ARTICLE 4: Church Membership
Section 4.1: Acceptance for Membership
A. New Born Christian:
(See Appendix 4.1.A for doctrinal and procedural clarifications.)
A person who publicly professes faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, and declares a desire to live a Christian life, may be placed under the church’s Watch Care for a period of sixty (60) days. During this time, the church may observe for evidence of repentance and spiritual fruit, following the scriptural pattern exemplified by John the Baptist, who baptized only those who bore fruit in keeping with repentance (Matthew 3:8).
However, recognizing that under the New Covenant baptism may follow immediately upon a credible profession of faith—as seen in the baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:36–38)—the Lead Pastor, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, has discretion to proceed with baptism either immediately or following a period of Watch Care.
Baptism, being a direct command of the Lord Jesus Christ, shall not be subject to a vote of the congregation. Upon baptism, and after completing any additional orientation requirements as determined by the church, the individual may be presented to the congregation for acceptance into full membership.
B. Christians from Other Churches:
(See Appendix 4.1.B for doctrinal and procedural clarifications.)
Individuals who come from another church—by letter, statement of faith, or personal testimony—and who have received believer’s baptism by immersion may be considered for membership. They must also express agreement with the spiritual doctrines and practices upheld by this church.
A period of sixty (60) days shall ordinarily be observed before such individuals are presented for membership. A new member orientation class may also be required as part of the process, at the discretion of the Lead Pastor and/or Church Council.
In exceptional cases where a professing believer is physically unable to be baptized, but gives credible evidence of salvation and a desire to be part of this church body, the Lead Pastor and/or Church Council may recommend such an individual for membership, subject to approval by the congregation.
C. [REMOVED]
(See Appendix 4.1.C for rationale regarding the removal of the “By Proxy” section.)
D. Remote Membership
Remote Membership is recognized as a category for individuals who are unable to attend in person due to distance, physical limitation, or unavoidable scheduling conflicts, yet desire spiritual connection and accountability with this local body. Remote Members are not granted voting rights and are not included in quorum counts for church business but may be included in church communications and invited to participate in virtual gatherings, online discipleship, and other spiritual activities.
(For full guidelines regarding eligibility, privileges, and responsibilities, refer to Policies and Procedures, Section 16
Section 4.2: Denial of Membership
(See Appendix 4.2 for doctrinal and procedural clarifications.)
Membership may be denied to any individual who does not meet the requirements outlined in Section 1, including a credible profession of faith, believer’s baptism, and affirmation of the doctrines and practices upheld by this church. The Lead Pastor and Church Council shall review such cases and make a recommendation to the congregation as needed. All decisions regarding membership shall be made in a spirit of prayer, love, and fidelity to the Word of God.
Section 4.3: Inactive Members
(See Appendix 4.3 for clarification of terms and principles of reinstatement.)
A member shall be designated as inactive if they are absent from regular worship and church gatherings for three (3) consecutive weeks without a legitimate, communicated reason. Members absent for communicated reasons—such as illness, caregiving, or deployment—shall be considered inactive after six (6) months of continued absence.
Inactive members may not vote in church business, serve in leadership or teaching roles, or represent the church officially. Members inactive due to unexcused absence shall not be reinstated until they have faithfully attended for the same number of consecutive weeks as their absence, not to exceed one year. The Lead Pastor and Church Council may recommend earlier reinstatement as led by the Holy Spirit.
Section 4.4: Discipline of Membership
(See Appendix 4.4 for doctrinal and procedural clarifications.)
Any member who engages in disorderly conduct, persistent unrepentant sin, or behavior that brings discredit to the name of Christ or this church shall be subject to church discipline, following the process outlined in Scripture.
Furthermore, members who actively sow discord, privately campaign for unbiblical changes, or reject leadership accountability may be subject to biblical correction and discipline (Romans 16:17; Titus 3:10–11).
The biblical steps for discipline are as follows (Matthew 18:15–17):
1. First, the matter shall be addressed privately, one-on-one, in love and humility, with the goal of restoration.
2. If the individual does not respond, the matter shall be taken again to the individual with one or two additional witnesses.
3. If the individual still refuses to repent, the matter is brought before the church—not for a vote, but as a public appeal for repentance.
After the matter has been brought before the congregation, if the individual continues in unrepentance, the church is commanded by Christ to “let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican” (Matthew 18:17). At this point, the unrepentant person is automatically removed from the membership of the body, not by vote, but by obedience to the instruction of Christ. A majority vote must never be allowed to pacify or justify unrepentant sin.
This process must always be pursued with humility, gentleness, and the sincere desire for the individual’s restoration (Galatians 6:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:14–15). Removal from membership is not for the purpose of punishment, but to protect the purity and witness of the church and to encourage repentance.
