Membership
Join the Arouca Baptist Church family
Why Membership Matters
Having received Christ as Lord and Saviour and been baptized, many believers feel led by the Holy Spirit to unite with a local church family. Membership at Arouca Baptist Church is a commitment to God and to one another.
Benefits of Membership
- It identifies you as a genuine believer. (Ephesians 2:19; Romans 12:15)
- It provides a spiritual family to support and encourage you in your walk with Christ. (Galatians 6:1-2; Hebrews 10:24)
- It gives you a place to discover and use your gifts in ministry. (1 Corinthians 12:14-18)
- It places you under the protection of godly leaders. (Hebrews 13:17; Acts 20:28-29)
- It gives you the accountability you need to grow. (Ephesians 5:21)
Requirements for Membership
- A personal profession of Christ as Lord and Saviour. Unified in salvation. (Acts 2:47)
- Biblical baptism as a public symbol of one’s faith. Unified in water baptism. (Acts 2:41)
- Completion of the Membership Class.
- A signed commitment to abide by the Member’s Pledge. Unified in doctrine, testimony, love and purpose.
THE MEMBER’S PLEDGE
Our Commitment to God and to One Another
1. I will protect the unity of my church
- by acting in love toward other members
- by refusing to gossip
- by following the leaders of the church
“Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” Romans 14:19
2. I will share the responsibility of my church
- by praying for its growth
- by inviting the unchurched to attend
- by warmly welcoming those who visit
“Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.” Romans 15:7
3. I will serve the ministry of my church
- by discovering my gifts and talents
- by being equipped to serve by my pastors
- by developing a servant’s heart
“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10
4. I will support the testimony of my church
- by attending faithfully
- by living a godly life
- by giving regularly
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another…” Hebrews 10:25
Membership Policies
Removal from membership
A member may be dismissed as a member only upon the occurrence of one or more of the following:
- Death.
- Request. Any member that wishes to transfer to another church of like faith and order shall be granted a letter of recommendation upon vote of the church in a regular business meeting.
- Removal. If any member is habitually absent for a period of six (6) months without due cause, they will be removed from the church membership, but only after efforts have been made to restore the member to faithfulness. (No person meeting this criteria shall be entitled to vote, to hold office, to teach or to take official part in the public services, e.g. to provide special music.)
- Erasure. By uniting with another church to which a letter of recommendation cannot be granted for reasons of unlike faith or practice.
- Dismissal. As a result of apostasy, heresy, or becoming an offense to the church by reason of flagrant non-Christian conduct without repentance.
Interested in Becoming a Member?
Get in touch to find out when the next Membership Class begins.