Membership I Willow Creek Community Church

Frequently Asked Questions about Membership

Is membership biblical?…why should I join? What are the five G’s? …do I have to become a member? What if I disagree with something? What do you believe about women in leadership? what’s in it for me…what’s in it for the church…

The questions might seem endless concerning this concept of membership at Willow Creek…please know this up front, we appreciate your questions. In fact, we encourage them.

Click here logon to the reaffirmation process.

1. What is expected of members?
2. When should I become a Participating Member?
3. How long does it take to become a member?
4. Do I have to attend a New Member seminar?
5. Do I have to be a leader?
6. Why is there an interview? Could I be turned away?
7. I was baptized as an infant. Why do I have to be baptized again?
8. I’m still growing… am I ready to be a member?
9. Why would I give 10% of my income to the church?
10. I’m already “participating” – why formalize it?
11. What’s in it for me?
12. Where does the Bible speak of being a member in a local church?
13. What if I disagree with Willow’s view of women in leadership?
14. What is your statement of faith? What if I disagree?
15. What if I disagree with a leadership decision in the church?
16. Why do reaffirmation?
17. I just became a member, do I need to re-affirm?
18. What are the general instructions to complete reaffirmation?
19. I'm late but still want to reaffirm; what do I do?
20. I lost my assigned reaffirmation username code and password; what do I do?
21. I lost my self-assessment; what do I do?
22.What happens if I don’t reaffirm?

1. What is expected of members?
Our members make explicit their commitment to Jesus Christ and to this local church. We evaluate this through what we call the Five G’s, which capture the essential “marks” of someone who is committed to following Jesus Christ. It is the commitment to this lifelong process that is solidified in membership, not a standard of perfection. To our members, the expression of these five G’s has become their way of life… in keeping with the teaching of the scriptures.

GRACE. That they have accepted Christ as their Savior and Lord followed by baptism as a believer (Ephesians 2:8-9)
GROWTH. Ongoing evidence of a changing life and pursuit of Christ likeness (nurturing themselves on a personal basis with God, attending midweek and weekend services) (2 Peter 3:18)
GROUPS. Participation in the body of Christ and connection with others in significant relationships (this is really about committing to having friendships here at the church where accountability and care can be given and received—the church becomes smaller as people build relationships within it) (Acts 2:46)
GIFTS. Serving Christ’s body according to spiritual giftedness and passion (God gave us each unique giftedness – we are accountable to God as individuals on how we steward this giftedness. Once a person begins to serve within his or her giftedness and area of passion, the sense of fulfillment and being part of advancing God’s kingdom enhances the person’s life. People need to be challenged to take the first step and then God steps in and rewards the person) (Romans 12:6-8)
GOOD STEWARDSHIP. Honoring God with one’s material resources and supporting the church using the biblical precedent of the tithe as a goal to reach or exceed as God prospers (Philippians 4:11-19)

2. When should I become Participating Member?
There is no standard answer for this question. It’s up to your personal development. When you have built a relationship with Jesus Christ and are expressing your commitment to Him and to this local body, then you may be ready to be recognized as a participating member here. You would want to be involved in the church either through a small group or a serving team… The Participating Membership Manual will guide you through a study and personal reflection exercise that will prepare you well for the membership interview you’ll have with your small group or serving team coach.

3. How long does it take to become a participating member?
The time commitment depends entirely on your prior spiritual development and the time you have available to complete the study and personal response in the membership manual. On average, completing the study itself takes about 10 hours. Whether that takes a week, a month or a season depends on you.

We also offer a seminar, Full Devotion: Our Way of Life at Willow Creek. While not required, it gives prospective members additional vision on the value of membership and additional teaching for each of the Five G’s; Grace, Growth, Groups, Gifts, and Good Stewardship. The focus of the seminar is to help you develop the expression of the Five G’ as your way of life. There are also ways to connect into small groups and serving opportunities through this class. The format of the class offers plenty of opportunity for interaction at discussion tables with facilitators who are ready and willing to help you as you consider becoming a member.

4. Do I have to attend a New Member seminar?
No. The seminar exists to provide a developmental environment where learning, next steps, and times for conversations bring Full Devotion as an idea to life. Additionally, the seminar is helpful to those who may yet be unconnected to a small group or volunteer opportunity in the church.

5. Do I have to be a leader?
We require every leader in the church to become a participating Member, but not every Participating Member is a leader. A whole-life commitment to discipleship in the context of this local church is what members commit themselves to, not leadership per se.

6. Why is there an interview? Could I be turned away?
Membership interviews help each person discuss with a significant leader in their lives what they discovered about their spiritual journey while going through the Bible study and personal reflection questions in the Membership Manual. If becoming a member means formalizing one’s commitment to following Jesus Christ in the context of this local church, then the membership interview is the time to discover if that has, in fact, become true for your life.

It is not, however, about passing or failing. Going through the membership interview will urge you on in your spiritual growth, as it affirms the spiritual growth that has occurred and gently nudges people onward on their journey. It is intended to affirm the work of the Holy Spirit that has brought the person to the point of authentic commitment to Christ and His Church.

