Technology team, I would like to invite you to join in an exciting new project.

It's called The City, and perhaps you've heard a few things about it already. For some, it will be a very natural way to stay connected with the communities you are already a part of (your community group, service group, campus, etc.). For others, it's going to be a bit of a stretch to learn and use. If you find you're in the latter camp, just ask for help and my team will happily serve you—as will your community group leader, service team lead, or a leader at your home campus.

The City is a website—a social networking site (people connecting to people). We've built and designed it from the ground up to foster community within Mars Hill Church. Every major design decision was passed through a scriptural filter. In fact, The City is a product of a prayer retreat during which I spent time in Matthew 5 following the Nehemiah series. On The City, your community will share its life together throughout the week, so that when you gather in person, the community will be enriched. Specifically, The City provides a venue for prayer, event planning, discussions, training, sharing of needs, and other such relations aspects of community.

The City is still being built, so we're asking you to be a builder with us. Unlike most websites you may use, The City is going to have areas where it breaks down, things that don't make sense yet. I understand this can be frustrating, but I encourage you to take it in stride, ask for help from others in your groups, and, most especially, submit the great ideas that you will have for making The City better (there's a place for feedback at the bottom of every page— look for it after you login). I'd also suggest that on your first visit you click through all the help pages. I've tried to walk through some of the basics of how the site works, and I pray this resource will be helpful to you.

Thank you again for partnering with us in this trailblazing effort.

Read more about The City and how you can join in the FAQ section of this website. The City is an online community for the people of Mars Hill Church, and is therefore accessible via invitation only. To request an invitation, talk to your group leader or sign up at your home campus.

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A Word on Our Doctrinal Statement from Pastor Mark Driscoll

The doctrinal statement of Mars Hill Church was first formulated prior to our public launch in 1996 when I was a new Christian and new pastor. That original doctrinal statement is still helpful for understanding our convictions and can be found here.

However, while our original doctrinal statement still reflects the core beliefs of our church, over the years our studies have clarified much of our thinking and have caused us to become more precise and devoted to some doctrines, which our original statement does not reflect. Our doctrinal convictions have not changed but rather have matured by God's grace.

Subsequently, we are working on updating our doctrinal statement as an elder team. I am also working with Dr. Gerry Breshears to write a book titled Doctrine, which will be based on a sermon series teaching our biblical convictions.

What helped precipitate this conviction for an improved doctrinal statement was my participation in the drafting of a confession of faith and philosophy of ministry as a member of The Gospel Coalition. That team included our leaders D. A. Carson and Tim Keller, along with such gifted Bible teachers as John Piper, Alistair Begg, Kent Hughes, Mark Dever, Ligon Duncan, Bryan Chapell, Crawford Loritts, Erwin Lutzer, James MacDonald, C. J. Mahaney, Ray Ortlund, and Phil Ryken, among others.

An updated and more robust Mars Hill Church doctrinal statement and the accompanying book will be published in early 2009. Until then, it is our hope that these two doctrinal statements are sufficient to clarify what we believe as a church.

For Jesus' Fame,

Pastor Mark Driscoll

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What is "the Mission"?

By Pastor Jamie Munson

Mission and vision. Missional. The mission of Mars Hill Church. Are you on mission?

If you've been around Mars Hill for any amount of time, you've likely heard someone talk about the mission. As we embark on the "Call to Mission" effort, we want to take this opportunity to answer the question: what is the mission?

In short, Mars Hill Church lives for Jesus as a city within the city-knowing culture, loving people, and seeing lives transformed to live for Jesus.

That's our mission, but "knowing culture" is not a self-explanatory concept, some may disagree on what "loving people" looks like, and "a city within the city" could paint a more elitist picture than intended. To simplify the whole concept, I could just tell you that it's all about Jesus (his name does appear twice in the mission statement), but that may not help much-especially if you don't really understand who Jesus is.

For clarity, definition, and unity, we submit to what the Bible has to say on these subjects. Scripture informs every aspect of our mission statement, and the imperatives of scripture supersede all man-made documents, statements, or initiatives we may develop. With that in mind, allow me to explain the mission of Mars Hill Church.

Jesus

Our mission begins and ends with Jesus because "in him all things hold together" and, as Jesus said, "Apart from me you can do nothing" (Col. 1:17; John 15:5). What's more, "all things were created through him and for him...And he is the head of the body, the church" (Col. 1:16, 18). Everything is his, especially the church.

