What is Membership?
At our church, we understand membership to be a formal, voluntary commitment to live the Christian life alongside fellow believers in the context of a local church. We find membership in 1 Corinthians 12:27:
"Now you are the body of Christ and invididually members of it."
Just as all believers are members of the body of Christ spiritually, we believe that this membership is also reflected visibly in the local church.
As a member, you are committing yourself to other believers at our church. It involves a deep level of relationship with one another. The church leadership also commits to care and serve members in various ways.
Membership Process
Considering becoming a member at our church? There are three steps before becoming a member:
1. Membership Class
We offer a class that covers our doctrine, devotion, and practice and outlines what it means to be a member of our church. We want everyone to know exactly what is expected before making a decision to be a member. In the class, along with a book study, we cover an overview of our 3 foundational documents:
- Statement of Faith: We provide an overview of the Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1677/1689), which details what we believe.
- Church Constitution: This document describes how we operate as a church.
- Membership Covenant: This document outlines the commitments required in membership.
2. Interview
Once you complete the class, we require each potential new member to meet with the eldership. We want our new members and our eldership to know one another. The eldership will get to know you better, receive your testimony, answer your questions, and ensure that you understand and agree to abide by our 3 foundational documents.
3. Reception
After completing the membership class and interview, the last step is to be received by the church. An announcement from the eldership will be made to the members that a new potential member is applying for membership. There will be two weeks for the members to review his/her testimony, speak with, or even raise concerns about the candidate's qualifications for membership. The membership votes to receive the member candidate into membership after the two weeks.
If you are interested in membership at PRBC, then please fill out the membership application form below.
Pastoral Care
We value personal shepherding between the eldership and individual members. All members will be under the direct spiritual care of the eldership, who will pray for them, check in with them, and be a direct line of contact for any needed shepherding or information. The eldership is committed to shepherding the flock of God at this church.