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Why become a member?

How Do I Become
A Member?

Attend Step 1 & Step 2

Step 1 and Step 2 are a great way for you and your family to learn what Hope Markham is all about.

Join a Small Group

Following Step 2, you should get connected with one of our Small Group ministries.

Work for Christ

Once you're in a small group, it's important to start using your gifts to serve. There are many ways you can pitch in.

Sign Membership Commitment

Any person professing faith in Jesus who has expressed their commitment to Him by being baptized, is welcome to complete a membership application and return it to the office for further review and follow up.

Interview

After receiving your application, you will be invited to an interview with one of our church leaders. You will be asked to share your testimony of how you became a follower of Jesus and ask any remaining questions you have about Hope Markham.

Elders Review/Interview

The Elders will then review your application and interview. If approved, your name will be shared with the rest of the church for a period of two weeks. During this time, members are encouraged to clear up any difficulties which could hinder your ministry among us. This is to be done in the spirit of Matthew 18:15-17.

Welcome to Membership!

At the end of the two week period, approved candidates will be welcomed into membership.

Membership Says...

I belong here. And God says that believers belong together (Hebrews 10:23-25) - I sense that God wants me here with the people of Hope Bible Church Markham at this time in my walk with Christ, and I want to make a public declaration that you are committed to God’s work through this church.

I affirm, believe, and support the teaching of this church. And God says the believers had all things in common including devotion to the Apostles’ teaching (Acts 2:42-47) - I desire to associate with people of like mind and conviction and embrace the authority of God’s Word in my life and the life of the church.

I share the same ministry goals as Hope Bible Church. And God says that believers are to be committed to one another for the sake of spiritual impact (Ephesians 4:16) - I believe that Jesus has a work to do in Markham and around the world, and I am willing to join with others who have the same vision to see that it gets done.

I accept responsibility for a group of fellow believers in the family of God. And that is God’s plan as well (Galatians 6:1-2, 10) - I want to be part of a caring network of people, sharing one another’s joys and sorrows, and helping one another grow through worship, Bible study, and fellowship.

I am accountable to mature brothers and sisters in Christ for my walk with God. And God warns against spiritual autonomy (Hebrews 13:17; Matthew 18:15-20) - I want to receive the guidance, equipping, and assistance necessary to remain on target and you do not want to go it alone in standing for Jesus Christ.

I accept responsibility for how things are done here. And God says that is how it should be (1 Corinthians 12:20-27) - Elders, deacons, and other church leaders are called from within and serve the congregation. I believe every member needs to contribute their unique gifting and passion to contribute to a healthy body.

Responsibilities as a Member

The effectiveness of our joining together will be determined by the level of the commitment we make. In a society where so few make commitments and fewer still keep them, Hope Bible Church Markham is seeking a group of people who are determined to know the joy Christ intended for His body, the church. To this end members of Hope Bible Church Markham must be willing to live in submission to our doctrinal statement. Further they must be willing to abide by the entire membership commitment.

Membership Commitment

  • I have, by faith, become a follower of Jesus Christ and I have been baptized as a visible way of demonstrating that commitment.
  • I humbly affirm, believe and support the teaching of this church and agree with Hope Bible Church Markham’s Doctrinal statement.
  • I accept my responsibility for how things are done here and submit to the authority of the Elders and leadership of the church.
  • I will regularly attend the weekly worship service at Hope Markham (Worship Christ).
  • I will, with God’s help, seek to maintain my consistent disciplines of prayer, bible study and evangelism and I am presently active in a Hope Markham Small Group and committed to continue.
  • I will, with God’s help, be actively and willingly serving Christ here at Hope Markham (Work for Christ).
  • I will faithfully and humbly give back to the Lord a biblical portion of my income by financially supporting the ministries of Hope Markham, and be a good steward of all resources God entrusts to me.
  • I will neither criticize nor listen to criticism concerning any member(s) of this body and will, when personally offended, speak directly and lovingly with those involved.
Why Membership?

The New Testament clearly indicates that the earliest followers of the Lord Jesus Christ identified themselves with, and committed themselves to a particular local body. In order to implement the principles of accountability and commitment to the local body of Christ, as defined in the New Testament and practiced in the early churches, Hope Markham recognizes the need for formal membership. Membership at Hope Bible Church Markham is for all who are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ and have visibly demonstrated that commitment through believer’s baptism.