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Since we see ourselves as a fellowship
of believers, united by their love and
hunger for God, it might seem odd to
seek membership into something you are
already a part of. Those who share our
fellowship with God over a period of
time are naturally a part of our
fellowship. Thinking in organizational
terms has always been somewhat foreign
to us. We still practice a formal
membership, since to some this may be an
important expression of an inner
reality.
By being a member in Ad Fontes one may
find oneself part of a Christian, local
church with its spiritual fellowship,
sacraments, spiritual guidance and the
protection inherent in community.
There is also the possibility of
associated membership. This form of
membership is a confirmation of the
unity and spiritual community which God
has created between people(s)
of different backgrounds and Christian
traditions. As associated members some
believers express their unity with us
while being full members in other
denominations. The associated membership
has also been created to make it
possible for students to have a church
in Lund during their years of study,
without having to break ties with their
home-churches.
Anyone who confesses the Christian faith
and is baptized is welcome as a member
of Ad Fontes. To those who contemplate
membership, we would like to remind of
the following vital principles for
Christian discipleship:
* The principle of community.
We neither live nor die for our own
sake. Fellowship with other Christians
is absolutely necessary in a Christian
life.
* The principle of sanctification
God does not change but we do. God is
constantly reshaping our lives so that
we should become like Jesus Christ. If
we love Jesus, we will want to keep his
commandments and do his will in all
areas of our lives. This is not always
easy, but we welcome this process of
change and desire each others’ support
and aid in the middle of it.
* The principle of servanthood
We believe that Jesus Christ has died
for us and that our calling now is to
live for him. The Christian life is
therefore a life in someone else’s
service. Our attitude in life will
therefore be to submit all we are and
have to the one who has taken us into
his service and whom we confess to be
our Lord.
* The principle of giving
This principle is close to that of
servanthood. All we have – our time, our
talents and resources – are loans from
him who has called us. An attitude of
giving and a habit of regularly giving
of our time, our talents and our
resources is therefore a natural
expression of having become Christians. |
