At RBC, we believe that every Christian should belong to and be meaningfully involved in a local church. Church membership is more than having your name on a list. It is a commitment to follow Christ together with a particular body of believers, to worship together, care for one another, receive biblical shepherding, use our gifts to serve, and help one another persevere in faith. If you are considering making Reformed Baptist Church your church home, we would be glad to walk with you through that process.
How to Become a Member
Membership Begins with Belonging to Christ
The first and most important qualification for church membership is belonging to Jesus Christ. We believe the church is made up of those who have repented of their sins and placed their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Because people come to RBC from different backgrounds and at different stages of their Christian lives, we offer three paths to membership. Each has the same goal: to help us know you, help you understand RBC, and carefully and joyfully receive believers into the life of the church.
Three Paths to Membership
The membership packet provides you with material that helps you know a bit more about RBC and allows us to know more about you. It explains the requirements for becoming a member at RBC.
1. Seasoned Believer
This path is designed for someone who has been following Christ for some time and already has a basic understanding of the gospel, baptism, church membership, and Christian doctrine. You will meet with an elder, receive a membership packet, become familiar with RBC’s beliefs and practices, complete a membership application, prepare your testimony, and meet with two elders for a membership interview. If approved, you will be received publicly into the membership of RBC, with baptism if needed.
2. New Believer
If you have recently come to faith in Christ, we want to help you take your first steps as a follower of Jesus without unnecessarily delaying baptism or church membership. An elder will walk with you through the gospel, baptism, church membership, and your testimony of faith. You will meet with two elders who will help confirm and celebrate God’s work in your life and answer your questions. After being baptized and received into membership, we will also connect you with a mature RBC believer who can walk with you through our New Believer Discipleship Course.
Our desire is not simply to help you become a member, but to help you grow as a disciple of Jesus.
3. Children of RBC Members
When a child raised at RBC expresses faith in Christ and a desire to be baptized and join the church, we want to encourage that profession while also helping parents and elders carefully shepherd the child. The parent and child will meet with an elder and work together through age-appropriate materials explaining the gospel, baptism, church membership, and the beliefs of RBC. The child will then meet with two elders for a membership interview. If the elders believe the child is ready, baptism and reception into membership will be scheduled.
Parents continue to have the primary role in discipling their children as they grow in Christ and participate in the life of the church.
What Happens Next?
Although the three paths are somewhat different, each begins the same way: talk with one of our elders. We would be glad to hear how the Lord has been working in your life, answer your questions about RBC, and help you determine the next step.
Interested in pursuing membership? Contact Pastor Josh Armstrong
RBC Beliefs with a link to the RBC Constitution