Church Membership |
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We welcome everyone into our church and activities. We share communion all who love the Lord and are in fellowship with their fellow men (and women!), so all are welcome to share the symbolic meal (sacrement) of communion with us. What is required is that you are a Christian and are seeking to be obedient to our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Only Pershore Baptist Church members have the right (infact the duty) to attend meetings and vote on church matters however; People become church members on profession of faith, a declaration in front of God and the congregation. They have faithfully responded to the congregation and to God, when asked to ‘declare your faith in the One God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, having found new life in Him.' As the Bible says: "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven." (Matthew 10 v. 32) It's not an absolute requirement that members are baptised, but this is usual. Why would a Christian believer not want to follow the example set by Jesus? The body of Christ is universal, world-wide, and comprised of all who follow Him. Everyone who is a Christian is part of this. Not every Christian is a member of a church, however it's normal to meet with other Christians, and churches are good places to do this! Churches are local gatherings of believers. [The Greek word translated as "church" is "ekklesia". This word was a governmental and political term used to denote a national assembly, congregation or council of common objective.] Most Christians want to meet together for worship and prayer etc, infact the Bible exorts us to do this. What better way than by joining and becoming a member of a church! Baptist church governance places responsibility for discerning Gods' will, not on "special" people like preists, ministers, bishops, deacons or elders but on "ordinary" christians- on church members. All major decisions are made by the church meeting, a meeting of christians who have publically confessed their faith and are committed to Gods' work in that locality. This looks like democracy, though infact it's theocracy, as each individual has publically committed to Gods' lordship in their lives. If you have any questions about this, or if you are considering membership or baptism, please contact us. "And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." (Acts 2 v. 47) |
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