East Coast Believers Church

It is our desire to provide a way to go beyond simply attending a church, to becoming a part of a family, naturally and spiritually. We believe it is important for every believer to have a place where they can grow and truly belong.

Whether you have attended ECBC for several years or several weeks, we hope you consider taking this opportunity to come see what membership at ECBC is all about!

ECBC will provide childcare for these sessions and for the Membership Dinner that will follow. We ask that you register yourself and any children attending the two sessions and the dinner at ECBC’s Info Booth.

Five Reasons for Church Membership

1. Roots Guarantee Fruit
   Psalms 92:13 KJV says, “Planted in the house of the LORD, They will flourish in the courts of our God.” True growth and development are the result of being planted in a good local church. Individuals who belong to a local church experience the positive power that comes from being committed to a family of believers. Membership is a formal way to show your commitment to the church and to the vision God has given ECBC.
   (see Phil 2:1-4, Rom. 15:5-6, 1 Cor. 1:10, Gal. 5:13; Eph 4:32; 5:21; Heb. 10:25; James 5:16)

2. Experience the care of a pastor in your life.
   When a person is born again, he or she becomes a part of the family of God. Jesus the Chief Shepherd (Pastor) has assigned pastors or shepherds to local churches to watch over and take care of His sheep. Jesus said a good shepherd is responsible to know his sheep by name. Jesus tells the story of one Shepherd who left the 99 sheep (notice the sheep were counted) and he went out looking for one lost sheep. Without some type of membership, how would a Pastor know his sheep, their names, or who was missing? Jesus expects you to be counted as a member of a local “flock”. According to Eph. 4:12 Pastors or Shepherds help prepare God’s people for works of service, spiritual maturity, and equip them to walk in the richest measure of God’s presence and plan for their lives.
   (see Eph.4:11-12; 1 Pet. 5:1-4; Acts 20:28; John 10:1-5)

3. Membership is part of God’s original plan.
   The Bible paints a picture of God’s original plan for church membership in 1 Corinthians 12:27. It states that “ye are the Body of Christ and members in particular”. The book of Acts provides us with several different examples of what a local church should look like. This group of believers met together on a regular basis to worship, pray and receive instruction from the Word of God. The Early Church had committed members who were unified in heart and mind and as a result the church saw miracles, signs, wonders and many salvations. The Bible clearly states God’s plan for growth and encouragement and reminds us to make it a priority to stay connected with other believers. Hebrews 10:25 AMP says, “Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.” The local church was designed by God to be a place for the believer to be strengthened, empowered, encouraged, inspired and instructed to ensure victory and success in life.
   (see Acts 1:14;2:41-42;4:4,23; 5:13-14; Heb. 10:24)

4. God speaks to churches.
   Each believer has the responsibility to pray and study the Word of God daily and to hear and follow the Spirit of God personally. Jesus said “He that hath an ear, let hear what the Spirit saith to the churches”. Notice Jesus didn’t say, “what the Spirit saith to the isolated Christian.” Notice the word “churches” is plural, denoting local churches! When it comes to God’s plan for the earth and for His church, God is revealing that plan to those whom He has called to lead the Body of Christ. The Holy Spirit inspired the writers of the New Testament to write letters to local churches where believers gathered. Church membership helps you to stay in the flow of what the “Spirit is saying to the churches”.
   (see Rev.2:7,11,17,29, 3:6)

5. Church membership provides spiritual safety.
   Church members have a spiritual covering and accountability system in place. This covering provides spiritual protection and boundaries that will protect you from the plan of the enemy. Hebrews 13:17 AMP says, “Obey your spiritual leaders and submit to them [continually recognizing their authority over you], for they are constantly keeping watch over your souls and guarding your spiritual welfare, as men who will have to render an account [of their trust]". Satan’s number one strategy is to isolate Christians from one another in an attempt to destroy their faith and render them ineffective. As a member of a local church you can be confident that your Pastors are going to teach the Word of God, be led by the Spirit of God, and pray for you on a regular basis.