BAPTISM & CHURCH MEMBERSHIP...
"BELIEVER'S BAPTISM...
Believer's baptism is for the individual who has personally received the saving benefits of Christ's sacrificial work and has become His disciple. As a result, in obedience to Christ's command and as a testimony of faith, a believer should be baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (See Matthew 28:19; Acts 8:26-40)
Water baptism symbolizes a person's union with Christ in the likeness of His death and resurrection. It signifies that a former way of life has been put to death and depicts a release from the mastery of sin. Fellowship Baptist Church, Burford practices and teaches "believer's baptism".
We are willing to conduct baptisms at any of our Celebration Worship Services on Sunday mornings, which can take place at any time throughout the year.
Baptism Class...
Before your baptism, we offer a Baptism Class. The class covers the biblical significance of baptism, frequently asked questions and gives you an opportunity to share your testimony.
Those desiring to be baptised must meet three times with Pastor David prior to baptism.
Attending these sessions does not require you to be baptized if you are not ready. You may be interested but not ready. Please feel free to inquire about this important step in following Jesus.
If you have already been baptized by another evangelical church we do not require you to be re-baptized unless your conversion to Jesus Christ happened after your "first baptism".
Child Baptism...
While there is no "right age" for baptism we do treat the baptism of children with special care and have created a special class to help 6-12 year olds walk through the process of baptism and what it means. Parents are invited to be part of the class with their children. The class lasts three weeks, and they must attend all three classes. If your child expresses interest in baptism, please feel free to speak with Pastor David.
Believer's baptism is for the individual who has personally received the saving benefits of Christ's sacrificial work and has become His disciple. As a result, in obedience to Christ's command and as a testimony of faith, a believer should be baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (See Matthew 28:19; Acts 8:26-40)
Water baptism symbolizes a person's union with Christ in the likeness of His death and resurrection. It signifies that a former way of life has been put to death and depicts a release from the mastery of sin. Fellowship Baptist Church, Burford practices and teaches "believer's baptism".
We are willing to conduct baptisms at any of our Celebration Worship Services on Sunday mornings, which can take place at any time throughout the year.
Baptism Class...
Before your baptism, we offer a Baptism Class. The class covers the biblical significance of baptism, frequently asked questions and gives you an opportunity to share your testimony.
Those desiring to be baptised must meet three times with Pastor David prior to baptism.
Attending these sessions does not require you to be baptized if you are not ready. You may be interested but not ready. Please feel free to inquire about this important step in following Jesus.
If you have already been baptized by another evangelical church we do not require you to be re-baptized unless your conversion to Jesus Christ happened after your "first baptism".
Child Baptism...
While there is no "right age" for baptism we do treat the baptism of children with special care and have created a special class to help 6-12 year olds walk through the process of baptism and what it means. Parents are invited to be part of the class with their children. The class lasts three weeks, and they must attend all three classes. If your child expresses interest in baptism, please feel free to speak with Pastor David.
MEMBERSHIP @ FELLOWSHIP
We are happy you are considering membership at Fellowship Baptist Church, Burford. Making a commitment to be “part of the family” will be a mutually beneficial experience! As you have been attending the worship services and getting to know us you have no doubt witnessed the fact that God is at work here and blessing this church. We believe that this is a result of our sincere attempt to be a God- honouring church and that we are striving to fulfill His plan and purpose for us.
There’s one thing that we don’t want! Please do not think that church membership is just “another ritual” in the church. We have no intention of you joining Fellowship and then fading into inactive anonymity. Our desire is for each member to be active in ministry and growing in his/her walk with the Lord.
Why do we want you to be an “active” member? Because we believe that people bloom when they are serving God! Serving God in the church is a positive and rewarding experience. It enhances personal and spiritual growth when we serve each other “as unto the Lord”.
As a church we desire to serve you as well! Our prayer is that as you join hands with the body of Christ here at Fellowship and as
you allow the Word of God to speak to your heart, we will together be transformed into the image of Christ Himself.
Why Church Membership?
