“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” (Romans 12: 3-8)

DSC holds the issue of church membership in high regard. Members function as the primary missionaries for the church to the culture. Members live, eat and breathe the climate of the Phoenix valley every day, placed in the culture to emulate Christ. We are called corporately as ambassadors of Christ to share and live the Gospel to those God—in His sovereignty— has placed in our lives. Apostle Paul said, “in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”

Membership is about more than having exclusive access to a members’ website; it is not a status symbol or social club. A member who enters into a covenant with their local church is called to a higher degree of responsibility; conversely, the elders and deacons are covenanted to assist their members first and foremost, to provide counsel, service, and aid, as well as to pray for, teach ,and guide as necessary.

To transition from a regular attender to an official member of DSC, we ask that you attend our Invitation to Partnership Class, where we look at an overview of Christian essentials with time for questions and discussion. Then you must sign a member's covenant. The DSC Membership Covenant is a stated commitment that we are living in community together and seeking to embody unity through the beliefs, values, and mission of DSC through active expressions of love and service. We ask that you pray about this decision and soberly consider becoming part of the church body here at DSC.

At DSC. it’s members who enjoy the privilege of Home Groups, LEAD Groups, Coffee Talk Groups and Home Builders.

DSC’s Home Group/Small Group Policy

While it can be easy to either get lost or to hide in a larger group, such as the Sunday morning service, small groups provide an opportunity to be known and to know others in our church. They are the key to connecting and growing with others on a more personal and honest level.

Through these relationships (within the small group) we mutually challenge and encourage one another and to have accountability one with another. Our small groups embody the core values of DSC, and therefore are open only to members of DSC.

A Word on Commitment to the Local Body

We believe that commitment to a local congregation is the foundation to building any relationship. Relationships thrive when there is commitment. They stay shallow when commitment is absent.

We believe that commitment to and involvement with one’s local congregation is imperative for the believer’s growth. When a believer commits to one local congregation he is saying, “I am called here. This is where God wants me to grow. I belong to you and you belong to me. I’m here to develop relationships built on trust; to learn to depend on the Lord and to be inter-dependent with my brothers and sisters.”

Often Christians will pick and choose where they “relate.” They might go to this church for the music or that church for the preaching and that other church for connection in a small group. This attitude impedes personal growth and keeps the body of Christ weak and immature. This is why we encourage those who “float” to have the courage to “plug in” to the life and fellowship of one church – not two.

We encourage fellowship with other believers in different congregations, as well as participation in certain church functions, seminars and events hosted by other congregations. Yet, today, because there is an epidemic of disconnectedness within the Body of Christ, we strongly encourage believers to make the effort to connect within his or her local fellowship.

DSC’s small groups are Home Groups, Men’s LEAD Groups, Women’s Coffee Talk Groups and Home Builders Groups.

* The exception for attendance in a small group would be regarding those who are regular attenders who are moving toward membership.