FAQ on NEC Membership

Is membership required at NEC?

No. Everyone is family here. Membership is just an invitation to officially call NEC your church home and be intentional about growing in faith, supporting the mission and sharing Christ's love with others.

What does membership mean at NEC?

Since opening our doors, NEC has been steadfast in creating a safe and loving space where everyone feels genuinely welcome. This is made possible by those who call NEC their church home and are committed to extending that same love and welcome to others.

Membership at NEC isn’t about exclusive rights or obligations— it’s about joining a shared journey where your unique presence and purpose enrich our community and further God’s work.

To belong here means being a vital part of our family, where your story matters, and you are invited to grow in faith, support our mission, and share God’s love with the world.

You will continue to be surrounded in love and friendship and, in addition, have greater and deeper access to church leadership and volunteer leadership positions, be invited to vote when voting is deemed the appropriate action by church leadership and experience deeper levels of community via membership gatherings, specific communications and other content.

I'm not sure about becoming a member. How should I think this through?

Pray and ask for wisdom about this decision. Attend a Belong session - our official membership class - and bring your questions with you.

And if any of these apply to you, we'd encourage you to consider the process.

• You've attended a 'Get to Know NEC' session and you like what you heard OR you've been attending for more than a year - you kind of know us by then!
• Your faith is growing (by the way there is no end destination!)
• You are beginning to experience what it feels like to be part of the NEC community
• You want to officially name NEC as your church. This not only connects you with others, memberhsip opens up certain levels of 'in-house' communications and leadership opportunities

What are the requirements of a member?

Membership is an organizational term that simply means you want to officially be a part of our community. We are excited about that! NEC owes its success and effectiveness to its community members. To help care for and protect the NEC community we make the following commitments to each other.

By agreeing with the mission of NEC to experience, embrace, and express the love of Christ, you are joining a shared journey where your unique presence and purpose enrich our community and further God’s work.

As a member, we promise to embrace a life of:

• (radical) love: I promise to build relationships that reflect Christ’s heart, listening deeply and loving unconditionally. I promise to foster unity within NEC by engaging in honest, direct, and grace-filled conversations, refraining from gossip, and seeking reconciliation where there is conflict.

• (radical) generosity: I promise to give joyfully and sacrificially of my time, talents, and resources, trusting God to multiply my contributions for the flourishing of this church and the world. My life will reflect an open-handed approach to sharing the blessings I have received.

• (radical) growth: I recognize that faith is a lifelong journey, not a destination. I commit to seeking growth in my relationship with God and others, allowing Him to transform me and help me discover and use my gifts for His purpose.

• (radical) hospitality: I will actively contribute to NEC’s culture of radical hospitality by welcoming new people, building connections, and showing kindness and grace to everyone I encounter, especially those who feel far from God.

As an NEC member, you will continue to be surrounded in love and friendship and, in addition, have greater and deeper access to church leadership and volunteer leadership positions, be invited to vote when voting is deemed the appropriate action by church leadership and experience deeper levels of community.

I've been attending NEC for a long time and already give and volunteer. Is membership necessary?

No, it is not. That's entirely up to you. If you feel drawn towards this invitation, please consider attending the Belong class and you can decide from there.

Um, I'm not entirely sure if I am a member or not?

We get this question a lot so do NOT feel bad. The membership process was on hiatus for quite some time due the pandemic. Let me ask you this, do you remember sharing your faith jourrney (either in person or in written form) with one of the pastors? That's the final step in becoming an official member. If you don't remember that, consider entering the process. If you do remember this and are being contacted about being a member, then our database has it wrong. Just email Heather and she will update it all. Thank you!