Welcome to the Belonging track of the Discipleship Pathway at Reality Church of Stockton. We’re so excited that you’re considering becoming a member at Reality Church of Stockton!
As a reminder, this track is for those who have believed in Jesus and have been baptized and are now prepared to become members at Reality Church of Stockton. In this process you will learn about our doctrine statement, our pillars of belonging, our ecclesiology, and all that’s involved in committing to our church. The goal of this track is to establish a covenanted, and mutually beneficial connection with the church community that opens opportunities of service and partnership. This tier culminates in formal membership announced before the church.
If that’s you, then you’re in the right place!
If that’s you, then you’re in the right place!
Why membership?
The Bible teaches that through faith in Jesus Christ, a person is brought into fellowship with him and his body, the church (1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 3:6, 4:25, 5:30).
The New Testament scripture describes this relationship: "For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." --Romans 12:4-5
Therefore, we believe the context for faithful fellowship with Jesus is within faithful fellowship with the local church. Belonging is the avenue to enter a committed relationship as a member of Reality Church of Stockton.
What am I in for?
This track has three sessions and will take place in consecutive weeks. The sessions include teachings on:
What's in each session?
Each session has pre-work and work. Learning is like a potluck: everyone brings something unique to the table to share with others, and the meal isn’t complete unless we all bring our dishes. But, to share in the meal we all must do the meal-prep for our parts.
Pre-work (Meal-Prep): prior to each weekly meeting, participants will need to watch the short video teaching, and have read the linked article(s). This is very important because it will allow our time together in the meeting to be productive for everyone.
Work (Meal): the work occurs in the meeting itself and will largely be centered on a recap of the teaching (specific questions you may have, clarifications of things you didn’t understand, etc.), and centered around group-based learning. Each meeting will have discussion questions to be answered together.
What happens after the sessions are completed?
Once the sessions are done, each member meets with their assigned elder to finish up the process, answer any final questions, and be welcomed into the family.
The Bible teaches that through faith in Jesus Christ, a person is brought into fellowship with him and his body, the church (1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 3:6, 4:25, 5:30).
The New Testament scripture describes this relationship: "For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." --Romans 12:4-5
Therefore, we believe the context for faithful fellowship with Jesus is within faithful fellowship with the local church. Belonging is the avenue to enter a committed relationship as a member of Reality Church of Stockton.
What am I in for?
This track has three sessions and will take place in consecutive weeks. The sessions include teachings on:
- The Pillars of Belonging
- Our Doctrine Statement
- Our Ecclesiology & Church Discipline
What's in each session?
Each session has pre-work and work. Learning is like a potluck: everyone brings something unique to the table to share with others, and the meal isn’t complete unless we all bring our dishes. But, to share in the meal we all must do the meal-prep for our parts.
Pre-work (Meal-Prep): prior to each weekly meeting, participants will need to watch the short video teaching, and have read the linked article(s). This is very important because it will allow our time together in the meeting to be productive for everyone.
Work (Meal): the work occurs in the meeting itself and will largely be centered on a recap of the teaching (specific questions you may have, clarifications of things you didn’t understand, etc.), and centered around group-based learning. Each meeting will have discussion questions to be answered together.
What happens after the sessions are completed?
Once the sessions are done, each member meets with their assigned elder to finish up the process, answer any final questions, and be welcomed into the family.
Once you’ve completed the membership signup form, someone from the church will connect with you regarding the dates of the next membership class, the password for the pages below, and the next steps you should take in the meantime.
Suggested Resources
You don’t have to read these books in order to participate, but we encourage you to pick them up (either during or after you’ve completed the class) so that you can continue to learn about these topics on your own.
No class can exhaust any given subject, so these books serve as reading for the road as you continue your journey down the path of discipleship–a journey we’re excited to take with you!
No class can exhaust any given subject, so these books serve as reading for the road as you continue your journey down the path of discipleship–a journey we’re excited to take with you!
FAQs
WHAT IS CHURCH MEMBERSHIP?
