Membership at Emmaus
Membership represents a step of commitment to the church community. Taking this step expresses an individual’s commitment to the life, health, outreach and ministries of this community and of its individual members. While membership is voluntary, and not a condition for participating fully in the life of the church, it is the hope and purpose of the leadership of the church that membership be considered seriously as a step of commitment to the members of this body.
Any person confessing faith in Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord of life and giving evidence of regeneration, and who accepts the view of faith and practice held by this church may be a candidate for membership.
There are a number of steps involved in becoming a member.
Persons interested in becoming a member of the church should contact a pastor or one of the members of the Church Council.
Candidates for membership shall complete either a membership class, or personal instruction by the pastor/assistant pastor, or a faith foundations class. The purpose of this instruction is to familiarize the candidates with the meaning of membership and the Baptist roots of the church.
Following this, the candidates shall give testimony of their personal faith in Christ before the Church Council or a subcommittee appointed by the Church Council.
Names of candidates for membership shall be presented at a regular meeting of the Church Council by a pastor or a member of the Church Council. The Church Council will vote on the candidates.
The candidates shall be welcomed into the membership of the church by the hand of fellowship extended by the pastor or a representative of the Church Council, whenever possible at the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.
Our Practice of
Baptism
We believe the over-arching purpose of the church is to see
ourselves being conformed to the image of Jesus for the sake
of others. As such, we understand Scripture to call us to two
ordinances (or commands of Christ) that help open us up to the
transforming power of Christ in our lives: Baptism and the Lord’s
Supper.
Baptism is sometimes called the “initiatory ordinance”
of the church because it signifies the beginning of a person
becoming a Christian, while the Lord’s Supper is referred
to as the “continuing ordinance” signifying the
ongoing, growing relationship we have with Christ.
While we affirm the strength and beauty of Christian baptism
traditions other than our own, our understanding of Scripture
is that the baptism of believers by immersion best conforms
to the pattern of the New Testament’s teaching.
Baptism is an opportunity to publicly identify ourselves as
followers of Christ and his church, and to consecrate ourselves
to his service. As such, it involves a personal confession of
faith followed by immersion through which we identify with Christ’s
suffering and death for our sin. Our emergence from the water
symbolizes for us our hope in our Lord’s resurrection
to new life.
Baptism is an act of worship that takes place within the community
of the church, for those with whom we share the life of faith
are greatly encouraged in their own spiritual journey by witnessing
the baptism of another.
Baptism of believers by immersion is the only form of baptism practiced by our church. Baptism by immersion is encouraged of all who desire to affiliate with the church, but it is not a requirement for membership. Those interested in baptism are encouraged to contact the pastor
for a time of further instruction.
Pastor Will is hosting a Baptism Class in his office at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 27.
A Service of Baptism is scheduled for Sunday, May 11.
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