From Membership to Engagement: A New Church Model
When Life.Church began in 1996 in Edmond, Oklahoma, it followed a traditional membership model—attendees committed annually to a covenant to attend, give, serve, and join small groups. But within a decade, that changed.
“In the beginning, membership was a big deal because, as part of a denomination, that’s the way everybody was thinking,” said Kevin Penry, a longtime leader at Life.Church.
During one pivotal Commitment Sunday, Pastor Craig Groeschel did something unexpected—he invited other local churches to set up in the lobby so attendees could explore if Life.Church was truly the right fit for them.
“It created this freedom for people to evaluate, ‘Is this where I’m supposed to be?’” Penry said.
---
Why Life.Church Abandoned Membership
As Life.Church expanded into a multisite model, its leadership re-evaluated the purpose of “membership.” Bobby Gruenewald, a key innovation leader, explained:
“We’re focused on effectively reaching people in today’s culture. That means meeting people where they are, helping them take their next step—whether it’s serving, giving, or finding community.”
Today, instead of church membership, Life.Church emphasizes:
- Engagement through action
- Serving others
- Consistent small group involvement
- Generosity and outreach
---
A High Bar for Involvement—Without Membership
Life.Church doesn’t see this shift as lowering expectations. In fact, they raise them.
“We are spiritual contributors, not spiritual consumers,” says one of the church’s core values.
From pastors who speak directly to newcomers to Groeschel’s intentional, globally inclusive sermons, the church consistently focuses on helping people feel seen, welcomed, and invited to grow in faith.
“Engagement is the desired outcome of the terminology of membership,” Penry explains. “So why not cut straight to what we’re looking for?”
---
Key Takeaway: Church Membership Isn't the Only Path to Deep Engagement
Life.Church’s story offers a model for churches rethinking how to help people move from attender to contributor—without needing the label of "member."
**Adapted from Becoming a Future-Ready Church: 8 Shifts to Encourage and Empower the Next Generation of Leaders, pages 37-39**