2. What is your idea of a Church?
A church is far
more just a
building.
It is a collection of
people who share in
God's love and serve
God together.
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What does it mean to be a
Church?
It means that you worship
regularly, and serve God
and other members of
your community
responsibly and faithfully.
It also means giving your
time, talent and money
church's mission in your
community throughout the
world
4. Why is it
important to be
active in your
Church
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Because the
church is people,
including you!
The church is the
combined life of
all who believe
that Jesus Christ
is Savior
Because the
church needs you!
As a follower of
Christ , you a are
called to let your
faith and your
faith and your
good works bring
light and love to
the world
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Being an active church member
helps strengthen your
commitment.
In order to better follow Christ, it's
important to stay committed to
your faith and your fellow
Christians. By being an active
member of the church, you
strengthen your bond with both
Christ and other church members,
as well as potential members.
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Being active in your church helps
you grow as a person.
Through active church membership, you'll have
the opportunity to share in Christ's love with
others. The church will help you:
• come to better understand yourself as you
continue to learn, grow and mature as a
Christian
• base your actions and goals on the guidance,
support and inspiration that Christ's teachings
and the church provide
• work with others in an atmosphere of caring,
giving and support.
• "Do your best to present yourself to God as one
approved by him, a worker who has no need to
be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of
truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)
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Church provides a sense of
belonging and fellowship.
Church members share a common
heritage and centuries of history
and tradition. When Christians
worship and work together, they
unite to share in the love, hope and
strength that comes from serving
God. This helps:
enrich your relationships by sharing
the joy of Christ's love with other
church members make you feel the
joy of being a part of—and
contributing to—a faith community.
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Active church
membership can
give you a sense of
fulfillment.
As a Christian, you
are participating in
a faith community
with a special
mission and
purpose—to
minister to other
church members
and to those in
need.
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Sharing your unique gifts
helps you—and your
church—grow.
Whether it be teaching,
working with our hands or
providing comfort to others,
each of us has something to
offer.
Church provides an outlet for
you to use your gifts. "Like
good stewards of the manifold
grace of God, serve one
another with whatever gift
each of you has received." (1
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Being active in your church is an opportunity
to serve others.
Christ "came not to be served but to serve."
(Matthew 20:28)
Serving others through the church shows
your love for Christ. You can serve others by:
• giving your time to those in need (for
example, by visiting the ill or elderly or
participating in food and clothing drives)
giving money and goods to help those in
need and to further the church's mission
using your talents and skills to help with
church operations (for example, help with
bookkeeping or help with repairs around
the church)
• spreading God's words and love through
your words and actions.
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You can help fulfill
Christ's mission in the
world.
The church provides
knowledge and guidance,
and also helps translate
Christ's examples into
modern life. By using
these as guides, you can
strive to live your life as
Jesus would.
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Active church
membership can help
nurture children.
Church helps provide moral
guidance for children living
in a fast-paced and,
oftentimes, confusing world.
Christ's teachings are a
source of love, peace, honesty
and acceptance.
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Being active in your church helps
put your faith into action.
The church is a living, growing sign of
Christ's presence in the world. In order to
serve God, you and other members of the
church translate your faith into actions.
These actions may include:
Evangelizing, worship programs, social
ministry, family ministry, mission projects
leadership and counseling community
service.
Remember, “ Just as you did it to one of the
least of these who are members of my family,
you did it to me." (Matthew 25:40)
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Active church membership
helps build a sense of
community.
The church is a family—growth
takes work, commitment,
support and love. But working
together can provide a feeling
of togetherness, as well as a
sense that you are part of
something larger than yourself.
"l give you a new
commandment, that you love
one another. Just as I have
loved you, you also should love
one another." (John 1 3:34)
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Church can offer support in
times of crisis.
Church members encourage,
support and guide each
other through change, loss
and stress. Support and
fellowship in times of
economic or personal
hardship, illness or death
can provide comfort and
peace.
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Being an active member of
the church can bring you
spiritual joy.
Let yourself experience the
joy of being an active
Christian and knowing that
you are making a difference
in the world. Doing so
increases your opportunity to
love and be loved in the same
way that Christ loves the
world.