A. New Born Christian:
(See Appendix 4.1.A for doctrinal and procedural clarifications.)
A person who publicly professes faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, and declares a desire to live a Christian life, may be placed under the church’s Watch Care for a period of sixty (60) days. During this time, the church may observe for evidence of repentance and spiritual fruit, following the scriptural pattern exemplified by John the Baptist, who baptized only those who bore fruit in keeping with repentance (Matthew 3:8).
However, recognizing that under the New Covenant baptism may follow immediately upon a credible profession of faith—as seen in the baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:36–38)—the Lead Pastor, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, has discretion to proceed with baptism either immediately or following a period of Watch Care.
Baptism, being a direct command of the Lord Jesus Christ, shall not be subject to a vote of the congregation. Upon baptism, and after completing any additional orientation requirements as determined by the church, the individual may be presented to the congregation for acceptance into full membership.
B. Christians from Other Churches:
(See Appendix 4.1.B for doctrinal and procedural clarifications.)
Individuals who come from another church—by letter, statement of faith, or personal testimony—and who have received believer’s baptism by immersion may be considered for membership. They must also express agreement with the spiritual doctrines and practices upheld by this church.
A period of sixty (60) days shall ordinarily be observed before such individuals are presented for membership. A new member orientation class may also be required as part of the process, at the discretion of the Lead Pastor and/or Church Council.
In exceptional cases where a professing believer is physically unable to be baptized, but gives credible evidence of salvation and a desire to be part of this church body, the Lead Pastor and/or Church Council may recommend such an individual for membership, subject to approval by the congregation.
C. [REMOVED]
(See Appendix 4.1.C for rationale regarding the removal of the “By Proxy” section.)
D. Remote Membership
Remote Membership is recognized as a category for individuals who are unable to attend in person due to distance, physical limitation, or unavoidable scheduling conflicts, yet desire spiritual connection and accountability with this local body. Remote Members are not granted voting rights and are not included in quorum counts for church business but may be included in church communications and invited to participate in virtual gatherings, online discipleship, and other spiritual activities.
(For full guidelines regarding eligibility, privileges, and responsibilities, refer to Policies and Procedures, Section 16
Section 4.2: Denial of Membership
(See Appendix 4.2 for doctrinal and procedural clarifications.)
Membership may be denied to any individual who does not meet the requirements outlined in Section 1, including a credible profession of faith, believer’s baptism, and affirmation of the doctrines and practices upheld by this church. The Lead Pastor and Church Council shall review such cases and make a recommendation to the congregation as needed. All decisions regarding membership shall be made in a spirit of prayer, love, and fidelity to the Word of God.
Section 4.3: Inactive Members
(See Appendix 4.3 for clarification of terms and principles of reinstatement.)
A member shall be designated as inactive if they are absent from regular worship and church gatherings for three (3) consecutive weeks without a legitimate, communicated reason. Members absent for communicated reasons—such as illness, caregiving, or deployment—shall be considered inactive after six (6) months of continued absence.
Inactive members may not vote in church business, serve in leadership or teaching roles, or represent the church officially. Members inactive due to unexcused absence shall not be reinstated until they have faithfully attended for the same number of consecutive weeks as their absence, not to exceed one year. The Lead Pastor and Church Council may recommend earlier reinstatement as led by the Holy Spirit.
Section 4.4: Discipline of Membership
(See Appendix 4.4 for doctrinal and procedural clarifications.)
Any member who engages in disorderly conduct, persistent unrepentant sin, or behavior that brings discredit to the name of Christ or this church shall be subject to church discipline, following the process outlined in Scripture.
Furthermore, members who actively sow discord, privately campaign for unbiblical changes, or reject leadership accountability may be subject to biblical correction and discipline (Romans 16:17; Titus 3:10–11).
The biblical steps for discipline are as follows (Matthew 18:15–17):
1. First, the matter shall be addressed privately, one-on-one, in love and humility, with the goal of restoration.
2. If the individual does not respond, the matter shall be taken again to the individual with one or two additional witnesses.
3. If the individual still refuses to repent, the matter is brought before the church—not for a vote, but as a public appeal for repentance.
After the matter has been brought before the congregation, if the individual continues in unrepentance, the church is commanded by Christ to “let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican” (Matthew 18:17). At this point, the unrepentant person is automatically removed from the membership of the body, not by vote, but by obedience to the instruction of Christ. A majority vote must never be allowed to pacify or justify unrepentant sin.
This process must always be pursued with humility, gentleness, and the sincere desire for the individual’s restoration (Galatians 6:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:14–15). Removal from membership is not for the purpose of punishment, but to protect the purity and witness of the church and to encourage repentance.