La Croix Membership
THE GOSPEL MATTERS CLASS
What is “Gospel Matters”?
This class is designed to be the first point of connection for those considering La Croix Church as their home, for a season or for a lifetime. It also serves as the biblical overview of the foundation from which our theology and community spring. Content of the class includes an overview of our church and our core values, with a doctrinal exploration of the Scriptures, God, Creation, Sin, Salvation, the Missional Church, Stewardship, and Spiritual Gifts. This class explores basic, biblical theology and how this teaching plays out philosophically and practically in the way we embody the gospel to the neighborhoods in which we live.
Who should take Gospel Matters?
Gospel Matters is open to everyone. If it’s your first week at La Croix Church, if you believe in Jesus or not, this introductory class is a great place to get started for those who are merely curious and for those who are excited to get connected.
We DO ask that everyone considering La Croix Church to be their church take this class to assess how they feel about God, the Gospel, and what we believe, praying for discernment and growth as they choose a local body of believers to call their family.
What if I want to be a member of La Croix Church?
This class is required for church membership, as we ask anyone interested in membership to walk with us through our foundational theology. Whether you became a Christian yesterday, or have a Masters of Divinity degree, there are no exceptions. For more about church membership, see the following page.
What about other classes at La Croix Church?
With few exceptions, Gospel Matters is required for church membership and strongly recommended as the first point of connection even before you take subsequent theology classes which work from this foundation to study biblical truths in greater depth. In our ideal setting, we would prefer you take this class and follow our membership process before having access to other classes.
MEMBERSHIP AT LA CROIX CHURCH
Introduction
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will."
~Romans 12:1-2~
La Croix Church holds the issue of church membership in high regard. Members function as the primary missionaries for the church to the culture. Members live, eat, and breathe the climate of Baton Rouge every day, placed in the culture to emulate Christ. We are called corporately as ambassadors of Christ to share and live the Gospel to those God—in His sovereignty, have placed in our lives.
"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 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 who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." ~Romans 12:3-8~
The global church has a blemished track record of allowing members to become observers while an exhausted, burnt out pastor and staff do all the work in the church and the community around it. La Croix Church is committed to creating a model that reflects God’s heart for his children, an organic composition of hearts and hands living out the gospel with more than lip service. Membership is about more than having exclusive access to a members’ website; it is not merely a status symbol or social club. A member who acknowledges they are a part of the body of Christ and enters into a covenant with their local church is called to a higher degree of responsibility; conversely, the elders and deacons are covenanted to assist members first and foremost, to provide counsel, service, and aid, as well as to pray, teach, and guide as necessary.
"Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve for one another with whatever gift each of you have received." ~1 Peter 4:8-10~
To transition from a guest to a member of La Croix Church, we ask that you attend this foundational class, where we shall look at an overview of Christian essentials with time for questions and discussion. For those who desire to call La Croix Church their home, this class will ensure that you get connected. This is more than a survey of beliefs; content includes an overview of the gospel, the church, culture, and how this practically spills out into our lives individually and corporately. Everyone considering La Croix Church for their home should attend; this class is required for membership.
LA CROIX CHURCH membership process….
From a practical perspective, the following items need to be completed in the following order for membership with La Croix Church:
- Complete Required Gospel Matters classes*
- Complete Required Membership Interview**
- Complete Required Paperwork
*If you miss a class, you may make it up via listening to the session through mp3 or CD. You may only do this with THREE class sessions out of 1-9.
**You need to attend ALL of the classes (or have made them up on mp3 or CD) by the final week. If for any reason you have not completed the classes you will need to wait and contact an elder to schedule an interview after the Gospel Matters class has ended.
Becoming a Member
At the membership interview, you will receive information to help you:
- Get connected to a Missional Community Group, Gospel Class, or Missional Service Team.
- Get Connected to La Croix Church's Online Community, The City.
- Start taking ownership of your church through participation and relationship.
- Get on a list for baptism or other church services.
Once the membership process has been completed, you should:
- Receive a letter confirming your membership with La Croix Church.
- Receive an email to join the City and begin receiving notifications.
- Find that you are included on advance notices regarding members’ meetings or special member emails and announcements.
***If you believe you have completed all the membership process requirements above and have not received a confirmation letter, email barry@lacroixchurch.net with inquiries, and we will be happy to assist you!