The mission emanates from the person and work of Jesus Christ and his great commission (Matt. 28:18-20). He is the principal substance-the substance-critical to a more complete understanding of all secondary elements of our mission:

Where is "a city within the city"?

Christians ultimately belong to Jesus and his kingdom (Phil. 3:20). Within the earthly cities we inhabit, we are to represent a distinct community that lives differently than the culture at large (Matt. 20:25-28; John 17:15-16; Phil. 2:14-15). At the same time, we continue to live as a part of the city around us in order to exhibit humble love and effect gospel-grounded change from within (Jer. 29:7; Matt. 5:14).

What does "knowing culture" mean?

As Jesus, God entered human history and culture to demonstrate his love for us and teach us in ways we could better understand. As Christians, we are to do the same-live within the context of a culture and use its language, artifacts, and rituals to communicate the gospel. The Apostle Paul demonstrates this approach in Acts 17, using the art and idols of ancient Athens as tools for explaining Jesus to the philosophers of his day.

How should we "love people"?

The gospel of Jesus (Mark 1:14-15; 1 Cor. 15:1-11) carries profound implications for this temporal life (Phil. 4:4-7, 11-13), and represents all that matters in eternity (Luke 16:19-31; 1 Cor. 15:50-56; 2 Cor. 4:18). We love people by preaching the truth of this good news so that some might be saved (1 Cor. 9:22; Eph. 4:15). Through the empowering grace of this truth, we can also love people by participating in community, respecting each other as image-bearers of God, and caring for one another's physical needs. Apart from Jesus-love himself (Rom. 5:8; 1 John 4:7-8)-all efforts to love are spoiled by selfish motives, broken hearts, or strained relationships. We love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19), and we love by his example (John 15:13).

Lives transformed

Being a Christian does not translate into comfort, wealth, and happiness in this life. In fact, when it comes to present circumstances, the Bible often admonishes us to expect the opposite (John 16:33). Gospel transformation starts on the inside with our heart and permeates throughout our lives, purifying relationships, desires, motives, as we are reconciled to finally live at peace with our Creator (Ez. 36:26-27; 2 Cor. 5:17; Col. 1:21-22). Only the Holy Spirit can bring about this profound transformation-an act of new creation-but it is a tremendous joy to watch him perform his saving work.

This work of God is why we live and what we live to see. From the pastors, to the ushers, to the people holding the goblets during communion, to the rockers on stage, to the techies building our website-Jesus is the mission. We live for him.

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Mars Hill Church Member Covenant

Introduction

"...Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." -Romans 12: 1-2

As Christians, we are members of God's household (Eph. 2:19) called to function, participate, and minister in a particular place within the body of Christ. A healthy body requires that each member do its part well. A healthy church requires the same: members who are sacrificially committed and well-equipped to do the works of service that God has prepared in advance for us to do (Eph. 2:10; 4:12). Mars Hill Church holds its members in high regard; we expect them to lead as missionaries of the gospel to the culture. God, in his sovereignty, placed us in this city, among these people, in this century, for a reason (Acts 17:26-27).

"For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them..." -Romans 12: 3-8

Being a member of Mars Hill Church is really about being part of a family. All members are disciples of Jesus, unified by their identity in Christ. This unity is expressed in the way they collaborate in loving God, loving fellow Christians, and loving non-Christians. Members who enter into a covenant with their local church are called to a higher degree of responsibility and service. At the same time, the elders and deacons are covenanted to assist members first and foremost, to love and lead, provide counsel and aid, and pray for, teach, and guide them.

"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace..." -1 Peter 4: 8-10

What is a covenant?

A covenant is a promise by which we obligate ourselves to one another in such a way that the obligation of one party is not dependent on the faithfulness of the other (Ezek. 20:44; 36:22; Ps. 76:11; Hos. 2:19-20; 3:1; 2 Tim. 2:13). The Mars Hill Church covenant includes a statement of faith, a statement of biblical doctrine, the obligations of Mars Hill Church to its members, and the obligations of members to Mars Hill Church. Though the covenant does define the relationship between members and the church, it is first and foremost a promise made to God as a commitment to his glory and his bride, the church (Eph. 5:25).

