Rock and Role Membership Class Preview Living Rock Church, Norwood Young America, MN Part One: Rock 1. Definitions Church - The Church is made up of called out believers in Jesus Christ. Christian – A Christian is one who believes and receives Jesus as Savior and Lord. Gospel – “This is the gospel. The just and loving Creator of the universe has looked upon hopelessly sinful people and sent His Son, God in the flesh, to bear His wrath against sin on the cross and to show His power over sin in the resurrection so that all who trust in Him will be reconciled to God forever.” - David Platt, Radical Marriage - “In Scripture, the creation of man and woman, and their one-flesh union as husband and wife, is the crowning achievement of God's creation. In the transmission of life and the nurturing of children, men and women joined as spouses are given the great honor of being partners with God Himself. Marriage then, is the first institution of human society—indeed it is the institution on which all other human institutions have their foundation. In the Christian tradition we refer to marriage as “holy matrimony” to signal the fact that it is an institution ordained by God, and blessed by Christ in His participation at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. In the Bible, God Himself blesses and holds marriage in the highest esteem.” - From The Manhattan Declaration 2. Doctrines The Apostles Creed (14 Doctrines found in the Apostles' Creed) • Human depravity • The necessity of God’s grace • Mary’s virginity • The necessity of Faith • Christ’s purity • Christ’s atoning death • Christ’s deity • Christ’s bodily resurrection • Christ’s humanity • Christ’s bodily ascension • God’s unity • Christ present intersession • God’s tri-unity • Christ’s bodily return Essentials vs. Non-essentials (What we agree on and what we are free to disagree on). “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty, and in all things, charity.”- Rupertus Meldenius Who is Jesus? We are a Christ-centered fellowship (see poem, “Himself” below). Part Two: Role Ministry Equipping the saints for the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:12). Sharing your time, talents, and treasure (Ephesians 2:10). Bearing much fruit (John 15:8). The Ordinances: Baptism and Communion Mission Our mission is to make disciples that love, learn, grow, and give glory to God. “And this is my prayer, that your love may abound more and more [LOVE] in knowledge and depth of insight so that you may be able to discern what is best [LEARN], and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ [GROW] filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ [GIVE] – to the glory and praise of God.” – Phil. 1:9-11 (NIV). Our mission is to seek the welfare of the city (Jeremiah 29:7). Our mission is all of Jesus for all the world through the Alliance worldwide (cmalliance.org). The Great Commission is in Matthew 28:18-20. (51% of Churchgoers Don’t Know of the Great Commission according to Barna 3/2018) Our vision is to move from a “planting church” in rented facilities, to a “planted church” – established and flourishing – in our own ministry campus. Summary: We would hope that members of LRC would have clarity and passion for one area of ministry (inside the church) and one area of mission (in the community/world). **Part Three: Membership Process ** Why Become a Member of a Local Church? • Joining lets the church and leadership know you are on the team and on mission with them. • Joining multiplies your gifts/abilities with others to make a gospel impact (locally/globally). • Joining gives you a voice and a vote in big decisions and Annual Meetings. • Joining is a way to rebel against a world that is spiritually apathetic and complacent. • Joining is a tangible way to demonstrate your personal priorities and commitment to Christ. • Joining provides a spiritual support system for you and your family. How to Become a Member of Living Rock Church? • Sign up and take the next Rock and Role Membership Class. • Share your story and how you came to personal faith in Christ alone. • Sign the doctrinal statement and membership commitments. • Meet and greet with the pastor and elders informally. Those approved for membership will be introduced and welcomed into membership on a Sunday morning as scheduled. .....................… APPENDIX A: HIMSELF, a hymn by A. B. Simpson, the founder of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. This hymn expresses the heart of the Alliance. Once it was the blessing, Now it is the Lord; Once it was the feeling, Now it is His Word. Once His gifts I wanted, Now the Giver own; Once I sought for healing, Now Himself alone. Once 'twas painful trying, Now 'tis perfect trust; Once a half salvation, Now the uttermost. Once 'twas ceaseless holding, Now He holds me fast; Once 'twas constant drifting, Now my anchor's cast. Once 'twas busy planning, Now 'tis trustful prayer; Once 'twas anxious caring, Now He has the care. Once 'twas what I wanted, Now what Jesus says; Once 'twas constant asking, Now 'tis ceaseless praise. Once it was my working, His it hence shall be; Once I tried to use Him, Now He uses me. Once the power I wanted, Now the Mighty One; Once for self I labored, Now for Him alone. Once I hoped in Jesus, Now I know He's mine; Once my lamps were dying, Now they brightly shine. Once for death I waited, Now His coming hail; And my hopes are anchored, Safe within the vail. APPENDIX B: Our denomination is the Christian and Missionary Alliance Today in our U.S. Alliance family there are: • over 500,000 worshipers • speaking 37 languages and dialects • in 2,000 churches. There are 827 Total Ethnic U.S.A. Churches (42%). Our U.S. family sends and supports hundreds of Alliance international workers – particularly in critically low access to the gospel. Right now, • more than 700 U.S. Alliance workers • serve in 70 nations APPENDIX C: A Short History of Living Rock Church 2001 – We began as a church planting in Norwood Young America. 2002 – We reorganized as LRC with the help of Christian and Missionary Alliance Denomination and Parkside Church (Waconia). Pastor Jon Wall was called to serve as the first Lead Pastor. 2008 – We purchased 16 acres of highly visible farmland (near Hwy 212, 25 and 5). We began remodeling the farm house for six offices and out buildings for storage spaces (Completed). 2011 – Pastor Roger Eng was called to serve as the second Lead Pastor. 2012 – We rebranded LRC and the updated the mission to, “Make disciples that love, learn, grow, and give glory to God.” 2014 – We launched, “Pray Down the Debt” and became debt free July 2015! 2017 – We launched the PLANTED CAMPAIGN (2018-2020). 2021 – We are finalizing plans to break ground on or first church home (Lord-willing, Fall 2021). APPENDIX D: Church Governance The Membership: The annual church membership meeting is on the third Sunday of January of each year. The pastor(s), and other ministry leaders report to the congregation. The elders submit an annual report with recommendations and a proposed annual budget. Active members are allowed to vote. A quorum is 25% of the membership. The Elders: The governance authority of Living Rock Church is the Board of Elders. The qualifications for elders are set out in I Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:6-9. This leadership team meets monthly to pray and oversee the shepherding, vision, mission, and business of Living Rock Church. These men serve for three-year terms and are nominated and elected by the members of Living Rock Church. The Pastor(s) and Staff: The pastor(s) lead the body as shepherds and ministry coaches that equip teams for ministry. The staff and ministry teams take care of the daily and weekly ministry of Living Rock Church. The Nominating Committee: This committee of five (two elders, two members, and pastor) meets annually to receive nominations for elders from the membership (as seats become open). The members nominate elders in writing to the Nominating Committee and the Committee reviews and recommends elders (for a vote) at the Annual Meeting. For more information: LRC OFFICE AT THE CHURCH PROPERTY: 17125 County Road 31 NYA, MN 55368 952-467-2498 Hours: Tuesday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Contact: LRCOffice@livingrockchurch.com or 952-467-2498 Web: livingrockchurch.com