Membership Privileges

This coming weekend we'll have our Beginnings Class at CCR. Attending it is a requirement to become a CCR member.

Some of you may be asking why it is such a big deal to become a church member. After all, theologically once we believe in Jesus we are part of the universal church for which Christ gave his blood. I agree absolutely with you. All that is required to be a "true church member" is to believe in Jesus' resurrection and submit to his Lordship. Yet, it this process of Lordship where things get tricky. We human beings are by nature stubborn and independent. How many times have you said or heard the phrase, "I don't want anyone telling me what to do." Great we all feel that way. However, what happens to children, employees, or nations with no order? It's unacceptable chaos. We all know that authentic life requires submission and community. Thus a way that we submit to the Lordship of Jesus is to become part of local bodies of His universal church. Only when we live in a committed community with others can we continue on the path of growing in our relationship with Jesus.

A few months ago, some of us studied Rick Warren's, Purpose Driven Life; and Rick made the point that according to Paul, Jesus' Leading First Century Church Planting Pastor it is impossible to be an "unchurched Christian." It seems that Paul should know what he is writing about so even in the modernity of today, if we want to grow as disciples of Jesus we need to be committed to a local body of believers.

At CCR we want us all to be united in vision and purpose. Also, we want us all to be growing and pulling in the same direction. If you have another church home please stay there, but if you are exploring and seeking we invite you to journey with us.

This weekend's Beginning Class will happen at 2 times. One will be Saturday, 6 September from 1 to 5. The other will be after our worship this Sunday, 7 September. Please feel free to attend the class at your convenience. In the Beginnings Class we'll review the core parts of our faith and explain the CCR vision so that you can better understand where we are going.

Hope to see many of you this weekend.

God bless,

Dave