Statement of faith

• I am a Christian saved from the eternal wrath of God by faith in Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, through his death and resurrection, by which I am assured of eternal life (John 3:16-18; Rom. 3:23-26).
• I believe Jesus Christ is exactly who he claimed to be (Isa. 5:6; Matt. 26:64; Mark 14:62; Luke 22:70; John 4:25-26; 6:29; 8:58; 11:25-27; 14:6-7; 15:5).
• I have repented of my sins and have been made a new creation in Christ (1 John 1:9; 2 Cor. 5:17).
• In obedience to Scripture, I have been baptized to personally identify with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, and to publicly demonstrate my commitment as a disciple of Jesus (Col. 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21).

Statement of biblical doctrine

• I agree with the core beliefs of Mars Hill Church, which are founded upon historic creeds (e.g. Apostles' Creed and Nicene Creed) and expressed in the doctrinal statement.
• I understand the importance of submission to church leadership and will be diligent to preserve unity and peace; I will adhere to Mars Hill Church's position on primary theological issues, and I will not be divisive over secondary issues (Eph. 4:1-3; Heb. 13:7, 17).
• I agree that the sixty-six books of the Bible are the ultimate doctrinal authority on all matters (Is. 55:11; 1 Cor. 15:3-4; 2 Tim. 3:15-16; Heb. 4:12).
• I understand that Mars Hill Church doctrine is also communicated and specified through various channels, such as sermons, published materials, and other writings distributed by Mars Hill Church.

Obligation of Mars Hill Church to its members

• We covenant that your elders and deacons will meet the criteria assigned to them in the Scriptures (1 Tim. 3:1-13; 5:17-22; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-4).
• We covenant to seek God's will for our church community to the best of our ability as we study the Scriptures and follow the Spirit (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-5).
• We covenant to care for you and seek your growth as a disciple of Christ, in part by equipping you for service (Eph. 4:11-13) and praying for you regularly, particularly when you are sick (James 5:14).
• We covenant to provide teaching and counsel from the whole of Scripture (Acts 20:27-28; Gal. 6:6; 1 Tim. 5:17-18).
• We covenant to be on guard against false teachers (Acts 20:28-31).
• We covenant to exercise church discipline when necessary (Matt. 18:15-20; 1 Cor. 5; Gal. 6:1).
• We covenant to set an example and join you in fulfilling the duties of church members (1 Cor. 11:1; Phil. 3:17; 1 Tim. 4:12).

My obligation to Mars Hill Church as a member

• I have read and understood the Mars Hill doctrinal statement and will not be divisive to its teaching. I also understand the importance of submission to church leadership and will be diligent to preserve unity and peace (Eph. 4:1-3; Heb. 13:7, 17).
• I covenant to submit to the authority of Scripture as the final arbiter on all issues (Ps. 119; 2 Tim. 3:16-17).
• I will maintain a close relationship with the Lord Jesus through regular Bible reading, prayer, fellowship, and practice of spiritual disciplines. My relationship will be evident through my participation in weekly worship services, communion, Mars Hill community, service, and a life that glorifies Jesus (Ps. 105:1-2; Ps. 119:97; Acts 2:42-47; Heb. 10:23-25; 2 Peter 1:3).
• I will steward the resources God has given me, including my time, talents, and treasure (Prov. 3:9-10; Rom. 12:1-2; Gal. 5:22-26; Eph. 4:1-16; 5:15-18). This includes regular financial giving, service, and participation in community that is sacrificial, cheerful, and voluntary (Rom. 12:1-8; 2 Cor. 8-9; 12:7-31; 1 Peter 4:10-11).
• I will not function in leadership or as a member in another church family (Heb. 13:17).
• I covenant to submit to discipline by God through his Holy Spirit, to follow biblical procedures for church discipline in my relationships with brothers and sisters in Christ, to submit to righteous discipline when approached biblically by brothers and sisters in Christ, and to submit to discipline by church leadership if the need should ever arise (Ps. 141:5; Matt. 18:15-17; 1 Cor. 5:1-5; 2 Cor. 2:5-8; Gal. 6:1-5, 8; 1 Tim. 5:20; 2 Tim. 2:25; Titus 1:9; 3:10-11; Heb. 12:5-11; Rev. 2:5-7, 14-25).
• I agree, by God's grace, to walk in holiness as an act of worship to Jesus Christ, who has saved me from my sin that I could live a new life (2 Cor. 5:17); I will practice complete chastity before marriage and complete fidelity in heterosexual marriage by abstaining from practices such as cohabitation, pornography, and fornication (Job 31:1; Prov. 5; Rom. 13:12-14; 1 Cor. 6:9-7:16; Heb. 13:4); I will refrain from illegal drug use, drunkenness, and other sinful behavior as the Bible, my pastors, and my conscience dictate (1 Cor. 8:7; Gal. 5:19-21). Should I sin in such a manner, I agree to confess my sins to Christian brothers or sisters and seek help to put my sin to death (Rom. 8:13; Col. 3:5; 1 John 1:6-10).

