ownership

What is ownership?

The word member has interesting connotations in our culture. We are members at campus clubs, movie rental places, websites, academic societies, and other organizations. These memberships are painless to obtain and even easier to discard. The word member implies a sense of belonging, which can be healthy. However, being a member of a group can often portray exclusiveness to outsiders. Membership gives people access to an organization with limitations—authorized personnel only! The idea of church membership is not a biblical mandate but rather a development in church tradition.

1st Corinthians 12:27 states that “You are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” The body of Christ has two meanings in the New Testament. Jesus explained the most important understanding of “His body” to us at the Last Supper: “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19). The sacrifice of Jesus’ body paid the price for our sins and restored our relationship with God. If we accept this sacrifice we are ushered into “His body.”

The second understanding of “His body” is the universal group of people that follow Him: “You are the body of Christ.” Everyone who follows Jesus forms a community that is called the church. The main role of the church is to make known Jesus’ love for the world. So what relationship does “you are the body of Christ” imply? Resonate believes that membership is not the most appropriate description for us in Christ’s body. Being a part of a church is better comprehended with the word ownership. Throughout the New Testament, followers of Christ are called heirs or co-heirs to God’s kingdom (Titus 3:7, Romans 8:17, I Peter 3:7). The Greek definition of heir is “to possess or to own”. Therefore, each follower of Christ co-owns the church with and through Jesus Christ.

Why Become an Owner?

The challenge is to become an owner of Resonate. A member of an organization uses the facilities, gains from its services, takes a shower, and heads about their business. An owner makes the organization happen. Jesus wants His followers to make the church happen—go out and love people, nurture each other, and serve with your whole life. Ownership is a higher calling than membership. If you are a follower of Christ, then you are a co-owner of His church. Make Resonate happen. Becoming an owner of Resonate is a declaration that you are moving from being a consumer to being an investor that you are joining not simply the community of Christ, but the cause of Christ as well. The motivation behind becoming an owner is not what can be received, but what can be given. And yet, on a deeper level, ownership is an invitation to genuine intimacy. When people become owners, they are declaring submission of their lives to the spiritual authority of this community and welcoming genuine accountability in their spiritual journeys. What once was the standard for leadership is now our standard for ownership.

Ownership Covenant:

Invest your passions: Honor God by following Christ personally and passionately. Your reputation is Christ’s reputation and the church’s reputation.

Invest your talent: Participate in the life of the congregation through genuine worship, sharing, learning, and serving.

Invest your resources: Support the Gospel here and worldwide by tithing (10% of your income) and then by giving more as the Lord leads. Invest your time, skills, talents, and gifts in and through the church.

Invest your relationships: Develop authentic loving relationships with other in the church and establish significant relationships with those who do not know Jesus.