About Us Membership
Joining the church is an important step in the life of a Christian. A church member at FBC-K is one who has trusted Jesus Christ as Savior, has been baptized by immersion as a symbol of his/her commitment to Christ, is in agreement with our Church Covenant, and desires to join the church family in Christian growth, service, and fellowship.We believe formal membership in a local church is important for four reasons.
The first is a biblical reason. Christ is committed to the church. Ephesians 5:25 states, "Christ loved the church and gave His life for her." Membership in a local church is an important step in demonstrating our commitment to Christ.
The second reason is a cultural reason. We live in an age where very few want to be committed to anything: job, marriage, or family. This attitude has produced a generation of church hoppers and shoppers. Membership swims against the current of America's consumer mentality and is an antidote to society. Membership sets us apart from the culture allowing us to preserve our distinctive Christian beliefs and values.
The third reason why we emphasize formal membership is a practical reason. Membership identifies our community and family. It defines who can be entrusted with positions of leadership within the church.
Lastly, we each have a personal reason why membership is important. Membership produces spiritual growth. The New Testament places a major emphasis on the need for Christians to be accountable to each other for spiritual growth. People cannot be accountable when they are not committed to any specific church family.
"Joining the church" takes place when people present themselves to the church for membership, most often at the end of a worship service. A simple membership application card is filled out and the individual is introduced to the rest of the church. Some people will come to the front of the worship center and inform the pastor or staff of their desire to join. Others complete the membership application in advance and request to be introduced from where they are seated in the worship service without coming to the front.
There are five ways a person can join.
By Profession of Faith
Profession of Faith means that you are publicly "professing" or confessing your faith in Jesus, making him the "Lord" or "boss" of your life. You are making the decision to become a Christian and wish to be baptized by immersion as an outward symbol of your faith.
By Baptism
To join by baptism means that you have already become a Christian at some time in the past. You may have even been a member of another church, but you have not been baptized by immersion after your personal acceptance of Christ as a symbol of your faith in Him. You now want to become a member of FBC-K by being biblically baptized as a symbol of your previous decision to follow Christ.
By Letter
If you have previously become a Christian, have been baptized by immersion as a symbol of your faith, and have been a member of another church, you may join by letter. This "letter" is like a letter of recommendation from your previous church. Receiving your letter is a clerical matter and is taken care of by FBC-K after you present yourself for membership at the conclusion of a service.
By Statement
If you have previously become a Christian, have been baptized by immersion as a symbol of your faith, but for some reason would not be able to join "by letter" (i.e., you are coming from a church background very similar to ours but which does not keep membership records, your previous church disbanded,or somehow lost your membership records, etc.), you may come for membership by statement,. FBC-K will accept your personal statement that you are a believer, have been baptized, and wish to become a church member.
New Members
All new members are encouraged to attend our Discovery Class. This class will help you know the most important things about membership at FBC-K and will help you get to know the FBC-K family. This class meets periodically throughout the year. You can find the time listed in the church calendar. If you have questions about becoming a member or attending the Discovery Class, email us at fbckennedale@sbcglobal.net.
