Having received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and being in agreement with DeForest Evangelical Free Church’s statement of faith, Constitution and By-laws, purpose and mission, I now feel led by the Holy Spirit to unite with the DEFC fellowship. In doing so, I commit myself to God and to the other members to do the following: I Will Seek to be a Faithful Follower of Christ…

• by regularly seeking Him in prayer and Bible reading and study
• by inviting others to hold me accountable to the plain teaching of Scripture
• by pursuing honorable and loving relationships in my family, with my friends, co-workers and neighbors and in this church

  “Like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” (1 Peter 2:2) “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.” (Colossians 4:2) “Make sure nobody pays back wrong for wrong but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.” (1 Thessalonians 5:15) “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens and in this way fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:1-2)

I Will Protect the Unity of My Church…

• by acting in love toward other members
• by refusing to gossip
• by being responsive to the leadership God has established

  “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” (Romans 14:19)”Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.” (I Peter 3:8)”Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29)”Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.” (Hebrews 13:17)”Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work.” (I Thessalonians 5:12-13)

I Will Share the Responsibility of My Church…

• by praying for its growth
• by inviting the unchurched to attend
• by warmly welcoming those who visit
• by reaching out to others through my home and family life

  “And pray in the Spirit on a11 occasions, with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:18) “Then the master told his servant, “Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.” (Luke 14:23) “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” (Romans 15:7) “When God’s children are in need, you be the one to help them out. And get into the habit of inviting guests home for dinner or, if they need lodging, for the night.” (Romans 12:13 LB)

I Will Serve the Ministry of My Church…

• by seeking to serve more than be served
• by being equipped to serve by my pastor/elders
• by developing and using my gifts and talents to serve in and through my church

  “Each of you should look not only to your own interests by also to the interest of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus, who being in very nature God did not consider equality with God something to be grasped but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant.” (Philippians 2:4-7) “[God] gave…some to be shepherds and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” (Ephesians 4:11-12) “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” (I Peter 4:10)

I Will Support the Testimony of My Church…

• by attending faithfully
• by living a godly life
• by giving faithfully of the time, talents and treasures God has entrusted to me

“Let us not give up meeting together…but let us encourage one another.”(Hebrews 10:25)”Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” (Philippians 1:27)”The grace of God that brings salvation…teaches us to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives…” (Titus 2:11-12)”Each one of you, on the first day of each week, should set aside a specific sum of money in proportion to what you have earned and use it for the offering.”(I Corinthians 16:2 LB)”Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (II Corinthians 9:7)