The church is a big deal to Jesus and it should be a big deal to us too.
We’d love to have you as part of our church family!

Membership is a biblical invitation to move from attending to belonging. It’s a way to step into deeper community, where we encourage one another (Hebrews 10:24-25), serve with our spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12), and live in mutual accountability (Galatians 6:1-2, James 5:16, 1 Thes. 5:11). It’s not about checking a box—it’s about saying yes to the calling of Christ to be His body, connected and committed. Our Membership Class will help you explore what that looks like here.

MEMBERSHIP IN A LOCAL CHURCH IS IMPORTANT. HERE’S WHY:

• The Church is a big deal to Jesus and it should be a big deal to us.
• A church family identifies us as genuine believers when we come together to love from different backgrounds, races, and social statuses (John 13:35).
• Being a follower of Jesus means that you are involved in a local church.
• A local church is the primary way we can reach a lost world.
• A church family moves us out of self-centered isolation to learning to care about others (1 Corinthians 12:26).
• The church changes you. Why? Because that’s where Jesus is at work. Your life will change and you will grow in many ways when you join a local church.
• A church family helps us develop spiritual muscle by participating in the full life of a local church (Ephesians 4:16).
• The Body of Christ needs every one of us because every believer plays a unique role in God’s family (1 Corinthians 12:7).
• You are protected in a local church because Jesus will protect His Church.
• Satan loves detached believers because they are defenseless and powerless against his tactics (2 Corinthians 8:5).

Membership Class:
Saturday, February 28, from 9 am - 12 pm | Room 214

led by Pastor Jay and Becky, and Pastor Gabe

In this class, we will learn WHY belonging to a local church is so important. We will go over what membership means not only for you, but for the Body of Christ as a whole. If you’re ready to grow, serve, and walk in faith with others, then this class is your first step. Let’s become the church—together.

Along with learning why membership is so important, we will cover questions about our church such as: What does "Free" mean in our church name? What exactly is covered in our Statement of Faith? What's the history of EFCCL? Why do I hear so much about Follow, Connect, Make? How is tithing a form of worship? How can I grow spiritually at EFCCL?

*Note: A Membership Application will be given out to you at this class. You may or may not decide to pursue membership, and that’s ok—attending this class does not mean you must apply for membership at EFCCL.

click here to register for this membership class

Expectations of a Member:

As a member of the Evangelical Free Church of Crystal Lake, you will be asked to sign the following Membership Covenant. We recommit ourselves to these values at the beginning of each congregational meeting.

Trusting in Jesus Christ for my salvation and declaring Him to be my Lord, and fully understanding the statement of faith, I now feel led by the Holy Spirit to unite with the membership of the Evangelical Free Church of Crystal Lake. I commit myself to God and the church membership to accept the following responsibilities. When I can no longer do so, I promise to quietly withdraw my membership.

  • I will protect the unity of our church fellowship. (See Romans 15:5-6; Ephesians 4:1-16, 25-32; Hebrews 13:17; and 1 Peter 1:22.) I will do this by acting in love towards other members, refusing to gossip, and following our leaders.

  • I will share in the responsibility of my church family. (See Ephesians 1:15-23; 3 John 2, 5; Romans 15:7; and Luke 14:23.) I will do this by praying for its health and growth, inviting the unchurched to attend and meet Jesus, and warmly welcoming people I don’t know.

  • I will serve Christ through the ministries of my church. (See Ephesians 4:11-13;
    1 Corinthians 12:1-31; Philippians 2:1-11; and Romans 12:3-13.) I will do this by developing
    a servant’s heart; discovering my spiritual gifts, talents, and how God has shaped me, using
    them for ministry; and agreeing to serve Christ alongside my church family.

  • I will support the testimony of Christ and my church. (See Hebrews 10:23-25; Philippians 1:27; Titus 2:1-15; and 2 Corinthians 9:6-8.) I will do this by participating regularly in worship services and encouraging others to do the same, living a lifestyle that will honor God, and giving faithfully and proportionately.

Have questions?
Contact:

Gabe Moore
Pastor of  Discipleship and Care Ministries
815-459-1095 x329
Email Pastor Gabe

Jackie Hayden
Discipleship and Care Ministries Assistant
815-459-1095 x 337
jhayden@efccl.org