Occasionally, the process of becoming a member is suspended to allow time for further development on a particular issue. There may be very important practical steps to resolve (for example, if they have not been baptized as a believer, being unaware of the spiritual practice of a tithe, or being unwilling to serve) and move forward in their journey with Christ. If this were to happen, it would be clearly explained what the issue is, what action would need to be taken, and what timeframe would be given to assess progress and determine next steps regarding becoming a member.

7. I was baptized as an infant. Why do I have to be baptized again?
While recognizing for other churches the right to practice infant baptism, if it conforms to their theologies, the congregation of Willow Creek understands the Scripture to teach only professing believers qualify for baptism.

In passages such as Acts 2:41, 8:12 and 10:47-48, it is evident that baptism follows an individual’s decision to trust Christ alone for salvation. The New Testament records the baptism of adult believers only. Baptism was never intended to provide salvation for an individual, but rather to publicly identify a person with Christ.

Baptism is an act of obedience to the command of Christ, fulfilled by individuals who have subjected themselves to His sovereignty.

It symbolizes the spiritual cleansing through divine forgiveness and newness of life experienced by believers by virtue of their identification with Christ in His death and resurrection.

8. I’m still growing… am I ready to be a member?
Join the humanity of Kingdom-life. As members, imperfect people who are committed to life in the new community join together in a local body and make that journey together. Spiritual formation is a life-long, whole-life process. We are all still growing.

Participating members have entered into their own journey of spiritual formation. They have fixed their eyes on Jesus, the “author and perfector” of their faith.

Though they are not where they want to be, they’re not where they used to be—and they’re assuredly headed where they’re meant to be.

9. Why would I give 10% of my income to the church?

The Old Testament provides the backdrop for Willow Creek’s understanding of giving—instructing God’s people to give the first 10% of their income back to Him. (Genesis 14:18-20; Leviticus 27:30, 32; Malachi 3:8-10)The New Testament understanding was even more communal… when discussed, it appears believers had everything in common, and gave resources to the local church as it had need. We hold to the goal of a tithe: giving a tenth of our income back to the ministry of the local church.

Willow Creek does not automatically exclude people from becoming members who don’t tithe. But we do expect people to be moving toward tithing without any major reservations about that being their target to reach (or even exceed). We see the tithe as an outward expression of their gratitude to God and acknowledgement of their role as stewards of everything they’ve been given, including financial resources.

10. I’m Already Participating. Why Formalize It?
There is great spiritual value in making a commitment to community. Monastic communities centuries ago recognized the all-too-human tendency to remain part of a community as long as it was comfortable or convenient. If it got too hard, rather than solve interpersonal problems, people would move on to another community. Eventually, in addition to other vows taken in monastic life, many called their people to take a Vow of Stability, saying in effect: “I will not easily leave.”

In a similar way, when we commit to being a participating member, we say to one another, “I will not easily leave.” Because of that kind of commitment, a few things are made possible:
Community, Growth, Protection, and Mission

11. What’s in it for me?
The primary reason to become a participating member is not to gain a personal advantage, but to identify with the characteristics of biblical maturity and commitment to the mission and future of this local church. Participating Members are our vision owners or “stakeholders.”

12. Where does the Bible speak of being a member in a local church?
The Bible actually infers two kinds of members. At the instant of our conversion, we become “positional members” in the universal church of Jesus Christ, based solely on His merit and grace. If you are a Christ-follower, then you are already this kind of member. This is eternal and unchanging (I Corinthians 12:12-13; Ephesians 2:13-22; 4:3-6; Colossians 1:13-22).

However, the Bible also assumes those “positional members” become deeply involved in the participation of a local assembly (Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians. 12:25-31; 14:12, 26; Hebrews 10:24-25; I Tim. 3:14-15).

Hence we become “Participating Members” of Willow Creek, recognizing that we are also positionally members of the body of Christ at large.

13. What if I disagree with Willow’s view of women in leadership?
It is and has historically been the position of Willow Creek Church that the Bible, when interpreted comprehensively, teaches the full equality of men and women in status, giftedness and opportunity for ministry. Therefore, Willow Creek affirms the participation of women in all levels of leadership, including elder positions and teaching positions (based on spiritual qualification and giftedness).
We recognize that this is a complex issue and has historically been the subject of much debate among godly believers. While we respect the right of individuals to hold a different position, we ask that Participating Members of Willow Creek minimally be able to affirm with integrity the following:

That they can joyfully sit under the teaching of women teachers at Willow Creek
That they can joyfully submit to the leadership of women in various leadership positions at Willow Creek
That they refrain from promoting personal views in ways that would be divisive or disruptive

14. What is your statement of faith? What about areas of disagreement?
Willow Creek’s statement of faith is a solidly evangelical statement of faith. In essence, it puts a fence around our core doctrinal non-negotiables. If an individual is in specific disagreement with anything in that statement, that is a significant issue and membership should not proceed unless there is resolve.

