Featured interesting church membership process

Yes I can. If one follows the model in Acts, members were added daily. Steps like the one listed or communicants class, indoctrination, etc is a mark of the Catholic Church and some Protestant churches. The process is not Scrpitural, and would never even consider joining a church the had such a policy. It is along the same mindset as creeds.

Of course, as someone else already pointed out, each local church can do as they please. That is their right. I am just not going to be a part of it.

 

Ohhhh.....still another worldly church attempting to manipulate.

Jason, why do you want to get involved with these people? I can understand your commitment to church community & wanting to be a part of something & I can even understand your being in (living in) a void area for good churches! Im there too, but dont compromise brother.....it will dilute you & more importantly your family. I am finding that by not compromising, my family & I are stronger in the Faith. My wife is a much more resolute Christian by following biblical translations than caving into crappy unbiblical church organizations that move into the worldly realm.

 

AMEN! Me nither:thumbsup:

 

Have you ever researched where the "steeple"on a church was derived and what it means? I think if you did you would never want your church building to have one.

 

Well, I guess this practice provided in the OP could fit within the area of confirming their confession of faith.

In the New Testament the act of baptism was the public profession of faith where their repentance and faith were expressed publicly. So, to be recognized as a believer one submitted imediately to baptism as their public profession. So there was no time delay between the profession and baptism. Likewise, upon baptism they were admitted right into the teaching assembly (Acts 2:41).

However, today we do live in a mass of Christendom confusion instead of one clear obvious practice united by all churches in the first century.

Therefore, in our situation the practice set forth in the OP could fit within the public profession process I guess, so that confusion is eliminated and clarity is confirmed.

 

The scritpures are not silent about the process (Mt. 28:18-19) nor is it silent about the practice (Acts 2:41-42).

Houses are buildings and churches met in houses.

However, if you will look at my ammended position in my last post then I think we may have some common ground.

 

Thats OK by me....thats where we meet most of the time...in my home. I actually prefer it.

 

Wouldn't you want to know what your church believes, why they do, how they practice the mandate to witness etc?

i would before commiting to them by act of public water baptism!

 

Then you & your wife have already made your choice. Best of luck with it. What is the distance from your abode to the church?

 

so Apostle paul and His side kick Luke did not qualify?

 

This is very similar to our church, though I find step three a bit unusual. I have never heard of this before, but it may be an "EFC thing." We don't have EFC churches here, so I am not very familiar with them.

Step one is our membership or "Discovery" class, which is for those who are interested in church membership. It is a six week long course taught by our senior pastor. (I went through once that was 12 weeks. Now that was intense and long!)

Step two is a private meeting with two elders and the pastor. This is an opportunity to give your testimony.

Note - those who are joining the church on a profession of faith (rather than via church transfer) are baptized.

Step three is an introduction to the church body. Since we are not congregational, we do not have a church-wide vote, as this is handled by the elders.