Partnership at GracePointe
GracePointe considers the members of our church to be Partners.
While we believe membership and partnership are both biblical terms, we prefer partnership because of the imagery in Philippians 1 and what it conveys. At GracePointe, we are more than members of a club or organization – we are partners with one another on a great mission in the local church. We are one body, one family, working together to proclaim the Good News of Jesus to our friends and neighbors. At GracePointe, we see membership in a local church more as a partnership in Gospel ministry with one another. We invite you to become a partner by Living, Giving, Serving, and Growing with us over time. It’s our hope that every partner of GracePointe embraces their calling and responsibility to live as an integral part of God’s family on mission together.
While we believe membership and partnership are both biblical terms, we prefer partnership because of the imagery in Philippians 1 and what it conveys. At GracePointe, we are more than members of a club or organization – we are partners with one another on a great mission in the local church. We are one body, one family, working together to proclaim the Good News of Jesus to our friends and neighbors. At GracePointe, we see membership in a local church more as a partnership in Gospel ministry with one another. We invite you to become a partner by Living, Giving, Serving, and Growing with us over time. It’s our hope that every partner of GracePointe embraces their calling and responsibility to live as an integral part of God’s family on mission together.
We've tried to make the partnership process at GracePointe a series of simple step-by-step actions. The overall process is designed to help you get to know GracePointe and for us to get to know you. Our process for covenanting together in partnership is detailed below.
Step 1
Make yourself familiar with the principles of GracePointe
If you are considering partnership with GracePointe, hopefully you are familiar with our what we believe as well as our mission statement, vision, and key values. But, if you are still unsure what is we believe and what motivates us, you can review each topic in detail by using the links below.
Step 1
Make yourself familiar with the principles of GracePointe
If you are considering partnership with GracePointe, hopefully you are familiar with our what we believe as well as our mission statement, vision, and key values. But, if you are still unsure what is we believe and what motivates us, you can review each topic in detail by using the links below.
What We Believe
Mission, Vision, & Values
What We Believe
Mission, Vision, & Values
Step 2
Review and affirm the Covenant of GracePointe
Once you've made yourself familiar with our principles and if you are still wishing to continue partnership with GracePointe, the next step is to review GracePointe's Partnership Covenant and affirm what it says. As a partner at GracePointe you will be held to the covenant as you do life with the rest of the GracePointe body of believers. If you are interested into the nature and reasoning for a church covenant, we'd encourage you to review the resources available by John Piper over at Desiring God.
Step 2
Review and affirm the Covenant of GracePointe
Once you've made yourself familiar with our principles and if you are still wishing to continue partnership with GracePointe, the next step is to review GracePointe's Partnership Covenant and affirm what it says. As a partner at GracePointe you will be held to the covenant as you do life with the rest of the GracePointe body of believers. If you are interested into the nature and reasoning for a church covenant, we'd encourage you to review the resources available by John Piper over at Desiring God.
GracePointe Partnership Covenant
Having, as we trust, been brought by divine grace to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and to give up ourselves to him, and having been baptized upon our profession of faith, in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, we do now, relying on His gracious aid, solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with each other.
1. We will work and pray for the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:1-3)
2. We will walk together in brotherly love, as is becoming of partners in a Christian Church, exercising an affectionate care and watchfulness over each other and faithfully admonish and entreat one another as occasion may require. (Hebrews 3:13)
3. We will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, nor neglect to pray for ourselves and others. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
4. We will endeavor to bring up such as may at any time be under our care, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and by a pure and loving example to seek the salvation of our family and friends. (Deuteronomy 6:7-9)
5. We will rejoice at each other's happiness and endeavor with tenderness and sympathy to bear each
other's burdens and sorrows. (Galatians 6:2) (Romans 12:15)
6. We will seek, by Divine aid, to live carefully in the world, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,
and remembering that, as we have been voluntarily buried by baptism and raised again from the
symbolic grave, so there is on us a special obligation now to lead a new and holy life. (Colossians 1:9-10)
7. We will work together for the continuance of a faithful evangelical ministry in this church, as we
sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines. We will contribute cheerfully and regularly
to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the
Gospel through all nations. (Acts 4:32-35)
8. We will, when we move from this place, as soon as possible, unite with some other church where
we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word. (Hebrews 13:17)
2. We will walk together in brotherly love, as is becoming of partners in a Christian Church, exercising an affectionate care and watchfulness over each other and faithfully admonish and entreat one another as occasion may require. (Hebrews 3:13)
3. We will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, nor neglect to pray for ourselves and others. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
4. We will endeavor to bring up such as may at any time be under our care, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and by a pure and loving example to seek the salvation of our family and friends. (Deuteronomy 6:7-9)
5. We will rejoice at each other's happiness and endeavor with tenderness and sympathy to bear each
other's burdens and sorrows. (Galatians 6:2) (Romans 12:15)
6. We will seek, by Divine aid, to live carefully in the world, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,
and remembering that, as we have been voluntarily buried by baptism and raised again from the
symbolic grave, so there is on us a special obligation now to lead a new and holy life. (Colossians 1:9-10)
7. We will work together for the continuance of a faithful evangelical ministry in this church, as we
sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines. We will contribute cheerfully and regularly
to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the
Gospel through all nations. (Acts 4:32-35)
8. We will, when we move from this place, as soon as possible, unite with some other church where
we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word. (Hebrews 13:17)
May the grace of the Lord Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all.