My commitment to the mission of Mars Hill Church

Mars Hill Mission Statement: Mars Hill Church lives for Jesus as a city within the city: knowing culture, loving people, and seeing lives transformed to live for Jesus.

I have read the mission statement of Mars Hill Church and commit to live out this mission as a diligent, faithful disciple of Jesus, that my identity would be in him, my worship would be for him, my fellowship would be through him, and my interaction with the culture would be for his glory.

I understand that this covenant obligates me to the members of Mars Hill and is an acknowledgement of my submission to the elders of the church. I accept the responsibility to notify Mars Hill leadership if at any time I can no longer commit to this covenant, or if I have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding Mars Hill Church.

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MEMBERSHIP & MISSION

I hear "mission" a lot–on mission, call to mission, mission and vision–what is the "mission"?

Our mission statement is: Mars Hill Church lives for Jesus as a city within the city–knowing culture, loving people, and seeing lives transformed to live for Jesus. Read a more detailed explanation of this mission above in "What is the Mission?".

What does it mean to be "on mission"?

To be "on mission" means that you're a Christian, that you're identity is founded in Jesus, and that you embody the Mars Hill mission statement by living a life of worship to Jesus, a life of fellowship with other Christians, and a life of mission to non-Christians (Matt. 28:18-20). These expressions are only possible with an identity established in Jesus. Read "Description of a Disciple's Life" to learn more about what it means to be on mission.

Why does Mars Hill have "members"?

Mars Hill is a church, and the Bible uses the metaphor of a body to describe the church: "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ" (1 Cor. 12:12). It's a beautiful illustration of how we're each created to serve different functions, we need everyone to function in order to be a healthy body, and all of us as separate parts find purpose and unity under Jesus, "the head of the body, the church" (Col. 1:18). Members are the church (Eph. 2:19-22).

What's the difference between a member and somebody who just goes to Mars Hill every week?

At Mars Hill, we make a distinction between "members" and "guests." If you're not a member, then you're technically a guest that remains to a certain extent separated from our church family, and separated from the maturity, protection, accountability, and care that comes with being an active part of the church.

Members participate as the church: sacrificing time, talents, and treasure; committing to the care and community of their fellow members; and submitting to the authority God has established to lead our congregation. Non-members tend not to contribute as much. This is acceptable for those who really are guests, such as non-Christians and visitors, but Christians who consume rather than commit to a local church do a disservice to Jesus' body (the church) and themselves.

Why should I become a member?

The church of Mars Hill is a family, adopted by God (Gal. 4:6-7; Eph. 1:5). We care for each other, pray for each other, and serve together. If you're already a Christian, if you're already in some form of Mars Hill community, if you're already giving of your finances and your time, then you’re already fulfilling some functions of a member. Without making an official commitment, however, we cannot provide the same level of pastoral care and community support, in part because we may not know who you are, and in part because the Bible requires that we take care of our family first (Eph. 2:19 cf. Gal. 6:10).

If you're not a Christian, don't worry about membership until you've been reconciled to God though Jesus. If you are a Christian who has spent a lot of time at Mars Hill, however, search your heart and identify your hesitation. There may be valid reasons to abstain from Mars Hill membership. But we're rebels by our cursed nature; if you bristle at the very idea of becoming a member, ask yourself why–and don't hesitate to speak with a leader at your campus.

What are the benefits of being a member?

Scripture calls us a body, a family, a household–being a Christian is not a solo effort. Jesus works through the church (Eph. 2:10), the church is Jesus' body (1 Cor. 12:27), and apart from Jesus, you can do nothing (John 15).

This isn't Blockbuster, it isn't a country club, and it isn't 24-Hour Fitness. Again, members are the church. "In love [God] predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ...So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God" (Eph. 1:4-5; 2:19).

You don't join for the perks–although members do enjoy greater access to The City, and certain volunteer opportunities are only available to members. The benefit is that we get to worship Jesus together, serve in His kingdom, and be children of God! We enjoy the guidance that his Word provides, and, when sin comes between us, we enjoy the reconciliation Jesus' blood provides.

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BECOMING A MEMBER

How do I become a member?

