Membership
While formal membership at Grace Bible Church
is not required to attend worship services, enjoy home fellowship
groups, or to serve at Grace in many different ministry capacities,
we do require membership as a prerequisite for a small number
of ministry roles.
First of all, let us acknowledge that membership does not make
a believer a different kind of Christian. It does not infuse greater
qualifications for ministry, make a believer more spiritual, or
in any way add to what Jesus Christ has already accomplished.
Nevertheless, The Pastors of GBC have determined that a formal
process of membership does assist in establishing a few important
things.
The formal commitment of membership encourages the believer through
their covenant to care and serve the local church, and their affirmation
to submit to the leadership and oversight of the eldership of
GBC. It establishes accountability between members for the mutual
edification, growth and love of one another. In addition, each
applicant for membership is asked to review our By-Laws and Doctrinal
Statement, and to provide "an account for the hope that is
in you" (1 Peter 3:15), that is, a Christian testimony of
their salvation. They must also be personally interviewed by a
member of the Pastoral Staff.
As such, the membership process provides the Pastors of GBC with
the opportunity to ascertain some measure of each applicant's
beliefs, doctrine, personal history and their essential understanding
of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
All of this provides a measure of knowledge and familiarity with
members which is of great advantage when considering specific
ministry roles. For instance, we take very seriously the trust
that parents place in us for the care of their children. The sinful
society in which we live poses particular threats to children
which were not wide spread in other generations. The depravity
of the times mandates a high degree of caution, especially with
regard to the safety of the children entrusted to our care, as
those who may endanger or seek to harm may try to disguise themselves
as harmless and defenseless, as "wolves in sheep's clothing",
as it were.
As the membership application process provides an initial opportunity
to discuss a believer's personal testimony, as well as the applicant's
personal background and history, we maintain membership as a prerequisite
for continuing service in ministry to children. This is a primary
precaution, but by no means the only precaution, we maintain to
protect the safety and well-being of the children we seek to care
and serve.
We hope this provides some measure of explanation
and encouragement regarding the requirement of membership for
a small number of ministry opportunities here at Grace Bible Church.
Our goal is not to arbitrarily restrict or frustrate the ministry
and giftedness of believers, but rather to provide reasonable
pastoral oversight to maximize the care, growth, maturity and
protection of the saints.
