As we enter our 17th year as a church, we are restructuring and updating the pathway to membership and discipleship. In this blog, we’ll go over the following:
- Why Do We Participate in Membership?
- What was the process before? Why is it changing?
- Whatâs Different Now?
- New Membership Entrance
Why Do We Participate in Membership?
Being part of the body of Christ is vital to our discipleship in Christ and in our spiritual formation
towards Christlikeness for the sake of others.
Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12, âThere is one body, but it has many parts. But all its many parts make
up one body. It is the same with Christ. We were all baptized by one Holy Spirit. And so we are formed
into one body. It didnât matter whether we were Jews or Gentiles, slaves or free people. We were all given
the same Spirit to drink. So the body is not made up of just one part. It has many parts.â
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
One of our main values at EKKO is Covenant. As God has loved us, we believe we respond to His love in our commitment to the local church. Covenant membership in the local body of Christ covers and matures us as we love God and love others, especially when we donât feel like it or when we feel weak in our faith (Galatians 6). A church knit together in Christ-like covenant is resilient, trustworthy, and united. We believe Christ deserves a united church.
To learn more about Covenant, you can listen to our teaching on it here.
Covenant membership with the church strengthens us and one another for Godâs mission and discipleship.
What was the process before? Why is it changing?
Previously, the membership process at EKKO looked like participating in Orthopraxis â our introduction to
discipleship at EKKO. This was an intensive 12-week cohort-based teaching offered once a year.
Those wanting to become a member at EKKO would complete this program to begin participating in
other member-specific opportunities and begin serving on a monthly basis in various departments of
the church.
In the early years, this membership process set the foundational stage that instilled the culture and
values of EKKO. But over time, leadership recognizes the changes in both the season and the
demographics of our church. Those who were not able to take Orthopraxis due to a lack of childcare,
conflicting work schedules, and uncompromising commitments were experiencing gaps in care and
formation, even though they longed to make EKKO their home. We saw that the previous way of
membership made it challenging for some people to enter more fully into the life and mission of the
church.
Whatâs Different Now?
A More Accessible & Intentional Pathway to Discipleship at EKKO
As our membership process transitions from the 12-week Orthopraxis completion to a one-day
membership class, we hope to provide both an accessible entry into a covenant with EKKO as well as
intentionally develop a more robust and ongoing pathway of discipleship.
Once the membership process is completed, EKKO is committed to offering a holistic expression of
discipleship and spiritual formation. Guided by the Holy Spirit, we enter into various expressions of
ministries at EKKO with the intention of meditating on and practicing the way of Jesus together in
community and representing him well in our spheres of life and influence for Godâs glory. Currently, we
are in the process of reimagining and further developing the discipleship pathway, which is planned to
be introduced in 2026.
Discipleship Expressions at EKKO:
Membership is the commitment to accountable discipleship at EKKO Church.
Our desire is not only to provide a simple onboarding process for people who want to become members, but also to provide a pathway to more intentional connection and discipleship once membership is committed.
Accessibility and the starting point for everyone will be easier and less restricted without compromising our values of covenant and discipleship.
New Membership Entrance
Anyone interested in becoming a member at EKKO will take a one-day membership class – EKKO 101 (offered twice a year) in order to learn what membership entails. Upon completion of the class, a membership covenant form will be offered to confirm membership. The following week, newly confirmed members are invited to lunch with the Pastors of EKKO and introduced as new members during Sunday Service.
Step 1: Sign Up for a Class
(Offered at least twice a year)
Step 2: Attend Membership Class
(One day, In-Person)
Sunday, August 10, 2025, at 1 pm – 2:15 pm at the EKKO Office in Fullerton
- What does membership look like?
- What is EKKO about?
- What ministries/departments exist at EKKO, and where am I allowed to serve immediately?
Step 3: Commit to Becoming a Member
EKKO Membership & Discipleship Commitment Form
Step 4: Onboarding Begins
- Attend a Pastor’s Luncheon – Get connected to pastors
- Next Luncheon is on Sunday, August 17 at 12pm at the EKKO Office in Fullerton
- Begin Serving – Get connected to a ministry
- Participate in Missions – Get connected to missional outlets
- Specific Teachings on Discipleship – Sign up for Orthopraxis* or Advance
We believe members who are discipled well will practice covenant and serve the Body cheerfully and wholeheartedly.
If you have any questions, please email Heidi Min at Heidi.Min@ekkochurch.com or Pastor Joanne at Joanne.Moon@ekkochurch.com
*Orthopraxis is planned to resume in 2026