The first step is to make yourself known, by joining either a community group, a serving group, or The City–Mars Hill Church's online network. From there, you'll need to listen to the Doctrine sermon series and answer some basic comprehension questions as you go along (either in your community group or online). Once you've completed this curriculum, you'll be asked to sign a member covenant and meet with your community group leader or another church leader for an interview. When your interviewer or campus pastor affirms your status as a member, it's official. Read a more detailed explanation of the member process, above in "The Membership Process".

What is "Doctrine"?

The Doctrine series replaces the Gospel Class as Mars Hill Church's foundational curriculum for explaining Christian truth and the ministry of Mars Hill. The Gospel Class curriculum was written more than ten years ago, and though our theological convictions have not changed since Mars Hill began, they have matured. It is important that our essential instruction reflect that growth. The Doctrine series provides a more comprehensive understanding by using the storyline of the Bible to better communicate the most important components of our identity. To learn more about the Doctrine series and the history of Mars Hill's membership class, read Pastor Mark's introduction to the new sermon series.

I've already attended the Gospel Class–do I have to start all over with Doctrine?

People who are already members of Mars Hill Church do not have to fulfill the exact same requirements as those who become members following the completion of the Doctrine series (see below for details on membership renewal). The Doctrine class is different than the Gospel Class, however, and by covering the material as part of a Sunday series, it is our hope that all of Mars Hill Church–from those who just walked in the door to those who have been with us since the beginning–will hear and receive this common teaching, and that it will align us and reinvigorate us as one body united by the true doctrine of faith and life in Jesus Christ.

Specifically, what are the obligations of being a member of Mars Hill Church?

The member covenant details what Mars Hill Church's obligations are to its members, and what an individual member's obligations are to the rest of the church.

What is a "member covenant"? Can I read it before I become a member?

A covenant is a promise by which we obligate ourselves to one another in such a way that the obligation of one party is not dependent on the faithfulness of the other (Ezek. 20:44; 36:22; Ps. 76:11; Hos. 2:19-20; 3:1; 2 Tim. 2:13). A "covenant" is what we would use to describe the vows between a husband and his wife, and between God and his people. We ask our members to sign a covenant so that we know that prospective members understand what it means to be a part of the church. The member covenant is not a legal document or some sort of cultic rite. It is an affirmation, an agreement, and a source of accountability for both the church and its individual members. Read the Mars Hill Church Member Covenant above for more information.

Do members have to be baptized?

Since Jesus commands that all of his disciples be baptized, baptism is a requirement for all Mars Hill members (Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38; 10:48; 1 Peter 3:21). If you've already been baptized since you became a Christian, you don't need to get re-baptized. Mars Hill performs believer baptisms only, which means we don't baptize infants. If a prospective member was baptized as a baby and does not want to be re-baptized due to reasons of conscience, that is acceptable as long as this decision remains personal and does not become a divisive issue within the church. If you have more questions about baptism specifically, please speak with a pastor or other leader at your campus.

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MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

How can I renew my member status?

On April 21–same day as the All-Member Meeting–existing members should have received an email with a link to The City to begin the renewal process (if you did not receive this email, please contact someone at your campus). The renewal process will require members to complete a personal questionnaire, make a giving pledge, and agree to the updated member covenant. Since renewal occurs entirely online in The City, those without a computer will need to complete the process at one of our campuses on a Sunday. Members can join The City at any time by receiving an invitation from their group leader, or by signing up at one of the kiosks at their home campus. The deadline for member renewal is July 31, 2008.

I'm already a faithful member. Why do I have to renew my membership?

Renewal is necessary for a number of reasons:

• We have improved our databases and provided a brand-new platform (The City) where members can interact. In order for these new systems to work in concert, we need everyone to sign up again.
• Member renewal is not a new concept. Every year we ask members to renew their commitment to the church, in part to ensure that those who stick around are truly with us. This year, we've also updated our member covenant and curriculum (the Doctrine series), so we want to give our members a chance to review and reflect on this new information and respond as God leads.
• Mars Hill Church is no longer centralized in a single location. In order to improve church health and better serve our region, each of our campuses needs a body of believers committed to that specific location. Many members have already joined a campus, but the renewal process will ensure that everyone is connected to a local congregation–for the good of their own spiritual health, the health of the church, and the health of the mission.

Some of the steps in the renewal process may seem redundant–especially to those who have recently completed the membership process. We appreciate your grace and patience during this time of transition.

Will I be a member of Mars Hill Church, or a member of a specific campus?

