ABOUT THIS CLASS

In this class we will explore the Bible’s idea of church as family? What exactly does this mean and what does it look like practically? We will take a deeper dive into some doctrinal distinctives of our church and explore why these matter for considering the “membership” in a local church.

“Family Membership” is open to anyone who wants to make Sideris their “home” church and commit to loving the spiritual family during this season of their life. Being a “family member” is not required to continuing to enjoy life in the Sideris community, but we do think there are some profound reasons to take steps of commitment, which we will explore in this class.

We hope this class will demystify the idea of “church membership” and help you and the local the church become everything God has designed it to be, for God’s glory and our good.

NOTE: Even if you are unsure if “Family Membership” is the right next step for you, we invite you to come as this class will help you learn a lot about Sideris and our core beliefs. You won’t be asked to make a decision during the class.

Saturday October 4th, 2025

Time: 9:00am -2:00pm

Light Breakfast & Full Lunch is provided

Childcare: Please indicate if you will need childcare at the class.

REGISTER BELOW

SNEAK PEAK AT FMC CLASS CONTENT

WHILE JESUS WAS STILL TALKING TO THE CROWD, HIS MOTHER AND BROTHERS STOOD OUTSIDE, WANTING TO SPEAK TO HIM. SOMEONE TOLD HIM, “YOUR MOTHER AND BROTHERS ARE STANDING OUTSIDE, WANTING TO SPEAK TO YOU.” HE REPLIED TO HIM, “WHO IS MY MOTHER, AND WHO ARE MY BROTHERS?” POINTING TO HIS DISCIPLES, HE SAID, “HERE ARE MY MOTHER AND MY BROTHERS. FOR WHOEVER DOES THE WILL OF MY FATHER IN HEAVEN IS MY BROTHER AND SISTER AND MOTHER.” MATTHEW 12:46-50

NOW THE ELEVEN DISCIPLES WENT TO GALILEE, TO THE MOUNTAIN TO WHICH JESUS HAD DIRECTED THEM. AND WHEN THEY SAW HIM THEY WORSHIPED HIM, BUT SOME DOUBTED. 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 28:16-20

OUR VISION FOR CHURCH MEMBERSHIP:

1. Church is family on a mission. Looking to the Christian Scriptures we find that Jesus used familial language to describe his relationship with his followers, the implication is that all who are united to him in faith are also united to the family of God; they are united to one another! A local church is a collection of individuals who take God’s mission, to make disciples all over the world, very seriously and pursue a shared theological vision for the mission in the particular place and time they live together in.

2. Family survives & thrives on shared responsibility. Father, mother, siblings, spouse, child, best friend; these are the most meaningful relationships that we will have in this life. In fact, when people experience a void in any of these relationships they carry a deep wound and an enduring lament as a result. For relationships to continue in health people must actively accept responsibility on behalf of another. Think of a healthy family: How are parents responsible for children? What responsibilities do siblings have to each other? The family of God is no different: What are the responsibilities of a healthy family member in the local church? Responsibility for another creates an interdependent relationship where honesty, vulnerability, mercy, and grace multiply, bringing glory to God. The enemies of God use anything at their disposal to keep us alone and isolated, both physically and through the absence of real interdependent relationships. However, the local church should major in relationships of significant responsibility that are activated in seasons of loss, trauma, need and fear.

3. Covenanting to responsibilities together. At Sideris, we hope to take Jesus’ call to family very seriously. Beginning with the Word of God (Bible), we explore these shared responsibilities amidst a city with diverse church expressions so that we might establish a clear list of responsibilities to covenant to (promise) and keep. We hope that the following lists provide clarity and direction for all who desire to make Sideris their “home church” and “worshipping family.” As you will see these commitments are three-directional: Leaders to Family Members; Family Members to Leaders; and Family Member to Family Member. Three-way communication and commitment is essential to any thriving local church.