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Joining Calvary
The Importance of Membership
At Calvary Baptist Church, we recognize the need for formal
membership. We believe formal membership in a local church is
important for four reasons.
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A Biblical reason. Christ is
committed to the church. Ephesians 5:25 states, "Christ
loved the church, and gave His life for her." Membership is
an important step in demonstrating our commitment to Christ.
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A cultural reason. We live in an
age where very few want to be committed to anything . . . a
job, a marriage, or family. This attitude has produced
a generation of church hoppers and shoppers.
Membership swims against the current of America's consumer
mentality and is an antidote to society. Membership sets us
apart from the culture allowing us to preserve our
distinctive Christian beliefs and values.
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A practical reason. Membership
identifies our community and family. It defines who can be
entrusted with positions of leadership within the church.
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Lastly, a personal reason.
Membership produces spiritual growth. The New Testament
places a major emphasis on the need for Christians to be
accountable to each other for spiritual growth. A
person cannot be accountable when they are not committed to
any specific church family.
As you visit our church, we pray that you will consider all the
benefits and privileges of membership to a local community of
believers. Our prayer is that you will join us in our commitment
to sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.
Who Can Become A
Church Member?
Membership is open to anyone who has made a
profession of faith in Jesus Christ, believing in Him as Lord and
Savior. Calvary Baptist receives people into membership in one
of four ways depending on one's Christian background:
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I want to become a Christian. If
you are not a Christian, you may join when you are ready to
make a profession of faith in Jesus as Savior, to commit
your life to Him as Lord, and to be obedient to Him in the
command to be baptized. (On the left side of this page,
click on Getting
Right With God)
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I am a Christian from a non-Baptist
church. If your previous church involvement has been in
a non-Baptist church (Methodist, Lutheran, Assembly of God,
Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, etc.) you may join by a
statement of faith in Jesus and as a candidate for baptism.
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I am a member of another Baptist
Church. If you are currently a member of another Baptist
church, you may join by a transfer of letter from that
church.
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I am not currently a member of another
Baptist Church, but I am a Baptist and have been
baptized by immersion. If you do not want to request a
letter of membership from you previous Baptist Church you
may join by a statement of faith in Jesus.
How
Do I Become A Member of Calvary Baptist Church?
At the conclusion of each worship service, the pastor extends an
invitation to those seeking a personal relationship with Jesus
Christ and/or to those seeking membership in the church family.
Those who would like to respond publicly are invited to walk to
the front of the worship center where an associate pastor will
be waiting to greet you, get some information about why you are
coming forward, answer your questions, and introduce you to your
new church family.
You do not have to respond publicly. You may simply complete the
information on the "Welcome" slip which can be found inside each
worship bulletin, and place the slip in the offering plate at
the conclusion of the worship service. Please write your name
and other information requested. Underneath the personal
information area is a section labeled "My Decision Today." Check
the appropriate box which will indicate your decision to commit
your life to Christ, to request baptism. or, for those who have
already committed their life to Christ and have been baptized by
immersion, a request for church membership. There is also a
place in the decision section to request a time to talk with the
pastor or a staff member.
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