mission membership
The way we pursue holistic discipleship and participate in the mission of God together.
our foundation and commission
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18–20
A family on mission
The priority of the church in the mission of God necessitates that followers of Jesus be embedded within a local church, as a family, for the purpose of engaging in the mission of God. We believe that the best and most biblical way for us to do that is through Mission Membership.
Mission Membership makes Collective Church a definable group of people that we identify with and partner with, through relationships we embrace, responsibilities we take on, and commitments we make. The collective nature of the church cannot be overstated. It’s about “we” and “us”, not “I” and “me”.
Together, we can function as a family of faith where we are responsible to and for one another, with a shared mission, vision, values, and calling to represent the kingdom of God on the Westside of Los Angeles.
“It is not so much the case that God has a mission for His church in the world, as that God has a church for His mission in the world. Mission was not made for the church; the church was made for mission.”
- Author, Christopher Wright
the process
The Mission Membership process is very intentional and is intended to be a meaningful investment in our church family, not merely a quick process where we simply check off boxes.
It starts with the Discover phase, which involves three classes designed to inform people on the following:
Discover Collective
The history, mission & vision, philosophy of ministry, and emphasis of Collective Church.Discover Doctrine
The theological beliefs that guide and shape everything we do.Discover Mission Membership
The nature, purpose, and commitments of Mission Membership.
It’s entirely possible that after taking these classes some people will decide to not continue on in the Mission Membership process. That’s precisely why have these Discover Classes upfront.
Then we shift to the Equipping phase which involves six additional modules in a small group setting.
After someone completes the equipping phase, they meet with their regional pastor, and lastly, new Mission Members are presented to our church family at one of our Sunday services.
the purpose
As Mission Members, we endeavor to follow Jesus together, belong as family, and steward our resources as we engage the mission of God.
It is a tool that helps us move people towards what we believe and teach are the biblical marks of a disciple.
It will also help accomplish the following:
Align God's people with God's intention for the local church.
Move people from individualism to collectivism.
Give people a tangible way to identify with, and express a commitment to our church family and our shared mission and vision, values, and calling.
Affirm a person’s profession of faith.
Identify our spiritual brothers and sisters that we are all responsible to and for.
Make it clear who the pastors are spiritually responsible for.
Set and clarify expectations of one another.
Cultivate theological and relational unity.
Create discipleship and equipping opportunities.
Stimulate spiritual growth.
Mobilize people to participate in God’s work.