What Does it Mean to be a Member of First Baptist Church, Heath?
The difference between “attenders” and “members” can be summed up in one word: COMMITMENT.
What kind of commitment is expected of me as a member?
After a person has received Christ as their Lord and Savior and been baptized, we expect a member to make four commitments:
1. I will protect the unity of my church...
By acting in love toward other members;
By refusing to gossip;
By following the leaders.
Romans 14:19, Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
Romans 15:5, May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus.
1 Peter 1:22, Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.
Ephesians 4:29, Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Hebrews 13:17, Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.
2. I will share the responsibility of my church...
By praying for its growth;
By inviting the unchurched to attend;
By warmly welcoming those who visit.
1 Thessalonians 1:2, We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.
Luke 14:23, Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.
Romans 15:7, Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
3. I will serve the ministry of my church...
By discovering my gifts and talents;
By being equipped to serve by my pastoral leaders;
By developing a servant’s heart.
1 Peter 4:10, Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.
Ephesians 4:11-12, It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.
Philippians 2:3-4, Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
4. I will support the testimony of my church...
By attending faithfully;
By living a godly life;
By giving regularly.
Hebrews 10:25, Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Philippians 1:27, Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel.
1 Corinthians 16:2, On the first day of the week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.
Leviticus 27:30, A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.
Malachi 3:10, Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this’, says the LORD Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.
