Meaningful Membership (Why we're different part 6)

If you haven't been convinced yet that HCRBC is going to look and feel different than most churches, this should be the clincher. Can you tell me what it takes to be a 'member' in the church you're currently attending? I'll tell you what it took for me and my wife at the last two churches we've been members at. Church #1 required us to attend. Really, that was it. At no point were we baptized, approached about membership, courses...nothing. After a while we noticed that we were included in the church directory and every once in a while (when I could stomach the idea) I would go to the odd church congregational meeting. I even voted. I never asked anyone, no one ever approached me about what membership meant, we just...showed up! The second church had a few more steps in order to become a member in their church. You had to partake in believer's baptism (if you haven't done so already at a different church), and then stand in front of the congregation and be welcomed into the fold. Every church lands in a different place when it comes to membership, some are even born into the fold.

At Hill Country Reformed Baptist Church we believe that membership in a local church is both necessary and vital to the Christian in order to live a life of holiness that we are all called to. Although one does not need to be a member to come to HCRBC to hear the Gospel proclaimed, God does call us to be part of a local church body and therefore be a part of His body, of which He is the head. In order to become a member of HCRBC there are a few steps that must be done before you are recognized as a member. They are listed below.

1) Take a membership course that outlines the basic statement of faith (CNBC Statement of Faith) and sign a membership document stating you agree with the doctrines outlined.

2) Believers Baptism (or equivalent letter from like-believing church).

3) Join a community group of HCRBC members for weekly community fellowship and study.

4) Use the God-given spiritual gift(s) to grow and build the body of Christ (service in the church body).

5) To be a light in the community in a real and positive way (service in the community).

HCRBC strongly believes that our walk with Christ is made manifest in three vital areas of life, namely our head, heart and hands. We must study God’s Word to better understand our Lord and Saviour, we must be loving and kind to all people, and we must serve our church body and the community that we are in. By doing these things, we are fulfilling the commandments to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and love our neighbors as ourselves. I believe that people need and want to know the expectations that the church has for them, and if they are not provided, the people feel lost and disconnected. These 5 steps are a simple way for professing Christians that want to become members of the HCRBC family to fully understand what it means to be a Christian.

Questions or comments? Please leave a message here or send a private email to hillcountryreformed@gmail.com, or call us at 403-932-0519.