The elders of Mars Hill are always working to improve the way we operate as one church in many locations; certain functions are predominantly centralized (such as primary preaching, budget, and technology) while other functions are the responsibility of the campuses (such as community groups, pastoral care, and local mission). To best accomplish mission and provide care, membership is now decentralized. While the process and foundation is unified, everyone (new and renewing members alike) is now a member of a specific campus of Mars Hill Church.

What if I don't want to commit to a specific campus?

We encourage all of our members to visit other campuses from time to time in order to connect with church family and see the bigger picture of what God is doing through Mars Hill, but those who refuse to settle down and dig in at a particular campus do a disservice to the body, the mission, and themselves. Each campus is a body that needs committed members in order to function. Each campus is on a local mission and needs local members in order to make progress. And each campus is responsible for the care of its members. If you don't commit to a campus, you are separated from the body, vulnerable, and alone.

The first time I became a member, it took eight months for the paperwork to be processed–am I going to have to go through that again?

The renewal process is fully automated and integrated into The City–which makes everything run smoother than ever. The entire process shouldn't take more than thirty minutes to an hour. Since our old databases are, well...old, there is a good chance that some members may have to deal with more headaches during the renewal process than others. For most, however, it should be a breeze. If you're the exception, please be patient–and please communicate with people in your community group and at your campus so we can help you through the process.

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THE CITY, ALL-MEMBER MEETING, ETC.

UPDATE:

A summary of the All-Member Meeting (including the financial information discussed and some video content) is now available on The City in the Mars Hill group. For campus-specific details, check your home campus' group on The City and the campus blogs. Also, you can read reflections and recaps from various pastors here on Mission and Vision blog.

What is The City?

The City is an online network designed by the Technology department of Mars Hill Church. It's virtual community, grounded in true community, and inspired by principles found in the Bible. Read more about The City on the Tech Team blog "Codex"

Do I have to be a member of Mars Hill Church to access The City?

No, but you'll notice that the site is indeed more useful for people who are officially connected to the church as members and/or participants in a community group or service group. It is our desire that people interested enough in Mars Hill to get involved and join The City will also be committed to the church and in pursuit of membership. In the meantime, anyone can join The City by requesting an invitation at their home campus's designated kiosk (it doesn't take much to get an invitation–all you need is an email address).

What's happening at the All-Member Meeting on April 21?

There's a pretty full agenda for April 21, when each campus will host members for this church-wide meeting. The evening will feature music, a video presentation about the mission of Mars Hill Church and a live message from your campus pastor about the local mission, discipleship, and other topics related to the current season of our church. Children are welcome (check your campus for details), so it's a night for the whole family to enjoy. On the evening of April 21, all members will receive an email invitation to begin the membership renewal process in The City. Members can join The City prior to April 21 (in fact, we encourage early adoption), but all members will have to join The City after April 21 if they wish to renew.

What if I can't go to the All-Member meeting?

Fear not. While the all-member meeting is designed to be a communal experience—even a milestone of sorts in the history of our church—the information covered at the meeting will be available for those who cannot attend. It will be your responsibility, however, to make sure you are informed and get your questions answered. Start by reading the content on this website, join The City, and make sure you keep up with your campus's website for further information. Also, it would be a good idea to ask another member, or one of the leaders at your campus, to fill you in after the meeting.

Can I attend the All-Member Meeting even though I'm not a member?

The All-Member Meeting is strictly a church-family event—but we realize that there may be many who want to join our family but for whatever reason will not be able to do so officially until sometime after April 21. As such, we're inviting all of our members and anyone who is seriously considering joining the Mars Hill family.

What's the day of prayer and fasting about?

On April 22, we're asking the people of Mars Hill Church to dedicate themselves to Jesus through prayer and fasting (all who are medically and physically able). It's a day for worship, gratitude, repentance, and reflection. Some campuses have scheduled special gatherings for this day, but if your campus doesn't have anything planned, you may still choose to spend some time with your community group or your immediate family for prayer, discussion, singing, etc.

I have more questions related to membership—who should I ask?

The best place to start is your community group leader, but you could also ask another leader at your campus or email your campus (e.g., eastside@marshillchurch.org; wedgwood@marshillchurch.org, etc.). Also, we invite you to join us in our church-wide day of prayer and fasting on April 22. If you think you'd like to be a member but you're just not sure, this day represents a good opportunity to talk about the matter with Jesus. It's all about him anyway.

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