Section 16: Remote Membership Policy
1. What is a Remote Member?
A Remote Member is someone who, due to distance, physical limitation, or unavoidable work-related scheduling conflicts, is unable to attend church services in person. Yet, they still desire to be spiritually connected to our church family. These members engage with us through online services—either live or on-demand—support the ministry through prayer and giving, and seek ongoing fellowship, sound teaching, and spiritual accountability through this connection.
Note: We always encourage believers to attend and support a local, Bible-believing, Bible-preaching, and Bible-practicing church when possible. However, remote membership exists for those who cannot find a sound local church or who are physically unable to attend services due to illness, disability, or long-term limitation.
2. What Does a Remote Member Do?
- “Checks In” Digitally & Watches our online services regularly via easy-to-follow instructions
- Supports the ministry through prayer and giving as led by the Lord
- Agrees with our statement of faith and church principles
- Maintains a Christ-like testimony and walk
- Stays in fellowship through communication and online participation
- Joins in encouragement, prayer, and discipleship opportunities
- May be invited to participate in Zoom, Teams, or similar online meetings for prayer, Bible study, ministry planning, or fellowship as needed
- Be affirmed by two Christian witnesses who can testify to their walk with Christ, or
- Be personally known and recommended by the Lead Pastor or an active, in-person member of WHBC who can vouch for their testimony and integrity.
- In addition, all remote members must affirm that they have followed the Lord in believer’s baptism by immersion after salvation, or are willing to do so following a clear profession of faith. If needed, our church leadership will help coordinate a baptism through a trusted local Lead Pastor, missionary, or ministry partner near their location.
3. What Are Their Privileges?
- Included in church communication groups (Messenger, email, etc.)
- May receive appropriate announcements, prayer requests, and ministry updates
- Invited to participate in future online Bible studies, prayer meetings, and/or church discussions as applicable
- Encouraged to host watch parties and engage in local outreach
- May refer to WHBC as their home church
- Warmly welcomed when visiting in person
We also pray that God would use these remote connections to make disciples in new places and help reveal areas that may one day need church plants.
4. What Are the Boundaries?
Remote members do not vote in church business, hold office, or count toward meeting quorum.
Why not?
- Church decisions require in-person unity, informed discussion, and Spirit-led guidance from those actively present in the local body.
- Voting responsibly requires firsthand knowledge of the church’s needs, finances, and direction.
- This distinction protects the spiritual and organizational integrity of the local church.
- However, remote members are still encouraged to share their thoughts and spiritual discernment on major church decisions when invited to do so.
When appropriate, we may ask remote members for input on key issues. Their collective feedback can help guide and inform our local leadership—even though it won’t carry formal weight in the final vote. - This gives remote members a voice, not a vote—allowing their heart and perspective to be heard, while the local body prayerfully maintains responsibility for final decisions.
- We may also choose which issues are suitable for remote feedback and which are not, depending on their relevance to the broader mission or spiritual direction of the church.
Pastoral care limitations: Due to distance, remote members may have limited access to in-person Pastoral services (weddings, funerals, counseling, etc.). We will provide encouragement and guidance where possible, but physical limitations apply.
Financial stipulation: Because our resources are limited, remote members agree to understand that we cannot promise financial assistance or crisis relief. These needs are primarily reserved for our local membership and are limited even there.
However, In Flight Missions, a ministry we partner with, welcomes prayerful inquiries and requests for emergency help. All financial assistance requests from remote members should be directed through InFlightMissions.org as the appropriate path for evaluation and possible support.
Membership may be withdrawn if someone walks in open sin, departs from sound doctrine, or causes division within the body.
How To Join as a Remote Member
1. Contact the Lead Pastor or deacon expressing your desire
2. Review and affirm our beliefs and practices
3. Provide a character witness or recommendation
4. Begin attending online and supporting as the Lord leads
5. Stay engaged through regular communication and fellowship
Simple Summary
Remote members are loved, welcomed, and encouraged as extended members of our church family. Though they don’t vote or receive the same care as in-person members, they’re partners in prayer, discipleship, and the Gospel. This path exists to serve those who cannot physically attend and helps us fulfill our mission across distance—one soul, one home, one connection at a time.