One of the most frequently asked questions relating to the topic of Church membership is “Why should I join the church anyway? After all, it makes no big difference...I can still go to church and participate in all the activities without feeling tied down or committed.” That is right…you can choose to do that…however… there are FIVE KEY BENEFITS for joining together with a local church…here they are:
1. IDENTIFICATION...
The first benefit is IDENTIFICATION. When someone joins a church they choose to identify with that local church body. They are basically saying “this is my home church and I choose to identify with them and their teaching and their relationships.” Just as we identify with the family of our origin, or the family that has raised us from birth...identity helps us to establish meaningful roots in our Christian walk. Family is of great importance. So is the identification with a church family. There is no such thing as a “Lone Ranger” Christianity. This leads us into the next reason to join the church.
2. FELLOWSHIP...
In Acts 2 we read that FELLOWSHIP played a major role in the life and dynamics of that early church. People learned and grew and
prayed and worshipped together. (Acts 2:42-47) They were together with oneness (Acts 2:44,46) they loved each other, there was a sense of gladness and it had a direct influence on the world around them. Fellowship with fellow believers is so critical for the health and welfare of the individual believer and of the local church. This is why our fifth purpose is encouragement...the “continual demonstration of Christ-like love and acceptance of all.”
When you enter the door of Fellowship Baptist for the first time, the people open their arms and accept you unconditionally and without
reservation. But as always, all relationships are two way, and this requires you to reciprocate by opening your arms and embracing the church with your love, support, encouragement and prayer.
3. SERVICE...
Service is the next reason for membership. Being committed to a local church provides the opportunity to serve the Lord. We are all so different in so many ways...yet God has planned the church in such a way as to make that a strength rather than a weakness. God wants to use you in an incredible way that is made specifically for you. That is why He has given you spiritual gifts for you to use in serving Him. Romans 12:5 tells us: “So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” We compliment one another with our different and unique gifts and talents and abilities as we join together as a team. Each one of us has a very important function within the body and together we are able to accomplish great things for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 12)
4. ACCOUNTABILITY...
Church membership is really a step of commitment that a dedicated believer takes to express the fact that Jesus Christ is Lord and
Master in his/her life. This commitment involves several areas of a Christian’s life:
Commitment to God (Matthew 22:37)
Commitment to the family (Proverbs 12:7b)
Commitment to personal growth (Philippians 3:14)
Commitment to ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12)
The key to a Christian’s successful commitment to a church lies in the area of ACCOUNTABILITY to the church and its leadership. (Hebrews 13:17; Matthew 8:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13) For some this “commitment” can be scary or even intimidating. But without this accountability it becomes very easy for people to fail and falter. With the loving support system, encouragement and challenge from leadership and the congregation however, each person can not only maintain, but grow in their Christian commitment.
5. STEWARDSHIP...
The fifth and final reason for Church membership is STEWARDSHIP. God has given each of us the opportunity to serve Him. He
has given to us TIME, TALENTS and TREASURE. All three make up pretty much all that we are (Romans 12:1). Time is a precious commodity these days and is to be spent wisely for God’s glory. How you use your time for the Lord is the stewardship that God has called you to. Every moment of every day we are in a growing process with the Lord. It is not just simply a “Sunday Only” thing...it is 24...7!
The talents that God has given to us and how we use them for His glory is another source of stewardship. Every believer has talents that may have been learned at an early age or maybe quite recently...God desires that we put them on the altar for Him and use them. God wants you to use your talents.
God also desires that our treasure be devoted to Him. The giving of our money and goods to the work of the church and the Kingdom of God is a very serious and spiritual matter. The support of the God’s work has always been a responsibility of the community of faith. No...specific amounts are not prescribed in Scripture though some believe the tithe (10%) to be the figure. But the New Testament teaches that we are to give proportionally (1 Corinthians 16:2), regularly (1 Corinthians 16:2), cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7) and sacrificially (2 Corinthians 8:3) as an act of worship of all things that God has given to us.
There’s one thing that we don’t want! Please do not think that church membership is just “another ritual” in the church. We have no intention of you joining Fellowship and then fading into inactive anonymity. Our desire is for each member to be active in ministry and growing in his/her walk with the Lord.
Why do we want you to be an “active” member? Because we believe that people bloom when they are serving God! Serving God in the church is a positive and rewarding experience. It enhances personal and spiritual growth when we serve each other “as unto the Lord”.
