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ARTICLE IV.  CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1. THE CHURCH DEFINED
The word church (ekklesia) means, “called out ones” and can refer to the entire spiritual body of Christ or a local congregation of that body.  In the New Testament it most often refers to an established local congregation of believers.

Scripture teaches that all who place their faith in Jesus Christ are immediately placed by the Holy Spirit into one united spiritual body called the Church, the family of God, of which Jesus Christ is the head *(1). The Church is made up of individual local congregations of believers that assemble together for the cause of fellowship and growing in Christ.  God has given each local congregation all that it needs to individually and corporately mature and carry out the commands and commissions of our Lord *(2). The church exists for the spiritual purpose set forth in Article II of this constitution and by-laws.

References
(1) Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:22, (2) Acts 2:47; Acts 11:22; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Colossians 4:15
 
SECTION 2. MEMBERSHIP DEFINED
Members of this church shall be comprised of those who have:
  1. Made a public profession of their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior(1).
  2. Been scripturally baptized(2).
  3. Requested to be a member of this church.
  4. Made a commitment to abide by the membership covenant of this church.
  5. Been received as members of the church by the elder body.
References
(1) Matthew 10:32; Romans 10:9, (2) Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:12; Acts 19:5
 
SECTION 3. PURPOSE OF CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
Church membership is important in that it facilitates:
  1. The defining of who belongs to our local congregation(1).
  2. The knowing of who should participate in the privileges and responsibilities of the church(2).
  3. The providing of adequate care, nurture, and protection for every individual that belongs to this church(3).
  4. The exercising of authority and oversight in discipline and restoration of those members not maintaining a biblical standard of doctrine and conduct(4).
References
(1) Philemon 2:2, 2) 1 Timothy 5:16; James 5:14, 3) Acts 6:1, 4) 1 Corinthians 5:1-5
 
SECTION 4. PROCEDURES FOR CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
A. APPLICATION FOR CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
Any person may request membership with this church by publicly presenting himself or herself to an elder for membership at any church service.
 
B. PROCESS FOR CONSIDERATION OF CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
Upon a person’s request for membership, the following procedures will be followed:
  1. The person shall meet with an elder or an elder-appointed member to discuss if he or she has truly trusted Christ as Savior.
  2. An elder or an elder-appointed member of the church shall give an information packet including the constitution and by-laws, and the membership covenant/commitment to the applicant.
  3. An elder or elder-appointed member of the church shall meet with the person to discuss and answer any questions regarding the church and his or her membership commitment.
  4. If after meeting with an elder of the church, the person is found to be of kindred spirit with the church, and can and will commit to the responsibilities of membership, an elder shall present his or her request for membership to the elder body for approval or denial.
  5. If a request for membership is denied, an elder of the church shall meet with the person to discuss and answer any questions regarding the decision of the elder body.
  6. Upon elder body approval, the new member shall be publicly presented to the church as a fellow member of the church.
  7. The new member shall be assigned to a bible study group for care.
SECTION 5. MEMBERSHIP COVENANT
I affirm that I have made a public profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and have been scripturally baptized.  I further affirm that I have read the statement of faith and doctrine of this church and am of like faith and kindred spirit.

I understand that my responsibilities as a member of this church are to:
  1. Seek to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ.
  2. Support the church with my regular attendance in worship and Bible study.
  3. Seek to use my spiritual gift to benefit the cause of Christ in our church.
  4. Support the church financially through tithes and offerings.
  5. Be accountable to the church in doctrine and conduct.
  6. Submit to the loving rule, oversight, and authority of the elders regarding reproof, instruction, correction, and loving discipline as given in Matthew 18:15-17.

Lord, I believe that you want me to be a faithful member of Spring Memorial Baptist Church.  I affirm and accept my responsibilities as stated above, and by Your grace I will fulfill these responsibilities.
 
SECTION 6. DISCIPLINE OF MEMBERS
The purpose of church discipline is to effect a return to a biblical standard of conduct and doctrine in a member who errs, to maintain purity in the local church, and to deter sin *(1).

Members of this church who shall err in doctrine or conduct shall be subject to dismissal according to Matthew 18:15-18, Galatians 6:1, 1Cor 5:1-5; 1Tim. 1:18-20, 1Tim. 5:19-20; 2Tim. 2:16-18; James 5:19-20.

Before such dismissal, however:
  1. It shall be the duty of any member of this church who has knowledge of the erring member’s heresy or misconduct to warn and to correct such erring member in private, seeking his or her repentance and restoration.
  2. If said erring member does not heed this warning, then the warning member shall again go to the erring member accompanied by one or two witnesses to warn and correct such erring member, seeking his or her repentance and restoration.
  3. If said erring member still refuses to heed this additional warning, then, it shall be brought to the attention of the elders.
  4. The elders, upon careful and prayerful investigation, shall tell it to the church.
  5. If said erring member refuses to heed the warning of the elders and the church, he or she shall be publicly dismissed from the church.
  6. There shall be no appeal to any court from that decision.
  7. It is understood that this process will continue to conclusion even if the erring member leaves the church or otherwise seeks to withdraw from membership to avoid the discipline process.
  8. If said member, after dismissal, heeds the warning, demonstrates repentance, and requests restoration of membership, he or she shall be publicly restored to membership.
References
(1) Matthew 18:15-18; 1 Corinthians 5:1-5; Gal. 6:1; 1 Timothy 5:19-20; 2 Timothy 2:16-18; James 5:19-20
 
SECTION 7. REMOVAL FROM MEMBERSHIP
Members may be removed from church membership for any of the following reasons:
  1. Death.
  2. Transfer of membership, providing that disciplinary action is not in process for an offense under Article IV, Section 6 of the constitution and by-laws.
  3. Inactivity.
  4. Disciplinary action.
  5. Member request, providing that disciplinary action is not in process for an offense under Article IV, Section 6 of the constitution and by-laws.
SECTION 8. RESTORATION OF MEMBERSHIP
If a member, after dismissal, heeds the warning, demonstrates repentance, and requests reinstatement, he or she shall be publicly restored to membership. Any such request shall be made to the elder body *(1).
References
(1) Galatians 6:1
 
SECTION 9. MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS
A. TYPES OF MEETINGS
  1. A regular annual meeting shall be held to affirm the church’s annual budget and hear reports to the congregation from the elder body regarding the church.
  2. Special meetings may be called by the pastor-teacher or the elder body to report to the church of pending decisions or decisions made by the elder body.
B. NOTICE OF MEETINGS
Any special-called meetings shall be publicly announced and in printed form at least two (2) weeks prior to the meeting unless extreme urgency renders such notice impractical.
 
SECTION 10. ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH
Scripture teaches that there are two ordinances that the church is to observe until Jesus Christ returns again.
  1. Baptism. (See Article III. Section 2. T. for detailed information about Baptism)
  2. The Lord’s Supper. (See Article III. Section 2. U. for detailed information on the Lord’s Supper)
 


24724 Aldine Westfield Rd Spring, TX 77373 ph:281.350.1616