What it Means to be a Member..........
1. Being a member of the church is more than having your name on the roll or coming to a worship service or even being involved in an auxiliary. Being a member of the church means being a part of a body of believers who function together to carry out the will of their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2. Being a member means that you are a part of something bigger than yourself and identifies you as a genuine believer. You become a part of a spiritual family to support and encourage you in your walk with Christ. You have a place to discover and use your gifts and talents in service to the Lord. As a member you are placed under the spiritual protection of godly leaders and you are provided the accountability needed to grow.
3. In addition, there are some requirements prescribed for membership. They are as follows:
- Publicly acknowledge you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.
- Complete the New Members Orientation Class
- Fulfill, to the extent possible, all of the covenant obligations set forth by our Church Covenant, which is discussed in detail in the orientation.
Our CHURCH COVENANT
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior; and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God, angels and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body if Christ.
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge and holiness; to give it a place in our affections, prayers and services above every organization of human origin; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrine; to contribute cheerfully and regularly, as God has prospered us, towards its expenses, for the support of a faithful evangelical ministry among us, the relief of the poor and the spread of the Gospel throughout the world. In case of difference of opinion in the church, we will strive to avoid a contentious spirit, and if we cannot unanimously agree, we will cheerfully recognize the right of the majority to govern.
We also engage to maintain family and secret devotion; to study diligently the Word of God; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintance; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be kind and just to those in our employ, and faithful in the service we promise others; endeavoring in the purity of heart and good will towards all men to exemplify and commend our holy faith.
We further engage to watch over, to pray for, to exhort and stir up each other unto every good word and work; to guard each others reputation, not needlessly exposing the infirmities of others; to participate in each others joys, and with tender sympathy bear one anothers burdens and sorrows; to cultivate Christian courtesy; to be slow to give or take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, being mindful of the rules of the Savior in the eighteenth chapter of Matthew, to secure it without delay; and through life, amid evil report, and good report, to seek to live to the glory of God, who hath called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.
When we remove from this place, we engage as soon as possible to unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of Gods Word.