MEMBERSHIP

 

MEMBERSHIP OF THE CHURCH 

1:1.      Membership of the Church is open to those who accept and believe in the Beliefs of the Church set out in Clause 3.2 of the Memorandum. On a confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, those wishing to become Church Members will be encouraged to be baptized by immersion. 

 

1.2.      Church Members are encouraged to be regular at the celebrations of the Lord’s Supper. The Lord’s Table is open to all Christian people who may be present when the ordinance is administered.  

 

1.3.      Church Members are encouraged to get to know other Church Members so that wherever possible to celebrate with one another and sympathy with one another in times of stress, trial or sorrow and in all ways attempt to fulfill the law of Christ in carrying one another’s burdens.  The elders should be informed of cases of sickness or distress among the Church Members. 

 

1.4.      Church Members will watch over one another according to Scripture. Sadly there may be times when Church Members are involved in serious lapses of moral standards which clearly contravene biblical teaching - for example lying, stealing, violence, drunkenness and sexual immorality. Church Members will watch over each other and address such behaviour so as to encourage one another in the development of our Christian faith. Where repentance is sincere no further action will be taken. Should such behaviour persist the matter will be brought to the attention of Advisory Board Meeting or equivalent body in each branches where the person’s membership may be withdrawn. The purpose of Church discipline is two folds. Firstly there is a hope that the action will enable the person to come to genuine repentance; and secondly the action is a protection for the rest of the Church.

 

1.5.      Church Members will meet together on Sundays and in home groups, as they may have opportunity. We will stir up each other to love and good works; endeavouring by all means to keep the unity of the Holy Spirit in the bond of peace.  

 

1.6.      Church Members will walk together in humility and love. Church Members will study each other’s advantages; pray for each other, for the prosperity of the Church, for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit of God, which will lead to conversions and growth in grace. Church Members confidential information will not be disclosed to those who are not Church Members.

 

1.7       All Church Members are encouraged to support financially the works of the Church including those who live at too great a distance to unite with Church Members for worship. Church Members are encouraged to consider the merits of tithing. 

 

1.8       If there are differences that lead to difficulties between Church Members (and it is recognized that these will sometimes arise) each Church Member should try to resolve the situation with gentleness and humility following Christian and Biblical principles according to St. Mathew.   It may be necessary for any elder and experienced Church Member (or if invited a member of a neighbouring church or representative of the Association) to act as mediator or friend to those seeking to achieve reconciliation.

 

JOINING AND BECOMING A CHURCH MEMBER           

2.1       Membership is open to anybody or any individual in as much the person in question is ready to abide by the rules and regulation of the church.

 

2.2       Baptism by immersion upon personal profession of faith is the normal mode of entry into the Membership of the Church. 

 

2.3       The minimum age requirement for baptism is 12 years

2.3.1    Membership of the Church is open to those who: 

•          comply with article 2.1;

•          meet the Church’s qualification on Baptism;

•          commit them to serving Christ within the Church and beyond;

•          abide by the decisions of the Church rules and regulation

•          acknowledge their responsibilities as Church Members;   

 

2.3.2    The process of considering and deciding upon applications for membership of the Church shall be devolved upon the Elders who will: consider applications for membership of the Church; appoint visitors; and receive a written report on the candidate’s Christian experience. Names of those applying for membership shall be brought to the attention of the Church Officials. If a Church Member raises any queries, the matter is held over for discussion at the next Church Members’ Meeting. If no queries are raised and a satisfactory report is forthcoming from the visitors, new Church Members are welcomed at the earliest possible opportunity.   

 

2.3.3    When people who wish to join the Church has previously left another church, we will want to ensure there are no       outstanding problems with the previous church and may need to delegate one of the church officials to contact the previous church leaders. If there are outstanding problems the Church will encourage the individual to do all in their powers to put things right before proceeding with their membership application. 

 

2.4       Upon successful satisfactory of article 3.1-3.3.3 such member shall be confirmed as a bona fide member of the church.              This shall guarantee such person’s church confirmation ceremony.

 

2.5       New Church Members shall be welcomed publicly upon being admitted to membership of the Church.

 

3.         CONFIRMATION:  This is a special programme (lectures) for all members that have been baptized. This entails the in-depth of the doctrine of the church (mode of worship) such as Sunday service, Naming ceremony, Wedding ceremony, laying of foundation, house warming service e.t.c, This also elucidates the duties and responsibilities of different ranks of the church officers. It equally details differences between sub-ordination and ordination, un-anointed and anointed elders and mode of their various dressing.

 

4.         CONFIRMATION CEREMONY: This is a great occasional feast for new members (young or old) who have successfully passed through the confirmation class. He or she should be able to stand boldly to defend the church, to expanciate and explain in details the doctrine of the church. All the confirmed members on this day shall be categorized into different sub -ordination groups.

 

5.         THE MEMBERSHIP LIST  

5.1       A list of the current Church Members shall be maintained by the Advisory board assisted by the board of  trustee and shall incorporate routine changes because of additions or deletions arising through birth rate, death, transfer to another Church, resignation or a resolution by a Church Members’ Meeting.

 

5.2       Routine changes to the Membership list shall be reported at the next convenient Church Members’ Meeting. 

 

5.3        At the end of calendar year if the need arise, Church member or members may be asked if they wish to continue their membership in the Church. The absence of a reply in the affirmative will normally lead to the removal of that Church Member’s name from the list from 1st January of the subsequent year. 

 

5.4       At any time in exceptional circumstances where the conduct of a Church Member is considered to be contrary to the Purpose and Beliefs of the Church and/or disruptive to the relationships either between Church Members or vice versa then the advisory board may recommend to a Church Members’ Meeting that the Membership of that person shall be reviewed.  Church Members may after considering the facts, terminate the Membership of the Church of that person. The Church Member concerned shall be allowed to hear what is said at the Church Members’ Meeting at which their Membership is considered, to correct any errors of fact and offer any explanation of the circumstances or reasons for their actions before withdrawing from the meeting so that the Church Members Meeting may prayerfully and carefully consider whether they should resolve to the removal of the person’s name from the list of Church Members and terminate their Church Membership.