Called to Belong
We believe that covenant membership is the most important and valuable way to be involved in Old Town Church. When we covenant together as members of a local church, we commit to be part of a community in which everyone deeply belongs, both to Jesus and to one another.
Church membership is often thought of as a log of names or a directory. Old Town Church believes it is so much more than that! Church membership is the means by which our pastors faithfully shepherd the church and serves as a gift to the congregation for the protection of their souls.
Hebrews 13:17 says this… “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
It is imperative that pastors know who they are responsible for and for members to have shepherds who lead them and protect their souls. Church membership is for the protection of the sheep and the shepherds!
Support for Church Membership
Being part of a church is more than attending—it's committing.
We believe every follower of Jesus should be a committed member of a local church. Here’s why:
1. Jesus Forms a Family, Not Just Followers
The gospel doesn’t create isolated believers but a redeemed community. Jesus is gathering a community that is deeply devoted to Him and to one another.
2. Biblical Membership Is God’s Design
The New Testament assumes identifiable, committed church membership:
Acts 2:41, 47 – Believers “were added” and gathered regularly.
Heb 13:17 – Pastors “keep watch over your souls.” Shepherding requires knowing who belongs.
1 Cor 12:7 – Spiritual gifts are for building a specific body.
Rom 12:4–5 – We are members of one body, not an anonymous crowd.
1 Cor 5:12–13 – Church discipline presumes clear membership boundaries. Joining declares, “These are my people; I’m all in.”
3. Membership Protects and Strengthens Souls
God gives pastors to watch over defined flocks and gives believers mutual responsibility for one another’s perseverance.
4. Commitment Fuels Genuine Fellowship
You can’t obey the “one another” commands without being committed to one another.
5. Joining a Church Displays the Gospel
Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her (Eph 5:25). When we covenant with a local body, we reflect His covenant love—faithful, sacrificial, enduring.
Want to learn more?
Ready to take the Next Step?
If you are interested in being a member of Old Town Church or knowing more about what that means, we would love walk with you through our membership process!
The first step is attending one of our Discover OTC classes, which happen throughout the year.