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Membership

Membership at Huntington First Baptist Church

We believe that belonging to a church is more than a formality or tradition. It is also more than just showing up occasionally or when it is convenient. Membership is about belonging to this local body of Christ like your arm is a member of your body. The church needs you and you need the church. Belonging to a church is necessary to sustain our spiritual life and be obedient to Christ. 

Membership is also important in the “culturally-Christian” context we find ourselves in. In our context, most everyone you meet believes in Jesus but not very many belong to a church in any meaningful way. This is not the way Jesus intended for us when he died for His church. Officially joining our church as a member is a commitment to this church.

Membership is a commitment to:

  • Gathering together to learn God’s Word, worship together and grow as disciples through both corporate worship and small groups. 

Acts 2:42-47, Acts 11:26, Hebrews 10:24-25, Colossians 3:16

  • Making disciples in our local church body, in our community, and to the ends of the earth.

Matthew 28:18-20, Ephesians 4:11-16, Romans 10:14-15, 2 Timothy 2:2

1 Peter 4:10-11, Mark 10:45, 1 Corinthians 12:12-26, Romans 12:4-8

2 Corinthians 9:6-8, Matthew 6:19-21, 1 Timothy 6:17-19, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2

  • Uniting together over sound doctrine and shared belief in the gospel.

1 Corinthians 1:10, Philippians 1:27, 2:2, Romans 14:19, Ephesians 4:11-16

  • Reconciling with other church members when sin tries to divide us.

Matthew 18:15-20, Romans 12:18, Ephesians 4:32, Hebrews 12:14

  • Submitting to our leaders and holding them accountable to teach God’s Word faithfully. 

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, Hebrews 13:7, 17, Acts 17:11, 1 Timothy 3:16

Any Christian may join First Baptist Church through one of three ways:

  1. By profession of faith and subsequent baptism.
  2. By transfer of letter from another Baptist Church of like faith and order.
  3. By statement of prior conversion experience and Scriptural baptism.

Those who wish to join our church can speak with one of our pastors after Sunday Worship or set up a meeting with them during the week. Once you present yourself for membership, the church will vote to receive you at the next monthly Family Conference.

Byron Smith, Senior Pastor – byron@huntingtonfbc.org

MEMBERSHIP MATTERS CLASS

Once you become a member of our church, you will need to go through MEMBERSHIP MATTERS. It is an orientation to who our church is and what our church does and will be taught by our Senior Pastor.

Membership Matters will be offered on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am during the Life Group time. If you have childcare needs, you can drop off your kids in Life Groups in the Nursery or Warehouse before you come. Membership Matters will be taught on the second Sunday of these months each year.

  • January
  • April
  • July
  • October

Membership in the Huntington FBC Constitution

Section 1. Candidacy

No persons shall be denied membership solely because of race or nationality. Any persons may offer himself as a candidate for membership in this church at any regular church service in the following ways:

  • By profession of faith and for baptism according to policies of this church.
  • By promise of a letter from another Baptist Church of like faith and order.
  • By statement of prior conversion experience and scriptural baptism when no letter is obtainable. Scriptural baptism is understood to be by immersion, after one’s conversion experience and as an outward symbol of salvation.

Upon completion of the requirements of membership for acceptance as a regular member. A three-fourths vote of those church members present and voting shall be required to elect such candidates to membership.

Section 2. Right of Members

  1. Every member of the church is entitled to vote at all elections and on all questions submitted to the church in conference, provided the member is present.
  2. After an adequate period of time any member is eligible for consideration by the membership as candidates for elective office in the church. The position of Pastor and Deacon shall be filled by male members only.
  3. Every member of the church may participate in the ordinances of the church as administered by the church.

Section 3. Termination of Membership

Membership shall be terminated in the following ways.

  1. By death of a member
  2. Dismissal to another Baptist Church by letter
  3. Exclusion by action of the church
  4. Erasure upon request or proof of membership in a church of another denomination.

Section 4. Discipline

It shall be the practice of this church to emphasize to its members that every reasonable measure will be taken to assist any troubled member. The Pastor, other members or the church staff, and Deacons are available for counsel and guidance. The attitude of members toward one another shall be guided by a concern for reconciliation rather than punishment.

Should some serious condition exist which would cause a member to become a liability to the general welfare of the church, the Pastor and the Deacons will take every reasonable measure to resolve the problem in accord with Matthew 18. If it becomes necessary for the church to take action to exclude a member, a three-fourths majority of the votes of the members present at a regular business meeting is required; and if approved, the church may proceed to declare the person to be no longer in the membership of the church. All such proceedings shall be pervaded by a spirit of Christian kindness and forbearance. This same consideration shall be afforded to staff members and their families in the event of termination since they are also members of the church.

The church may restore to membership any person previously excluded upon request of the excluded person, and if such restorations recommended by a majority vote of the Deacons.