IN MEMBERSHIP: HOW TO BECOME A MEMBER
“So, do not merely attend a church (though you should attend), but join a church. Link arms with other Christians. Find a church you can join, and do it so that non-Christians will hear and see the Gospel, so that weak Christians will be cared for, so that strong Christians will channel their energies in a good way, so that church leaders will be encouraged and helped, so that God will be glorified”
(Mark Dever, Nine Marks of a Healthy Church, 162-63, 164).
Speak with an Elder about your Desire
Talk with an elder about what it means to become a member and tell them your story. They will share with you our church doctrinal statement, covenant, and bylaws for you to review and ask questions about.
Interview with Two Elders
When you are ready to move ahead, two elders will talk with you about where you are in your walk with Jesus, how you came to Redeemer Baptist Church, your baptism or your desire for baptism, and will walk you through the coming process.
Prepare to Share Your Testimony
Candidates for membership will prepare their testimony to share with the church with the help of the Elders. This will be shared either during baptism or publicly with the Church (in verbal or written form).
Baptism
For those who have already been baptized as a believer by immersion in a gospel-believing congregation, we affirm your baptism in this fashion. For those who have not yet been baptized, we will coordinate with you to schedule your baptism as a public profession of your faith in Christ.
Church Vote
Once all prior steps of the membership process are completed, the final step is a vote of the church on your membership. Once a member, we will covenant together as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Cooperative Membership (temporary resident)
As outlined in Article 5, Section 4 of our constitution and bylaws, persons temporarily residing in the Canton area who are members of an evangelical church may apply for cooperative membership. Qualifications and admission are identical to those for full membership except that home church membership must be retained. Elders will notify the leadership of the home church and seek a recommendation for the cooperative member. Duties and privileges of cooperative members are the same as for other members except that when absent from the Canton area for extended periods of time they are released from the responsibility to attend our Church services; and, while they will be encouraged to participate in member meetings, they will not be eligible to stand for any office or to vote. Termination of cooperative membership as a disciplinary measure will be as it is for other members, except that the elders shall notify the leaders of the home church of that termination. Cooperative membership will normally terminate immediately upon the ending of the period of temporary residence in the Canton area.