Church Membership

Rather than simply defining who’s in or out, membership at RiverLife will help you grow in your faith and embrace a mission larger than yourself.

 Membership Requirements

  1. 16 years or older

  2. Committed Christian who believes in Jesus as Lord & Savior

  3. Baptized as a reflection of faith in Jesus

  4. Agree to the Four Membership Commitments

  5. Watch or listen to the Membership sermon series

  6. Complete your Nucleus Personal Profile - Name, email, phone, address, gender, birthday, marital status, and PROFILE PIC.

  7. Complete the Membership Form (each person 16 and up)

  8. Complete the All-Church Survey (anonymous)

  9. Attend a Membership Class (offered quarterly)

If you do not want to become a member of the church but still consider yourself part of the RiverLife family, we encourage you to create a Nucleus profile on our website.

 Membership Classes

In this 2-hour interactive discussion, you’ll have a chance to talk about the Four Membership Commitments, assess your current involvement in the church, learn about RiverLife and the C&MA, and ask any questions you have about the church.

Classes are offered quarterly.

NEXT CLASS
June 2, 2024 from 1-3pm at the St. Paul campus

 Membership Mantras

7 Core Principles That Shape Membership at RiverLife

1. Membership is about growing spiritually not belonging to a club.

2. We don’t exist for ourselves. We exist for God first and others second.

3. Members unite; complainers divide.

4. Membership means learning a new set of family rules.

5. Membership is finding your function in the family.

6. Membership is understanding and joining the mission of God and the mission of the church.

7. Membership is a partnership between church and member.

Membership Sermon Series

Watch the core teachings about membership at RiverLife

1. Membership as Discipleship (Pastor Greg, 35 min)
2. Membership as Unity (Pastor Greg, 28 min)
3. Membership as Family (Pastor Kong, 21 min)
4. Membership as Mission (Pastor Kong, 35 min)
5. Membership as Commitment (Pastor Greg, 32 min)

(from Fall 2021)

The Four Membership Commitments

Membership is a two-way partnership between the church and the member.
Below are the four membership commitments that both are making to one another.

Four Commitments You Make to RiverLife

1. Be a Disciple of Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20)

  • Believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

  • Be baptized as a public declaration of your faith.

  • Commit to ongoing spiritual growth (discipleship).

  • Look for opportunities to disciple others.

2. Gather in Community (Hebrews 10:25)

  • Participate in the life of the church.

  • Attend service at least half the time.

  • Develop friendships at church.

3. Serve Others (Philippians 2:3, 1 Peter 4:10)

  • Volunteer in a ministry at least once a month.

  • Participate in opportunities to serve those outside the church.

  • Consider others more important than yourself.

4. Give to the Church (2 Corinthians 9:6-8)

  • Financially give regularly, generously, and according to ability.

    • Regular = consistent, regular, intentional, planned

    • Generous = an amount that matters to you, costs you something, and engages your heart

    • According to ability = in proportion to what God has given you.

  • Look for opportunities to give time, skills, expertise, donations, etc.

  • Don’t come to God empty-handed.

Four Commitments RiverLife Makes to You

Please note: These commitments are not limited only to members of RiverLife. We are deeply committed to serving and caring for anybody inside and outside the RiverLife family.

1. Shepherding Care (1 Peter 5:2-3, Acts 20:28)

  • Care for your spiritual, emotional, and physical needs.

  • Provide spiritual guidance and training.

  • Lead out of a desire to please God and not for personal gain.

2. Spiritual Authority (Titus 2:15, Hebrews 13:17)

  • Recognize that Jesus is the head of this church and that our authority comes from him.

  • Speak against sin and call people to repentance.

  • Help you resolve conflict with biblical reconciliation.

  • Exercise spiritual discipline when necessary.

  • Encourage and empower you to use your spiritual authority in Christ.

3. Support for Life Events (Galatians 6:2, Acts 2:42-47)

  • Participate in life’s celebrations—baby dedications, parties, house blessings, graduations, weddings, funerals, and more.

  • Preside over weddings and funerals.

  • Provide financial and practical assistance for funerals.

4. Voting Rights (Acts 6:1-4)

  • Provide you with opportunities to vote in church elections and business meetings.

  • Listen to your needs, opinions, and concerns about church initiatives, strategic plans, and leadership.

Should I become a member at RiverLife?

Use this chart below to determine your relationship with the church and whether membership would be a good fit for you. You can also see areas of your spiritual growth and church involvement where you would like to grow and stretch yourself.

GUEST
ATTENDER
PARTICIPANT
OFFICIAL MEMBER
General Description
New to RiverLife. Checking out the church. Has attended a few times.
Attends church but doesn’t engage much outside of weekend services.
Calls RiverLife their home. Participates in some activities—life groups, giving, serving, etc.
Actively and intentionally attending, growing, serving, giving, etc.
Relationship to RiverLife’s Mission (hope, healing, growth for next-gen Hmong and beyond)
Unfamiliar with the mission; still learning about it.
Somewhat familiar with the mission. Experiences it first-hand during services.
Understands the mission. Regularly experiences it in church community.
Joins the mission. Actively receives it for themselves and pursues it for others.
Attendance
Has attended a few services or attends rarely.
Attends services but doesn’t participate much outside of services.
Attends service at least once a month. Participates in some activities outside of service.
Attends service at least half the time. Regularly engages in activities outside of service.
Relationship with Jesus
Can hold any beliefs. Not necessarily Christian.
Can hold any beliefs. Not necessarily Christian.
Can be Christian or at least interested in learning about Jesus.
Committed Christian. Personally believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Giving
Not expected to give financially.
Gives sporadically or may not give.
Gives occasionally throughout the year.
Gives regularly, generously, and according to ability.
Baptism
No expectation.
No expectation.
May or may not be baptized.
Must be baptized (as an older child, youth, or adult)
Serving at Church
No expectation to serve in a ministry.
Doesn’t serve or serves occasionally when asked.
Serves occasionally when scheduled or asked to fill in.
Serves regularly. At least once a month.
Friendships
No connections or some pre-existing relationships at the church.
Has church friends you see and talk with at services.
Develops ongoing relationships with church friends at services.
Deeper relationships with church friends. Engages them outside of services.
One-Word Descriptor
Observer
Consumer
Contributor
Owner