Apart from those core doctrinal essentials, there are, however, many areas of faith and practice on which intelligent and godly believers hold different views (various end-times scenarios, charismatic issues, predestination and free-will debates to name just a few.) With these issues, members of Willow Creek are free to hold their own opinions and engage in respectful dialogue as long as they are not disruptive to the body. The following attitudes or behaviors, however, would signal a larger problem:

Attempts to win over others in the body/“crusading” for their viewpoint
Divisiveness/disruptive behavior
Holding to a position with such intensity that they will simply be unable to submit to the policies, decisions and leadership of the church

15. What if I disagree with a leadership decision in the church?
The New Testament is clear that the church is to be led by a plurality of godly leaders under the oversight and watch care of elders. The elders are given ultimate responsibility and authority to see that the church remains on a true course biblically, that its members are being appropriately shepherded, that the body is being fed through insightful and accurate biblical teaching and that the life of the church is being well managed with the assistance of other competent and godly leaders.

In response to the biblical pattern of leadership, members of the body are taught in Scripture to lovingly support their leaders and submit to their leadership.
While Scripture indicates that elders bear the ultimate responsibility for the watch care of the church, the board of directors shall be specifically delegated by the elders to oversee legal and financial matters and to provide for the care and maintenance of all properties owned by Willow Creek. We believe that the elders, board, staff and senior pastor of Willow Creek Church have been called by God to Willow Creek and to its unique mission and vision. What makes Willow Creek work smoothly is the humble, servant-like spirit of these groups of people. Whether as a leader or a follower, everyone in the church is submitted to Jesus Christ.

The decisions that are made regarding the day-to-day church affairs, as well as for the future of Willow Creek, are bathed in prayer and there is a unity among the leadership before decisions are final.

If a potential member is not in agreement with a particular decision, we invite the person to have respectful dialog with a leader or staff member, or to write a letter to investigate further the reason the particular decision has been made. If, after that dialog has come to a conclusion, the person either agrees with the decision, or agrees to disagree, trusting that God is working through the plurality of leaders, then membership can be sought.

16. Why do reaffirmation?
Life situations change over time. Our spiritual commitments can become fuzzy, vague or even forgotten. Reaffirmation is an important annual opportunity – a time set aside to think about and refresh our commitment to what it means to pursue full devotion to Christ and to be a participating member of this local church.

17. I just became a member; do I need to reaffirm?
If you got a letter with the reaffirmation materials, you will need to reaffirm. Obviously, it’s not an ideal situation if you joined recently, but this is the only year you’ll have this circumstance. Next year, like everyone else, it will have been a full 12 months since your last renewal.

18. What are the general instructions to complete reaffirmation?
Check our website www.willowcreek.org/reaffirmation. From there, you can download the self-assessment tool (available in PDF here) and obtain suggestions on how to have a great spiritual conversation with another participating member.

Packets are mailed annually to all active participating members. It contains the self-assessment and a personal username and password to get on line for completion of the process, which also updates your church database record. Lost materials are available on line. However, contact us if you lose your username and password (847-765-7920).

(1) Before September 13, 2006 complete the self-assessment, (2) have your conversation, (3) complete on line at www.willowcreek.org/login using your assigned username code and password. This completes your reaffirmation and updates your database.

If you need help, call 847-765-7920. If you leave a voice message, please speak clearly, spell out your name, and leave your phone number with the best time to call. You may also email members@willowcreek.org for a speedy response to your question(s).

19. I'm late but still want to re-affirm; what do I do now?
The intent is to make reaffirmation a meaningful and short annual practice. Dragging out the process for months due to negligence or procrastination is not acceptable and will also limit your leadership options.

We do realize, however, that there are certain situations that might limit someone from completing it on time. The Elders have approved these types of serious exceptions and given permission to request an extended grace period. If you want to know if your situation qualifies, please call 224-512-1231.

If you are a little late but desire to reaffirm your participating membership:

Call immediately to notify us of your intention to reaffirm (224-512-1231).
As near to September 13, 2006 as possible, complete your self-assessment (available in PDF here) and discuss your answers with any other Willow Creek Participating Member.
Complete the process online (see next paragraph) or call for assistance (847-765-7920).

Using your assigned username code and password (mailed to your home in your reaffirmation packet), get on line at www.willowcreek.org/login to complete the process.

20. I lost my assigned reaffirmation username code and password; what do I do?
Email members@willowcreek.org or call our hotline at 847-765-7920.

21. I lost my self-assessment; what do I do?
The self-assessment is online (available in PDF here). To be good stewards of our resources, we cannot give out additional printed copies.

22.What happens if I don’t reaffirm?
No one is going to force you to renew your membership. If you choose not to reaffirm, we will respect your wish and remove you from our list of participating members. If you should decide to join at some future date, you will need to go through the usual participating membership process again.
We welcome your feedback at our Reaffirmation Hotline 847-765-7920 or by email at members@willowcreek.org

Call the Reaffirmation Hotline – 847-765-7920; or Email members@willowcreek.org