Membership
What is church membership?
Church membership is simply the way that an individual identifies Chichester Baptist Church as their spiritual home. If you are a committed Christian and regularly worship here then church membership is for you.
Why should I consider church membership?
If you are reading this you are already likely to be attending Chichester Baptist Church. However, there are good reasons for becoming more that just an attendee. A church is not just another club which exists for the benefit of its members. Despite its imperfections, the local church is God’s vehicle for the transformation of his people and his blessing on their local community. This is achieved as individuals commit to the Lord and to one another as the body of Christ.
What are the implications?
By becoming a church member, you are accepting certain implications for yourself and for others.
You are recognising that God has appointed leaders to serve us and are inviting them to watch over you and care for you out of their obedience to Christ. (Hebrews 13:17). Although we have a responsibility of care to all, we have a greater responsibility for fellow believers (Galatians 6:10).
You are offering to serve God with the unique gifts that he has given you and with the unique person that he has made you to be (Romans 12:4-8). At CBC we celebrate our unity in diversity!
You are to agreeing to support the work of God financially, as you are able, in Chichester Baptist Church itself, and through Chichester Baptist Church in other parts of the country and the world.
You are accepting your responsibility and privilege in sharing in the direction of the church through its regular church meetings.
You are accepting the privilege and challenges of ‘belonging’ to a family (Romans 12:5)! That means giving help, encouragement, care and support to others; and receiving the same in return.
What are the criteria for membership?
You can become a church member if you are a committed Christian, if you accept the beliefs of the church (see below), and if you understand and accept its implications.
What do Chichester Baptist Church members believe?
As a member of the Baptist Union, Chichester Baptist Church subscribes to the Union’s Declaration of Principle:
That our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh, is the sole and absolute authority in all matters pertaining to faith and practice, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, and that each church has liberty, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to interpret and administer His laws.
That Christian Baptism is the immersion in water into the name of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit, of those who have professed repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ who ‘died for our sins according to the Scriptures; was buried, and rose again on the third day’.
That it is the duty of every disciple to bear personal witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to take part in the evangelisation of the world.
Do I have to be baptised?
We believe that the Bible clearly tells us to obey Jesus by being baptised as believers and so we would ask you to prayerfully consider this. However we have an ‘open’ membership which means that people who have not been baptised can still become members.
Ceasing my membership
Membership is not a commitment for life! You may cease your membership at any time. For example, you may move away to another area, or you may for whatever reason feel led to become the member of another church.
How do I become a church member?
If you would like to consider church membership, sign up for Joining In, our two-evening course in which growing and connecting at Chichester Baptist Church and membership are explained in more detail.
If you would like to talk to someone about becoming a member, then speak to one of the church leaders on any Sunday or contact us.