Membership at Ann Arbor Community Church

Church membership isn’t about status—it’s about discipleship. It’s not a box to check but a life to share.

At Ann Arbor Community Church, membership is a sacred “yes” to Jesus and to this community. It’s how we say: I’m all in. Not just to Sunday gatherings, but to being known, nurtured, shaped, and sent as part of a Jesus-centered people.

If you’ve said yes to Jesus, been baptized (or are preparing to be), and are ready to grow in grace, justice, and spiritual practice, we invite you to make that yes public by becoming a member here.

Ann Arbor Community Church is a community born out of a deep, 50-year legacy of worship, justice, and Spirit-led formation in Ann Arbor.

Whether you’ve been with us for decades or joined us last week, we believe God is gathering us to be a spiritual home for those drawn to the way of Jesus and the work of healing the world. Membership is one way we step into that shared story together.

Membership is mutual commitment.

As a member, you’re saying:

• I belong to Jesus—and to this church.
• I want to be known and shaped in my discipleship.
• I will show up, serve, give, grow, and go—by the grace of God.

As a church, we’re saying:

• We see Christ at work in you and welcome you fully.
• We commit to care for you, walk with you, and help you grow.
• We will call you toward Christlikeness with honesty and grace.

Membership isn’t about having arrived. It’s about moving together toward the center—toward Jesus.

Becoming a member is a journey of reflection and relationship. Here’s what that process looks like:

1. Participate
   1. Worship with us regularly. Learn our rhythms and values.
2. Attend a Membership Class
   1. Explore our story, beliefs, and practices. Ask questions and get to know others who are discerning membership.
3. Meet with a Pastor or Leader
   1. Share your story and discern your next steps in community.
4. Be Baptized (if not already)
   1. Baptism is our public “yes” to Jesus. If you haven’t yet been baptized, we’ll guide you through this milestone.
5. Make a Public Commitment
   1. Membership culminates with a joyful welcome during a Sunday gathering. We’ll pray for you and bless your journey.

When you become a member of Ann Arbor Community Church, you’re committing to:

• Worship regularly
• Practice prayer, Scripture, and Sabbath
• Serve others with humility and joy
• Give financially with generosity and consistency
• Grow in love through small groups and spiritual friendships
• Bear witness to Jesus in everyday life

And in return, the church commits to support your spiritual growth, offer pastoral care, and walk with you in every season of life.

Membership is not required to worship, join a group, receive communion, or participate in the life of our church. It’s simply one expression of deeper commitment for those who feel called to go further with us.

If you’re still healing, exploring faith, or just getting to know us, take your time. There’s no rush—and no pressure. You are welcome here.

Membership is not the finish line—it’s the starting point for spiritual leadership.

In our community, leadership isn’t reserved for the elite. It’s about direction, not perfection. If you’re moving toward Jesus, you can lead.

We don’t operate by rigid checklists. Instead, we use relational discernment. We look for people who:

• Are facing the center—Jesus—and moving toward him
• Are eager to grow and open to correction
• Live with integrity and humility
• Show up, serve, give, and love the church deeply

Leadership is just another step in discipleship. Through “tag along, try it on, take it on, pass it on,” we equip leaders as fellow pilgrims—not finished products.

We also recognize that leadership is contextual. Some roles require special discernment (e.g., working with minors). Others are shaped by the journey itself. We walk with grace and accountability.

Our membership and leadership are rooted in:

• A Centered-Set Vision: Jesus is the center, and we journey together toward him. No gatekeeping, no arbitrary boundaries—just movement and direction.
• An Egalitarian Ethic: Women and men lead in all levels of church life. We name and repent the historic injustices of patriarchy, racism, and exclusion.
• A Pilgrim Spirit: We are a people in motion—bringing treasures from many traditions and leaving behind what no longer serves the Gospel.
• A Prophetic Imagination: We believe “it doesn’t have to be this way.” We work alongside the Spirit to resist empire, liberate the oppressed, and embody a more just and joyful world.
• A Transformational Hope: We trust the Spirit to heal, restore, and shape us over a lifetime of surrender and service.

At its heart, membership is covenant. It’s how we say to one another:

“You are not alone. I am with you. Together, we follow Jesus.”

This is the invitation. To step in, to be known, to be changed, to be sent.

We’re so glad you’re here.