What is church membership?
Church membership is simply the way that an individual identifies CBC as their spiritual home. If you are a committed Christian and regularly worship here then church membership is for you.
Why should I consider church membership?
If you are reading this you are already likely to be attending CBC. However, there are good reasons for becoming more that just an attendee. A church is not just another club which exists for the benefit of its members. Despite its imperfections, the local church is God’s vehicle for the transformation of his people and his blessing on their local community. This is achieved as individuals commit to the Lord and to one another as the body of Christ.
What are the implications?
By becoming a church member, you are accepting certain implications for yourself and for others.
You are recognising the authority that God has given to his appointed leaders and are inviting them to watch over you and care for you out of their obedience to Christ. (Hebrews 13:17). Although we have a responsibility of care to all, we have a greater responsibility for fellow believers (Galatians 6:10), and we prioritise those who have committed themselves to CBC.
You are offering to serve God with the unique gifts that he has given you and with the unique person that he has made you to be (Romans 12:4-8). At CBC we celebrate our unity in diversity!
You are to agreeing to support the work of God financially, as you are able, in CBC itself, and through CBC in other parts of the country and the world.
You are accepting your responsibility and privilege in sharing in the direction of the church through its regular church meetings.
You are accepting the privilege and challenges of ‘belonging’ to a family (Romans 12:5)! That means giving help, encouragement, care and support to others; and receiving the same in return.
What are the criteria for membership?
You can become a church member if you are a committed Christian, if you accept the beliefs of the church (see below), and if you understand and accept its implications.
What do CBC members believe?
As a member of the Baptist Union, CBC subscribes to the Union’s Declaration of Principle:
That our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh, is the sole and absolute authority in all matters pertaining to faith and practice, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, and that each church has liberty, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to interpret and administer His laws.
That Christian Baptism is the immersion in water into the name of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit, of those who have professed repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ who ‘died for our sins according to the Scriptures; was buried, and rose again on the third day’.
That it is the duty of every disciple to bear personal witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to take part in the evangelisation of the world.
Do I have to be baptised?
We believe that the Bible clearly tells us to obey Jesus by being baptised as believers and so we would ask you to prayerfully consider this. However we have an ‘open’ membership which means that people who have not been baptised can still become members.
Ceasing my membership
Membership is not a commitment for life! You may cancel your membership at any time. For example, you may move away to another area, or you may for whatever reason feel led to become the member of another church. Although we are always sad when someone cancels their membership, our primary concern is the growth of God’s kingdom, not the number of CBC members.
How do I become a church member?
If you would like to consider church membership, sign up for Joining In, our two-week course in which growing and belonging at CBC and membership are explained in more detail. If you are happy with the criteria for membership (see above) you will be invited to sign a membership covenant, and your application will then be brought to the church meeting for approval.
Check our home page for when our next Joining In course is running.
If you would like to talk to someone about becoming a member, then speak to one of the church leaders on any Sunday or contact us.