How do I become a member?

This is a common question we are asked (and a great one!) Our answer is in the form of some questions: Have you been born again? Would you like to commit to being a contributing part of our church body? Come to a new member class to discover membership at Reality Santa Barbara.

What is membership?

We believe that when a person is brought into the spiritual family of God through rebirth by the grace through faith, and the power of the Holy Spirit, that they are instantaneously made a member of the body of Christ (the Church). Membership, then, happens at the moment of spiritual rebirth. If you are born again, you are a member of Christ’s body. The follow-up question would be, “Are you a functioning member of the local church or not?” As members of the local church, we desire to grow into our identity, not only as followers of Christ, but as members of our local church. A few times per year, we offer a short membership class where you can come to discover where we’ve come from as a church, where we are heading, and how you can engage with the Reality Santa Barbara church body.

Best Practices

Below are seven best practices. We believe that a functioning member of our church body endeavors to practice these things. We see these characteristics in Jesus’ followers in the New Testament, and also pledge to grow into the same.

1. GATHERING

Part of being a functioning church member is to gather in His presence with the church body on a weekly basis (Acts 20:7; Heb 10:25). Regularly taking part in our Sunday morning gatherings is an important part of the formation God’s people.

2. LEARNING

Growing in our identity as followers of Jesus also means learning about what Jesus loves (John 17:3; Matt 11:29; Phil 1:9). There are many things to learn about following Jesus. Here are a handful of classes in the future that will help you get started on what we believe to be fundamental.

3. BELONGING

Part of being a member of the local church body is forming deep, spiritual relationships within the church (Acts 2:42; Acts 4:32-34; 2 Cor 13:14; 1 John 1:7). Small groups are one of the main ways we do that.

4. SERVING

Since Jesus was the greatest at serving (Mark 10:45), part of what it means to follow Jesus and to be a growing member of the local church is to serve others both within the church and out in the community (1 Pet 4:10).

5. DEVOTION

Following Jesus is foremost about being with Him (Mark 3:14; John 15:4-5). One of the most powerful ways to do this is by slowing down to be with him through His Word (1 Pet 2:2) and in prayer (Dan 6:10; Psalm 119:164; Mark 6:46)

6. GIVING

Part of growing in your relationship with Jesus is learning how to be a good steward of money and by giving generously as an act of worship (2 Cor 9:7). God calls his people to this is through the practice of giving tithe , which is the first 10% of what we make (Mal 3:10; 1 Cor 16:2). 

7. REACHING

Followers of Jesus are known by their love for one another (John 13:35), their love for their neighbor (Mark 12:33), and are commissioned to make disciples (Matt 28:16-20).