BECOMING A MEMBER OF PEOPLE'S BAPTIST CHURCH
We believe when a person trusts Christ as Savior that person is born again by the Spirit of God and is brought into the body of Christ. Furthermore, the new believer is now a part of the family of God. We also want you to be a tangible part of God's family here at People's Baptist Church. We want to be a fellowship where you can find meaningful relationships and a spiritual family to connect with. Becoming a member of PBC is far more than just a tag or a title; you become part of a family.
With membership comes a great responsibility. Below, you will find some of the steps to becoming a member along with some of the responsibilities entailed in membership.
One of the initial steps to being a member is letting us know of your desire to join. You will be asked to share your testimony of salvation with one of our pastors. We have deacon care groups at PBC so our deacons will also be interested to hear how you came to know Christ as Savior. You will want to read our doctrinal statement and church constitution so that you will know the structure of the church and how leadership works within the local body here at People's.
Another step in the membership process is being water baptized as a consenting believer (as opposed to infant baptism). We desire to follow the command of Jesus as well as following the example set by Jesus of water baptism. Once all this takes place and our congregation has voted, you will be officially brought into our church family.
If you want more information about church membership, call our church office at (301) 473-5635 and ask to speak to one of our pastors. We would be delighted to hear from you.
PEOPLE'S BAPTIST CHURCH MEMBERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES
A. I WILL PROTECT THE UNITY OF MY CHURCH
· By acting in love toward other members.
· By refusing to gossip.
· By following the leaders.
"Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:" Romans 15:5
".obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:" 1 Peter 1:22
"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." Ephesians 4:29
"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watchyou're your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you." Hebrews 13:17
B. I WILL SHARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MY CHURCH
· By praying for its growth and spiritual health.
· By seeking the salvation of those without Christ and inviting them to attend.
· By participating in a ministry lovingly building up the body of Christ.
"We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers." 1 Thessalonians 1:2
"Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled." Luke 14:23
"Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God." Romans 15:7
C. I WILL SERVE THE MINISTRY OF MY CHURCH
· By discovering and using my gifts and talents for the glory of God.
· 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
"(God) gave...some pastors and teachers for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." Ephesians 4:11-12
"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." Philippians 2:3-4
D. I WILL SUPPORT THE TESTIMONY OF MY CHURCH
· By attending faithfully.
· By living a Godly life.
· By tithing regularly.
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:25
"Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel." Philippians 1:27
"Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come." 1 Corinthians 16:2
"And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's: it is holy unto the Lord." Leviticus 27:30
