Grace Community Bible Church
Membership Statement
Revised January 2009

  1. We believe the New Testament requires local church elders, for the purpose of shepherding, to identify those people who are part of their local flock (Matt. 18:15-17; Acts 5:1-13; Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 5:1-13, 14:23-26ff; 1 Tim. 3:5; Heb. 13:17; 1Pet. 5:1-4).
  2. We believe the New Testament metaphors for the church (flock, temple, body and household) present a picture of the church that requires those who profess faith in Christ to make a formal, whole-hearted commitment to exercise their spiritual gifts within a specific local church (Acts 20:28-30; Ephesians 2:21; 1 Cor. 12; 1 Tim. 3:5, 15; 1 Pet. 5:1-4).
  3. We believe, therefore, that formal church membership is a good and acceptable procedure to encourage conformity to the biblical model outlined above. Those desiring membership will make a formal commitment to the worship, discipleship, discipline, leadership, and ministries of Grace Community Bible Church, and the elders will in turn commit to the shepherding, care and feeding of their souls. This process will result in strengthening the unity and purity of the body of Christ.
  4. We believe that knowledge of the worship, discipleship, discipline, leadership and ministries of Grace Community Bible Church is essential prior to making this membership commitment. Accordingly, those who desire membership must first attend one of our regularly scheduled Inquirers' Classes through which all of the distinctives of Grace Community Bible Church will be discussed in detail.
  5. We believe that membership in Grace Community Bible Church should be granted to those who, after completing and submitting an Application for Membership and being interviewed by the elders, are found to:
    • Profess faith in Jesus Christ and His atoning work on the cross alone for their salvation.
    • Give a credible testimony to their conversion to Christ.
    • Have been baptized following their conversion.
    • Agree to submit to the teaching of Scripture as expressed in our statement of faith.
    • Commit to developing relationships with others in the church as expressed in our Covenant, including regularly participating with them in worship.
    • Submit to the leadership of the elders of Grace Community Bible Church.
  6. We believe that the biblical principles achieved through formal membership are of such importance that we require anyone serving in any leadership capacity to be members of Grace Community Bible Church.