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We are a multi-site church meeting in multiple locations around Joburg. GodFirst launched on January 30th 2005. Since that first Sunday meeting in Bryanston in 2005, the initial group of twenty missionaries has grown into the thousands.
We love God, love Joburg, and love to help people get the order in life right – which starts with putting God first. St Augustine said, ‘When our lives are not rightly ordered, our hearts are restless until they find their rest in God’. We are a church with a remarkable blend of people – young, old, black, white, rich and poor, and we delight in both the Word and the Spirit. And, we would love to help you. And maybe you could help us too. We can do more together than apart.
To find out more, get to a Get Connected, a short, punchy, no obligation evening or morning (depending on venue) for those considering becoming members. Find out where we’ve come from, where we are going, and how you can be part of the action. They usually run for about 2 hours and include light snacks and drinks.
WHY MEMBERSHIP?
FIVE REASONS WHY WE BELIEVE IN MEMBERSHIP:
1. It is stated in the Bible: “Those who accepted his message were baptised, and about 3,000 were added to their number… and the Lord added to their number daily” (Acts 2:41&47). The biblical pattern is people get saved then added to a local church.
2. It is implied in the Bible: The Bible describes local church life as warm and personal,[1] and the prominent “body” metaphor[2] for the church assumes functioning, meaningful membership.
3. Leaders and followers: The Bible cautions church leaders that they will be held to account for how they lead,[3] and equally followers are instructed to obey their leaders.[4] Both presuppose meaningful church membership.
4. New Testament structure: The epistles are written to local churches assuming all believers would be members of local churches and therefore hear these epistles.
5. New Testament discipline: In cases of on-going unrepentance Paul instructed the churches to expel members from the church. Don’t choose to live in this place voluntarily… join a church!
Individuals who have never experienced the joy and delight of belonging to a loving and vital Christian body have missed one of the thrills of the Christian life. Mere “church-going” was never in God’s plan for you. He wants you very closely knit with a group of dear friends with whom you can share your life. (Terry Virgo)
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