Membership

WHAT ARE THE PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERSHIP?

  1. Belong to a healthy church family

  2. Resources for spiritual health

  3. Focus your ministry efforts

  4. Decision making

  5. Leadership

HOW WE MAKE DECISIONS?

First Baptist Church of San Jacinto, CA is an autonomous, Church Counsel-led, congregational church. (Acts 6:3-6, Acts 13:1-3, Acts 14:23, Acts 20:28, Matthew 18:15-17, 1 Timothy 5:17, Hebrews 13:17, and I Peter 5:1-3) 

  • “Autonomous” means that the church is not under the authority of any outside entity, such as a denomination or ecclesiastical authority. Our church partners with a denomination and networks with other churches and organizations but remains autonomous and free to follow the will of Jesus Christ alone.

  •  “Congregational” means that the church membership has final authority on all church doctrine and business. According to the church bylaws, the membership appoints and removes pastors, deacons, church council members, amends the by-laws, approves the annual budget, and must approve all major and long-term indebtedness.

  •  “Church Council/Church Board” means that FBCSJ is led by a team of biblically qualified leaders voted and approved annually by the church membership. The activities and affairs of the church shall be managed, and all corporate powers shall be exercised by, or under the direction of the Church Council/Board, including, all matters involving personnel and financial/contractual obligations; notwithstanding the foregoing, the Church Council shall delegate the management of the day-to-day activities of the church to the Senior Pastor and his staff.

CHURCH IS ESSENTIAL!

BELONGING TO A HEALTHY, BIBLICAL CHURCH IS ESSENTIAL!

The general purpose and objective of the church shall be to glorify God and advance His kingdom by helping people connect to God and discover His purpose for their lives.  The mission of First Baptist Church is to reach people with the gospel, build them up as a follower of Jesus Christ, and send them into the world. We exist to magnify the transforming power of the gospel in our members, neighbors, and our world, through vibrant local churches.

There are mutual spiritual benefits as the church family strengthens each member and each member strengthens the church family (Ephesians 4:15–16; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; 1 Timothy 5:17).

  •  Church membership offers help, healing, and hope through a Christ-centered community.

  • Attenders go to our church. We love them and care for them. We welcome everyone to attend.

  • Members belong to our church. We love each other, care for each other, and serve the Lord together.

  • Members are a priority for our pastors (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2-3).

  • Members make their church a priority in their lives and weekly commitments. (Hebrews 13:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; 1 Timothy 5:17).

ANYONE CAN ATTEND, BUT WHO CAN JOIN?

We ask three important questions to anyone who would like to join our church membership:

  •  Do you believe that Jesus is your God and Savior?

  • Have you been baptized as a believer? If not, we can baptize you. (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41,47)

  • Do you affirm our doctrinal statement, the Baptist Faith and Message 2000? 

This Sunday, talk to a pastor about these three questions. It is that simple!