Membership in various churches differs as the understanding and responsibilities of membership are established. It is often confusing for people who want to join a church to understand these differences. Membership in the congregation (local church) is often confused with membership in the Spiritual or Universal Church. To address some of these issues, the DiscipleCenter has a multi-level membership structure.

Membership at the DiscipleCenter is based on levels of participation and maturity in the Christian faith. Four basic levels exist.

CONGREGATIONAL MEMBER: Persons who regularly attend the DiscipleCenter as their primary congregation for worship and discipleship are members of the congregation. These persons may be new believers who have not been baptized or, more often, young children or spouses of believers who have not yet made a profession of faith as a believer.

CHURCH MEMBER: A congregational member over the age of 12 who has been baptized as a believer, and who is struggling to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord and our common faith is a member of the church. The term church here is used in the Biblical sense. The DiscipleCenter is not the church but the believing members of the DiscipleCenter are part of the Biblical Church of God.

ASSOCIATE MEMBER: Persons who are active members in other congregations but attend the DiscipleCenter supplemental to their regular participation and membership in another congregation are considered as associate members. These people most often live out of the area and participate with us through our web site and for Holy Days or during seasonal visits to this area.

CORPORATE MEMBER: A believing member who has been baptized and is at least 18 years old (but usually is 30 or over) and has reached a maturity in the faith and in participation in the congregation to demonstrate an intention and ability to serve as a steward of the DiscipleCenter Ministry. (This level of membership meets the legal requirements for voting and participating in the corporation of The DiscipleCenter, INC.)