Pursuing Membership
How to Pursue Membership
We are pleased that you have expressed interest in joining the membership of Brackenhurst Baptist Church. We are often asked what steps should be taken by those who desire to be members of our church.
The decision to join in membership with a local church is a serious and important decision for every believer. We firmly believe that formal church membership is a vital part of the Christian walk, but we do not believe that BBC is necessarily the right church for every believer. As you consider membership at BBC, here are a few practical steps to follow.
Attend Our Services
First, begin by attending our worship services. Attendance will give you a good feel for the general atmosphere of the church. You will be exposed to the preaching and corporate worship. Consider also joining one of our Family Bible Hour classes, which take place prior to the morning worship service, from 8:30 AM to 9:15 AM.
Read Our Membership Booklet
Second, download and read a booklet produced by our elders, which addresses four basic questions: (1) What is a church? (2) What is the gospel? (3) What is a Baptist? and (4) What is a church member The boklet also contains the full text of our church covenant, which you will be asked to sign as a member of the church, and our confession of faith.
Join a Membership Information Class
Third, having read the booklet and being comfortable with proceeding, ask one of the elders about a membership information class, typically held on a Sunday morning during Family Bible Hour (8:30 AM – 9:15 AM), during which you will be introduced by one of our elders to the history and ethos of the church, and where you will have opportunity to ask clarifying questions. Once you have completed this, you will have opportunity to indicate your ongoing intentions to pursue formal membership.
Work through the Membership Material
Fourth, the membership process of BBC involves an existing member of the church leading you through the required membership material. Having followed the above steps, and having indicated your ongoing commitment to pursue membership, one of the elders will happily arrange for this to happen.
Having completed the membership material, and having expressed continuing commitment to church membership, prospective members will be interviewed by one or two of the elders. This meeting may include the person who has led you through the membership material. The elders want to establish that you are happy with the ethos and doctrine of the church. They want to confirm that you have been baptised by immersion as a believer. They want to hear about your conversion and your understanding of the gospel.
To prepare you for this interview, and to assist the elders in this regard, you will be sent a membership application form to complete. One of the elders will then arrange an interview date with you.
Once your interview is complete, and the elders are happy with your application for church membership, you will be asked to sign the church covenant and hand it to one of the elders. You will be asked for a family photograph so that you can be introduced to the church as a member applicant. Your name will be announced as a member applicant for at least two consecutive weeks to the church before you are formally affirmed as a member. If you need to be baptised, a baptismal service will be arranged at which time you will be baptised into the membership of the church. If you have been baptised elsewhere by immersion as a believer, you will be welcomed into membership during the course of a regular Sunday evening service.