Amen.
Amen.
Step 3
Attend a GracePointe Partnership Foundations Class
Multiple times throughout the year, church elders conduct a Partnership Foundations Class with the aim to inform potential partners of the expectations associated with partnership at GracePointe. The class is taught over two days - Friday evening and Saturday morning - and covers such topics as: "what is a partner," "what we believe," "church life," "serving," and "next steps." At the conclusion of the class, the potential partner should be able to make an informed decision about further pursuing partnership with GracePointe. Assuming all parties are still interested in partnership pursuit, class attendees will review their completed Partnership Bio Form (Step 4) with an elder during a scheduled meeting (Step 5) during the next two weeks. Get started by signing up for a Partnership Foundations Class through our event management software Subsplash.
Step 4
Complete the Partnership Bio Form
Once you are signed up for a Partnership Foundations Class, you will receive an email with a copy of our Partnership Bio Form, or you can complete a digital version here. This form collects personal information, family information, church history (if applicable), your understanding of the Gospel, and provides you an opportunity to write questions for discussion during your elder meeting. A separate form is required for each member of your family wishing to pursue partnership. There is no age minimum for partnership at GracePointe, we hold all partners to the same criteria and expectations outlined in the covenant. In many cases, the parent may wish to consent to their child's decision to partner, as they will become subject to church discipline; prior to partnership, the sole responsibility for exercising this authority lies with the parent. If you prefer to submit a handwritten or emailed version of your partner bio form, that's also an option covered on the Partnership Bio Form page.
Step 3
Attend a GracePointe Partnership Foundations Class
Multiple times throughout the year, church elders conduct a Partnership Foundations Class with the aim to inform potential partners of the expectations associated with partnership at GracePointe. The class is taught over two days - Friday evening and Saturday morning - and covers such topics as: "what is a partner," "what we believe," "church life," "serving," and "next steps." At the conclusion of the class, the potential partner should be able to make an informed decision about further pursuing partnership with GracePointe. Assuming all parties are still interested in partnership pursuit, class attendees will complete the Partnership Bio Form (Step 4) at the conclusion of the session and schedule a meeting with one or more of the Elders (Step 5). Sign up for Partnership Foundations Classes is through our event management software Subsplash.
Step 4
Complete the Partnership Bio Form
Follow the link to complete the online Partnership Bio Form. This form collects personal information, family information, church history (if applicable), your understanding of the Gospel, and provides you an opportunity to write questions for discussion during your elder meeting. A separate form is required for each member of your family wishing to pursue partnership. There is no age minimum for partnership at GracePointe, we hold all partners to the same criteria and expectations outlined in the covenant. In many cases, the parent may wish to consent to their child's decision to partner, as they will become subject to church discipline; prior to partnership, the sole responsibility for exercising this authority lies with the parent. If you prefer to submit a handwritten or emailed version of your partner bio form, that's also an option covered on the Partnership Bio Form page.
Step 5
Meet with an Elder
Once you've attended a Partnership Foundation Class and submitted your completed Partnership Bio Form, a church elder will review the submission and contact you to arrange a time and place to conduct your elder meeting. It is our desire for prospective partners to spend time with the elders prior to covenanting with the corporate body. The purpose of elder conversations is to foster community with those desiring partnership, provide opportunity for clarification on anything related to GracePointe and the global Church, and to formally begin the process of providing care and counsel to our (prospective) partners. In cases when a single female is meeting one-on-one with an elder, the elder's wife will be present, likewise, when a child is meeting with an elder, the child's parent(s) will be asked to attend.
Step 5
Meet with an Elder
Once your Partnership Bio Form is submitted, a church elder will review the submission and contact you to arrange a time and place to conduct your elder meeting. It is our desire for prospective partners to spend time with the elders prior to covenanting with the corporate body. The purpose of elder conversations is to foster community with those desiring partnership, provide opportunity for clarification on anything related to GracePointe and the global Church, and to formally begin the process of providing care and counsel to our (prospective) partners. In cases when a single female is meeting one-on-one with an elder, the elder's wife will be present, likewise, when a child is meeting with an elder, the child's parent(s) will be asked to attend.
Step 6
Presentation and convenant with the body
Following your elder discussion, a recommendation will be made to the other elders of the church whether to continue forward with partnership or if more time is required in discussion prior to entering into the covenant with the partners of GracePointe. Once the decision is made to continue with partnership, you will be presented before the church, along with any other prospective partners, as having completed the partnership process and are being recommended by the elders to enter into the covenant with the existing partners of GracePointe. From there, you will have the duty and privilege of doing life with the partners of GracePointe in accordance with the Covenant and the Bible from which it is was crafted.
Step 6
Presentation and convenant with the body
Following your elder discussion, a recommendation will be made to the other elders of the church whether to continue forward with partnership or if more time is required in discussion prior to entering into the covenant with the partners of GracePointe. Once the decision is made to continue with partnership, you will be presented before the church, along with any other prospective partners, as having completed the partnership process and are being recommended by the elders to enter into the covenant with the existing partners of GracePointe. From there, you will have the duty and privilege of doing life with the partners of GracePointe in accordance with the Covenant and the Bible from which it is was crafted.