The Bible uses many metaphors to describe church, which include parts of a body (1 Cor 12v12-31, Ephesians 4v1-16), bricks in a building (Ephesians 2v19-22), members of a family (Galatians 4v4-7, Romans 8v14-17). These pictures all contain the idea of belonging, which is much more than attending. Church is not a spectator event, where we come to watch and be entertained, but a living family to which we each belong. A place where we are welcomed and accepted. A place where our contribution and participation in various ways is vital to the wellbeing of the whole. Membership expresses a commitment to one local church family. It is also legally how we are constituted - so whilst the elders and staff run the day to day stuff - big decisions need to be agreed by a vote of membership at members meetings. We encourage people who have been coming consistently for more than 3 months and contributing to All Nations to become formal members. This process involves meeting with one of the elders and then formally being commissioned at one of our members commissioning services which take place each term.