05/10/2023
MEMBERSHIP OF A BAPTIST CHURCH
This article considered the prerequisites for becoming a member of a local Baptist church, the responsibilities and benefits of being a member and what may make one forfeit his or her membership.
Prerequisite for Membership
1. Membership is voluntary and not by compulsion. No one should be compelled or forced into becoming a member of any Baptist church
2. Membership is open to all sexes, tribes or nationalities, none should be descriminated against as a result of tribal affiliations or nationality
3. A would-be member must be saved. Such must have committed his life to Christ as Lord and Saviour. Baptists believe that only saved persons should be members of the church
4. Attendance of enquirer or beginners or membership class where the distinctives of a Baptist church is taught is required so that the would-be member would be properly informed
5. Baptism by immersion. Once a member has not been baptized such is only attending church he or she is not a member. To become a member one must be baptised by immersion. Infant baptism and baptism by sprinkling is not recognized in the Baptist church
6. When a person who is already a member of a Baptist church elsewhere seeks membership in another Baptist church, such should come with a letter of transfer of membership from the previous church to be given to the pastor of the new church
7. After a would-be member have undergone membership, beginners or enquirer's class he or she is presented to the church for acceptance
8. Children born to Baptist members, christened, dedicated in the church and are regularly attending the church are tentative members until they are old enough to fulfil the other requirements
Responsibility of Membership
1. Attendance of programs of the church such as fellowships, prayer meetings, Bible studies, all-nights and so on
2. Payment of tithes, giving of freewill offering and partaking in any form of financial contribution to aid church work
3. Abiding by the rules of the church as stipulated in the church constitution or by laws
4. Acceptance of Baptist Covenant and abiding by it in totality
5. Abiding by the beliefs, policies and practices of the local Baptist Convention
6. Be actively involved in any of the departments of the church such as prayer band, Sunday school department, ushering department, children department and so on
7. Being part of the various units in the church such as the Men's Missionary Union, Women Missionary Union, Youth, Royal Ambassador, Lydia and Girl's Auxillary
8. Members are to join forces with church leadership to facilitate church growth through evangelism and extending of church invitation to the churchless
9. It is the responsibility of members to help maintain unity and oneness in church. A house divided against itself cannot stand
10. It is the duty of members to pray for the church. The prayers of the saints can sustain the church and help her overcome the wiles of the Devil
Benefits of Membership
1. Ability to participate in decision making during church-in-conference
2. Recognition to talk during church-in-conference
3. Eligibility to be elected into any leadership position in the church
4. Access to various forms of support from the church when in need
5. Availability, participation and contribution of the church during special occasion like wedding, child naming, child dedication, housewarming and so on
6. Enjoying the benefit or advantage of being corrected and disciplined by the church when in error to prevent missing heaven
7. The church identifies with members during times of sorrow and pain such as the loss of a loved one and the subsequent burial arrangement
8. The church helps members to be accountable spiritually, thus, they serve as accountability partners
9. Members are under the spiritual protection of the church just as children are shielded by their parents from external harm
10. Members enjoy the privilege of mentorship from the church through various discipleship programs to grow spiritually
Forfeiture or Loss of Membership
1. A member can lose his or her membership when such abandons the church for a prolonged period of time
2. Voluntary withdrawal of membership for personal reasons can lead to loss of membership
3. Relocation to another community for which a letter of transfer of membership is obtained from the church
4. Disfellowshiping by the church for being unrepentantly heretical, causing disunity or kicking against Baptist beliefs, policies and practices
5. Breakaway from a church can lead to loss of membership in that church
6. On rare occasions the closing down of a church would amount to loss of membership for every member
7. Death is also a reason for loss of membership since only the living can attend church
Conclusively, not all who attend local Baptist churches are members until they fulfil the criteria or prerequisite for Membership.
