Church Membership

Candidacy

Any person may offer himself as a candidate for membership in this church. All such candidates shall be presented to the church in any of the following ways:

1. By profession of faith in Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior and for baptism according to the policies of this church. (the Membership Committee may grant exceptions to baptism for unusual circumstances, such as physical handicap.)
2. By promise of a letter of recommendation from another Baptist church.
3. By restoration upon a statement of prior conversion experience and baptism in a Baptist church when no letter is obtainable.
4. By statement of faith and of previous baptism by immersion.
5. By watchcare, without voting privileges.
6. By joining by proxy.

Should there be any dissent as to any candidate, such dissent shall be referred to the Membership Committee for investigation and the making of a recommendation to the church within thirty (30) days.  A three-fourths vote of those church members present and voting shall be required to elect such candidates to membership.

New Member Orientation

New members of this church are expected to participate in the church's new member orientation, the extent of such orientation to be determined by the pastor.

Rights of Members

1. Every member of the church is entitled to vote on all questions submitted to the church in conference, provided the member is present.  There shall be no provision for absentee balloting. (NOTE) Exception:  Any church member working in the nursery shall be considered present and be allowed to vote.
2. Every member of the church is eligible for consideration by the membership as a candidate for elective office except as otherwise provided in these by-laws.
3. Every member of the church is eligible to participate in all ordinances of the church.