Membership

Becoming A Member of Standing Springs Baptist Church:

Q:  What does membership mean?

A:  Our church believes that a commitment to a local fellowship of believers is a hugely important spiritual step.  Because that commitment is described in the Bible(Acts 2:41-47), there is precedent for publicly identifying as a follower of Jesus with other believers.  

Q:  Why commit to a local church?

A:  There are 4 good reasons to make this commitment.

   1. The Biblical reason:  Jesus is committed to the church (Ephesians 5:25). 

   2. The Cultural reason:  it is the hope for our culture.  In a generation where few commitments are permanent or meaningful, in marriage, career, or politics, membership swims upstream to counter America’s “consumer religion”.  It is an unselfish decision.

   3. The Practical reason:  It defines who is dependable.  Every team has a roster, every school must have an enrollment, every business has a payroll, and every army has an enlistment.  Our country takes a census and requires voter registration.  Membership identifies our spiritual beliefs and family.

   4. The Personal reason:  It produces spiritual growth.  The New Testament places a major emphasis on the need for Christians to be accountable to each other for spiritual growth, through teaching, worshipping, using your gifts, and investing in the lives of others.  You cannot be accountable when you are uncommitted. 

Q:  How do I join?

A:  Membership follows your life-changing experience in becoming a follower of Jesus, baptism, and agreement with our beliefs.  At the conclusion of each worship service, people are invited to walk to the front of the church and privately express to the Pastor their desire to become a member.  The Pastor will ask you to be seated beside a host who will record any contact and previous membership information.  Then you will be introduced by the Pastor and the people will express their support for you.  At the next scheduled opportunity, you will be invited to attend a New Member’s Orientation Class to become familiar with our beliefs, organization, staff, and ministry opportunities and complete the membership process.



Q:   What do I say?

A:  There are 3 different statements that are acceptable to request membership:

1.  By stating that you have made or want to make a commitment to follow Jesus Christ and have been or are willing to be baptized by immersion to symbolize your new life. The Bible says that everyone has made choices to live apart from God and violate His rules (this is called sin), which has kept us from a relationship with God (Romans 3:23).  God loves us and sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to be punished for our sins by dying on a cross and make forgiveness possible (John 3:16).  If we are willing to turn away from our sins and controlling our own lives to God, ask forgiveness, and commit to follow Jesus the rest of our lives, then we will spend eternity with God in heaven (Romans 6:23 and Acts 2:38).  Following your life-surrender to Jesus, God expects you to be baptized as a sign of that your life has changed are you are fully committed to following Jesus for a lifetime.  Because baptism means “to immerse or dip”, we immerse believers in water.  Baptism is directly commanded by Jesus to unashamedly identify as His follower (Matthew 28:18-20), to display how your life changed (Romans 6:3-4), and to connect to the church (Acts 2:41).

2.  By requesting that your current membership in a church with similar beliefs be transferred to Standing Springs.  If you have previously committed your life to Jesus and been baptized by immersion in a church of similar beliefs, you qualify biblically to request membership.

3.  By making a statement of your experience and beliefs. There are two possible reasons for making this request.  First, might not be possible to secure a record of your membership, if your former church no longer exists.  Second, if you have been attending a church of another denomination, you can request membership by affirming your personal commitment to Jesus as a life-time follower, biblical baptism by immersion, and agreement with our beliefs..

Q:  What are the expectations for members?

A:  At Standing Springs, we never ask our members to do more than the Bible clearly teaches.  We expect our members to do whatever the Bible instructs for any believer.  These responsibilities are summarized in 4 simple statements:

     1.  A Member should protect the unity of the church (see Romans 15:5 / 1 Peter 1:22 / Ephesians 4:29 / Philippians 2:14 / Hebrews 13:17).  God expects you to act in love toward others, refuse to gossip or complain, and follow the leadership of the church.

     2.  A Member should share the responsibility of the church (see 1 Thessalonians 1:2 / Luke 14:23 / Romans 15:7).  God expects you to pray for the church to grow, invite others to attend, and embrace those who attend.

     3.  A Member should serve the ministry of the church (see 1 Peter 4:10 / Ephesians 4:1-12 / Philippians 2:1-8).  God expects you to discover your gifts, become trained to serve with the Pastor and staff, and develop a servant’s heart.

     4.  A Member should support the reputation of the church (see Hebrews 10:25 / Philippians 1:27 / 1 Corinthians 16:2 / Leviticus 27:30).  God expects you to attend and participate faithfully, live a life pleasing to God, and give a minimum of ten percent regularly.

 

GOT MORE QUESTIONS?  READY TO REQUEST MEMBERSHIP?

Please call the church office at 963-3453 and we will be glad to help.

 

 

 


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