We see in Acts 2:41-47 that the people of the first church made a decision to follow Christ, to be added to the number of those following Christ, and to be devoted to the new community of believers through believing, worshipping, gathering, praying, giving, serving, and reaching together. This gives us timeless clarity about what church membership is to look like in our day. At Reality Church of Stockton, we define church membership as an intentional partnership and contribution of a Christian to a local church.
WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH?
In Acts 2, we see that the first church was made up of people who did three things. First, they received the word Peter preached to them; they received the message that Jesus Christ brings salvation to those who believe in him. Second, they were baptized, publicly professing their faith in Jesus Christ. Third, they were joined to the church, intentionally devoting themselves to a body of believers.
Those who belong as a member of Reality Church of Stockton are those who have received and believed the gospel of Jesus Christ, been baptized, and those who have committed themselves as participants in the mission of the church.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF BELONGING TO REALITY CHURCH OF STOCKTON?
DO MARRIED COUPLES APPLY TOGETHER, OR SEPARATELY FOR MEMBERSHIP?
Married couples will apply separately, but typically interview with the same leader.
I HAVE ATTENDED REALITY FOR YEARS AND ALREADY CONSIDER MYSELF A MEMBER. AM I STILL REQUIRED TO GO THROUGH THE BELONG PROCESS?
To formally belong, yes, every member of the community wishing to Belong must complete the Belonging Process. This will ensure that every member is properly cared and accounted for.
I AM STILL A MEMBER AT MY PRIOR CHURCH. HOW SHOULD I PROCEED?
We will work with your prior church to transfer membership. Please provide the appropriate information during the application process.
I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT, TEMPORARILY LIVING IN STOCKTON, BUT I’M STILL A MEMBER AT A CHURCH IN MY HOMETOWN. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
If this particular scenario applies to you, please follow through with the signup form, and we will correspond with your home church in order to temporally transfer your membership for your remaining time in Stockton.
We see in Acts 2:41-47 that the people of the first church made a decision to follow Christ, to be added to the number of those following Christ, and to be devoted to the new community of believers through believing, worshipping, gathering, praying, giving, serving, and reaching together. This gives us timeless clarity about what church membership is to look like in our day. At Reality Church of Stockton, we define church membership as an intentional partnership and contribution of a Christian to a local church.
WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH?
In Acts 2, we see that the first church was made up of people who did three things. First, they received the word Peter preached to them; they received the message that Jesus Christ brings salvation to those who believe in him. Second, they were baptized, publicly professing their faith in Jesus Christ. Third, they were joined to the church, intentionally devoting themselves to a body of believers.
Those who belong as a member of Reality Church of Stockton are those who have received and believed the gospel of Jesus Christ, been baptized, and those who have committed themselves as participants in the mission of the church.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF BELONGING TO REALITY CHURCH OF STOCKTON?
- While the leadership provides pastoral oversight and practical care to all within our community, members receive intentional pastoral care, premarital counseling, etc. ("So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10).
- Access to updates regarding future opportunities, insights into prayer points and particular pressing needs within the body, financial updates, etc.
- Participation in Members Meetings
- Opportunities to serve within the church and in leadership roles
- Access to diaconal relief—a fund which has been established for the purpose of providing financial relief to eligible members of the body that fall into financial difficulty.
DO MARRIED COUPLES APPLY TOGETHER, OR SEPARATELY FOR MEMBERSHIP?
Married couples will apply separately, but typically interview with the same leader.
I HAVE ATTENDED REALITY FOR YEARS AND ALREADY CONSIDER MYSELF A MEMBER. AM I STILL REQUIRED TO GO THROUGH THE BELONG PROCESS?
To formally belong, yes, every member of the community wishing to Belong must complete the Belonging Process. This will ensure that every member is properly cared and accounted for.
I AM STILL A MEMBER AT MY PRIOR CHURCH. HOW SHOULD I PROCEED?
We will work with your prior church to transfer membership. Please provide the appropriate information during the application process.
I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT, TEMPORARILY LIVING IN STOCKTON, BUT I’M STILL A MEMBER AT A CHURCH IN MY HOMETOWN. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
If this particular scenario applies to you, please follow through with the signup form, and we will correspond with your home church in order to temporally transfer your membership for your remaining time in Stockton.