As a church we desire to serve you as well! Our prayer is that as you join hands with the body of Christ here at Fellowship and as
you allow the Word of God to speak to your heart, we will together be transformed into the image of Christ Himself.
Why Church Membership?
One of the most frequently asked questions relating to the topic of Church membership is “Why should I join the church anyway? After all, it makes no big difference...I can still go to church and participate in all the activities without feeling tied down or committed.” That is right…you can choose to do that…however… there are FIVE KEY BENEFITS for joining together with a local church…here they are:
1. IDENTIFICATION...
The first benefit is IDENTIFICATION. When someone joins a church they choose to identify with that local church body. They are basically saying “this is my home church and I choose to identify with them and their teaching and their relationships.” Just as we identify with the family of our origin, or the family that has raised us from birth...identity helps us to establish meaningful roots in our Christian walk. Family is of great importance. So is the identification with a church family. There is no such thing as a “Lone Ranger” Christianity. This leads us into the next reason to join the church.
2. FELLOWSHIP...
In Acts 2 we read that FELLOWSHIP played a major role in the life and dynamics of that early church. People learned and grew and
prayed and worshipped together. (Acts 2:42-47) They were together with oneness (Acts 2:44,46) they loved each other, there was a sense of gladness and it had a direct influence on the world around them. Fellowship with fellow believers is so critical for the health and welfare of the individual believer and of the local church. This is why our fifth purpose is encouragement...the “continual demonstration of Christ-like love and acceptance of all.”
When you enter the door of Fellowship Baptist for the first time, the people open their arms and accept you unconditionally and without
reservation. But as always, all relationships are two way, and this requires you to reciprocate by opening your arms and embracing the church with your love, support, encouragement and prayer.
3. SERVICE...
Service is the next reason for membership. Being committed to a local church provides the opportunity to serve the Lord. We are all so different in so many ways...yet God has planned the church in such a way as to make that a strength rather than a weakness. God wants to use you in an incredible way that is made specifically for you. That is why He has given you spiritual gifts for you to use in serving Him. Romans 12:5 tells us: “So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” We compliment one another with our different and unique gifts and talents and abilities as we join together as a team. Each one of us has a very important function within the body and together we are able to accomplish great things for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 12)
4. ACCOUNTABILITY...
Church membership is really a step of commitment that a dedicated believer takes to express the fact that Jesus Christ is Lord and
Master in his/her life. This commitment involves several areas of a Christian’s life:
Commitment to God (Matthew 22:37)
Commitment to the family (Proverbs 12:7b)
Commitment to personal growth (Philippians 3:14)
Commitment to ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12)
The key to a Christian’s successful commitment to a church lies in the area of ACCOUNTABILITY to the church and its leadership. (Hebrews 13:17; Matthew 8:15-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13) For some this “commitment” can be scary or even intimidating. But without this accountability it becomes very easy for people to fail and falter. With the loving support system, encouragement and challenge from leadership and the congregation however, each person can not only maintain, but grow in their Christian commitment.
5. STEWARDSHIP...
The fifth and final reason for Church membership is STEWARDSHIP. God has given each of us the opportunity to serve Him. He
has given to us TIME, TALENTS and TREASURE. All three make up pretty much all that we are (Romans 12:1). Time is a precious commodity these days and is to be spent wisely for God’s glory. How you use your time for the Lord is the stewardship that God has called you to. Every moment of every day we are in a growing process with the Lord. It is not just simply a “Sunday Only” thing...it is 24...7!
The talents that God has given to us and how we use them for His glory is another source of stewardship. Every believer has talents that may have been learned at an early age or maybe quite recently...God desires that we put them on the altar for Him and use them. God wants you to use your talents.
God also desires that our treasure be devoted to Him. The giving of our money and goods to the work of the church and the Kingdom of God is a very serious and spiritual matter. The support of the God’s work has always been a responsibility of the community of faith. No...specific amounts are not prescribed in Scripture though some believe the tithe (10%) to be the figure. But the New Testament teaches that we are to give proportionally (1 Corinthians 16:2), regularly (1 Corinthians 16:2), cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7) and sacrificially (2 Corinthians 8:3) as an act of worship of all things that God has given to us.