HillSong Church (Chapel Hill, North Carolina)

Why Become a Member?

We believe there are at least three reasons for formal church membership at HillSong. First, we believe the concept of church membership is biblical. While the term "church member" is never used in the Bible, the concept is implicit throughout the New Testament. Christians clearly identified themselves with a specific local church and were challenged to become devoted participants.

Second, formal membership is valuable to the leaders of the church as they seek to fulfill their God-given task of caring for the people of HillSong.

By its very nature and university context, HillSong attracts seekers, observers, and guests. We hope that will always be the case. But at some point it is important to identify those who comprise the HillSong "family"―the core that can be counted on to build and sustain the ministries of the church. Specifically, these are the folks who provide leadership as elders, deacons, teachers, and leaders of ministries. Additionally, members give guidance through their feedback and vote on matters requiring the overall approval of the church. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, experience shows that membership benefits the individual. In a culture where commitment is no longer highly valued, recognizable membership is an important step that moves a person from good intentions to committed participation―to publicly declare a commitment to Christ and to a community of faith. In this sense, membership can be a significant defining moment in a person's journey to become a passionately devoted follower of Jesus Christ.

How Do I Request Membership?

You may request church membership by one of the following:

Fill out a HillSong INFO Card with your name, address, and phone number and check the box that reads: I want to join this church.
Come to the front of the church during the ministry time and communicate your desire to become a church member to the pastor or a member of the ministry team.
Call the church office and indicate your desire to request church membership.

Once you've made your request for church membership, a member of the ministry team will contact you to discuss your request. If you meet the qualifications for membership listed below, you will be accepted into membership and encouraged to attend a Newcomers Class.

Who May Become a Member?

Any person who has expressed a personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, has been baptized as a believer ,and is committed to actively following Jesus Christ in discipleship may request church membership. If you are not already a follower of Christ and would like to know how to become one, simply indicate your desire to any member of the ministry team. There is absolutely nothing any of the ministers consider more important than helping someone establish a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Why Is Believer's Baptism Required for Membership at HillSong?

At HillSong, the Bible is the source of our beliefs, including our views on baptism. A few key passages help show the purpose baptism plays in the life of a Christian.

In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commands his followers to "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." Baptist is the means by which disciples are identified. Because Christ himself commanded baptism, Christ's followers willingly submit to it.

In passages such as Acts 2:41, 8:12, and 10:47-48, it is evident that the act of baptism came after an individual's decision to trust Christ for salvation. It was an outward sign of something that had occurred in the person's life (usually quite recently). No one would dream of being baptized unless he or she had made a decision to identify with Christ, and no one could make that decision for a person. The New Testament records the baptisms of adults who were believers, but never infants. Baptism can't give a person anything―spiritually speaking. It can only signify something that has already happened.

In Romans 6:1-11, Paul explains how the immersion mode of baptism identifies the believer with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Going under water depicts Christ's death and burial. Coming out of the water illustrates His resurrection. We believe the immersion mode of baptism best illustrates the work of Christ in a person's life.

If I'm a Christian, May I Still Become a Member of HillSong

if I Wasn't Baptized as a Believer?

Yes. However, we do ask that you be baptized. We make this request not out of judgment of your prior experience of baptism, but rather in affirmation of the New Testament practice of believer's baptism.

What Other Requirements Are There

Regarding Church Membership?

Other than those mentioned above, there are none. Yet, at the same time HillSong has expectations of those who are Christ followers. At HillSong it is a given that Christians are expected to grow in all areas of their Christian life. Equally as important is the expectation that members will be engaged in active witness and ministry to the world. Christ would expect nothing less.