Sometimes people ask questions about the "whys" and "hows" of church membership. If that applies to you, then read on!

1. Why would anyone want to be a member of a church:
Several reasons:

• The church is a spiritual family. When you are "born again" as a new believer in Jesus, you need to be in a family so you can grow and be cared for.
• God expects you to be an active part of a church family. It is God's plan for all believers.
• A Christian without a church family is a contradiction. It could be compared to wanting to be a professional football player but not being a part of any particular team.
• A Biblical Reason: Christ is committed to the church.
  "Christ loved the church, and He gave His life for it." (Eph.5:25). One reason for becoming a member is because the church is so important to Jesus.
• A Cultural Reason: It is an antidote to our society.
  We live where very few want to be committed to anything...a job...a marriage...our country. This attitude has even produced a generation of "church shoppers and hoppers." Membership swims against the current of America's "consumer religion." It is an unselfish decision. Commitment always builds character.
• A Practical Reason: It defines who can be counted on.
  Every team has a roster. Every school must have an enrollment. Every army has an enlistment. Membership identifies our family.
• A Personal Reason: It produces spiritual growth.
  The New Testament places a major emphasis on the need for Christians to be accountable to each other for spiritual growth. You cannot be accountable when you're not committed to any specific family.

2. How can I become a member of First Baptist Church?
You can become a member of First Baptist Church if you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Without a personal relationship with Jesus, church membership is meaningless.

If you have accepted Christ as Savior and Lord, First Baptist Church receives members as follows:

• By letter. If you have previously been a member of a Baptist church and wish to join First Baptist Church, you can inform the church and we will write your previous church asking for your letter of membership.
• By statement. If for some reason a letter of membership cannot be obtained from your previous church, you may be received into membership upon your statement affirming Jesus as Savior and your baptism and previous church membership. You may also be received into membership upon your statement of being baptized by immer- sion following a commitment of your life to Jesus Christ with the understand- ing that we are saved by grace through faith alone. In addition, you must be willing to affirm the articles of faith as expressed in our constitution.
• By watchcare. Any person who has accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord may join this church by watchcare. "Watchcare" is a term that applies to a "limited" membership that includes everything except the privileges of vot- ing and teaching. (Often college stu- dents will identify with the church in this way during their time away from their home church).

3. When should I become a member?
Only you can make that decision after much prayer and reflection. First Baptist Church offers a class called "First Family 101" for those who would like to learn more about the church before becoming members. All who attend First Baptist Church are encouraged to attend this class. Times are announced in the Sunday bulletin and the church newsletter.

4. What is expected of me as a member?
At First Baptist we never ask our members to do any more than the Bible clearly teaches. We only expect our members to do what the Bible expects every Christian to do. We do not ask members to sign any promise. The Membership Covenant is a description of what we believe the Bible teaches about church membership.

THE FIRST BAPTIST MEMBERSHIP COVENANT

"Having received Christ as my Lord and Savior and having been baptized, and being in agreement with the purpose of First Baptist Church, Siloam Springs, I commit myself to the First Baptist family. I commit myself to God and to the other members to strive toward the following:

1. I WILL PROTECT THE UNITY OF MY CHURCH
       ...By acting in love toward other members
       ...By refusing to gossip
       ...By supporting the leadership

"So let us concentrate on the things which make for harmony, and on the growth of our fellowship together." Romans 15:19 (Ph).

"Live in complete harmony with each other - each with the attitude of Christ toward each other." Romans 15:5

"Have a sincere love for your fellow believers, love one another earnestly with all your hearts" 1 Peter 1:22 (GN)

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs..." Ephesians 4:29

"Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be no advantage to you." Heb. 13:17

2. I WILL SHARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MY CHURCH
...By praying for its growth
...By inviting the unchurched to attend
...By warmly welcoming those who visit

"To the church...we always thank God for you and pray for you constantly." 1 Thess. 1:2.

"Go out into the country...and urge anyone you find to come in, so that My House will be full." Luke 14:23 (LB).

"So, warmly welcome each other into the church, just as Christ has warmly welcomed you; then God will be glorified." Rom. 15:7 (LB)

3. I WILL SERVE THE MINISTRY OF MY CHURCH
...By discovering my gifts and talents
...By being equipped to serve by my leaders
...By developing a servant's heart

"Serve one another with the particular gifts God has given each of you..." 1 Peter 4:10 (Ph).

"God gave...some to be pastors and teachers to prepare God's people for works of ministry, so that the body of Christ may be built up..." Eph. 4:11-12

"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ... who took on the very nature of a servant...." Philippians 2:3-4,7

4. I WILL SUPPORT THE TESTIMONY OF MY CHURCH
...By attending faithfully
...By living a godly life
...By giving regularly

"Let us not give up the habit of meeting together...but let us encourage one another." Hebrews 10:25

"But whatever happens, make sure that your everyday life is worthy of the gospel of Christ." Philippians 1:27 (Ph)

"Each one of you, on the first day of each week, should set aside a specific sum of money in pro-portion to what you have earned and use it for the offering." 1 Cor. 16:2

"A tenth of all you produce is the Lord's, and it is holy." Leviticus 27:30

5. I WILL MAINTAIN THE INTEGRITY OF MY CHURCH
...By maintaining a growing devotional life
...By abstaining from the use of alcohol and illegal drugs
...By honoring the sanctity of marriage and the home

"Take the time and trouble to keep yourself spiritually fit." 1 Timothy 4:7 (Ph)

"It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall." Romans 14:21

"Each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." Ephesians 5:33 (NLT)

Most of the time people indicate their desire to become members during the invitation time at the conclusion of a worship service. You can come to the front of the worship center and tell the pastor about your desire to become a member.

If you have any questions about what it means to be a member of First Baptist Church or how to become a member, please contact one of our pastors by calling the church office at 524-3106.