What Is Membership?

Why Membership? 

Membership recognizes: 

• That every baptized believer automatically belongs to the universal Body of Christ 
  
• That the Body of Christ worships and serves in the fellowship of local congregations 
  
• That God calls believers to unite in fellowship with particular congregations 
  
• That therefore every Christian should join the local church to which God calls him/her 

Membership in a Baptist church means: 

• That members covenant to love one another 
  
• That members worship regularly together 
  
• That members maintain a close personal relationship with Christ 
  
• That members pray and read scripture both alone and in small groups 
  
• That members exercise their spiritual gifts for ministry 
  
• That together members discern the Mind of Christ for church vision and policy 
  
• That members attend church meetings as the forum for such decisions 
  
• That members lead through service, supporting the churchís work 
  
• That members pray for the church 
  
• That members give the church their time and money as God so calls them 

What's the difference between a member and a regular attender? 
Some might feel that UBC is their church home, and wonder why the formality of 
membership is necessary.  But we make this distinction because: 

• The membership process tries to discern if a potential member is in fact a believer 
  
• Only believers are spiritually able to fulfill the responsibilities listed in the prior section 
  
• Joining indicates that a regular attender is called and wants to commit to UBC's people 
  

It's sort of like moving from engagement to marriage; saying, "I do" to God and the other members of the church. 

How does one join UBC? 

There are two forms of membership: 

• Regular (where UBC is the only congregation to which you belong) 
  
• Affiliate (giving temporary membership with UBC for the time you're on campus, while still maintaining membership in your home church) 

The process begins by: 

          Examining the state of your personal relationship with God in Jesus 
          Christ      

• Asking God whether or not He wants you to join UBC 
  
• If so, letting Pastor Smith know at the end of worship, or by e-mail, phone, etc. 
  
• Scheduling an interview with Pastor Smith to confirm one's candidacy for membership 
  
• If so, interviewing with the deacons regarding the validity of one's Christian experience 
  
• If so, being welcomed into membership by the deacons 
  
• If so, introduced to the church and given the Right Hand of Fellowship during worship 
  
• Ratified by the members' recognition and affirmation at the next church meeting 
  

Are you called to become a member of UBC? 
If this sounds like who you are, and you have been thinking about joining UBC, why not initiate the process?  UBC's deacons and other members would be glad to talk with you about it if you have questions.  If you sense God's call in this regard, affirm it by letting Pastor Smith know soon.