Joining First Baptist Church
"Why is it important to join the church, anyway?"
That's a great question! While we welcome all guests to worship with us and participate in many aspects of the life of our church, we also desire fellow believers to take the next step and become members of our church. Here are three thoughts that reflect our feelings on the value of church membership.
It isn't about the value of "club membership" like you'd get at a golf or health club. It's about family. Proverbs 18:24 says, "Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family (MSG)." God intended for us to belong to each other as family. Romans 12:5 says, "In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." What makes a "family"? Family is characterized by an unyielding commitment to be there for each other. When you join the church you make a commitment to be there for others, and you receive a commitment that others will be there for you. Church membership is a trust investment. Love always protects, and love is a commitment. When you make a commitment to a local fellowship of believers, you declare something very important. By your action you say, "You can all trust me, I am committing myself to the rest of you and I am willing to be held accountable in community." For instance, we have a standard that requires church membership in order for someone to have a position teaching a small group. Why? Because membership is evidence that you are making a commitment to be invested in the health of the church. You signal that you want to invest in the church's health as much as you want the church to invest in your health. The act of committing to a church family creates a relationship that enables people to be united in trust. That's the difference between being a perpetual “visitor” at church versus joining the family. Church membership is an opportunity to publicly proclaim your faith and determination to serve.
When you join a church you are obedient to Christ by publicly affirming your faith through baptism and committing to serve God's Kingdom alongside other believers. Perhaps you have already been baptized, and belong to a church in a town you no longer reside in. Any way you look at it there is great value in standing with your family and publicly affirming that you have chosen to align yourself with other believers. It is powerful when a family goes “all in” and declares their desire not just to go to church, but to BE the church. When you join the church you leave no doubt as to where your allegiances lie. They lie with Jesus and in building His Kingdom according to the New Testament blueprint for reaching the world: the local church. What are you waiting for? We'd love to have you be a part of our church family! If you would like more information, or want to be contacted about joining the family of faith that is First Baptist Church in Thomson, please contact us by calling 706-595-4252 or email.
That's a great question! While we welcome all guests to worship with us and participate in many aspects of the life of our church, we also desire fellow believers to take the next step and become members of our church. Here are three thoughts that reflect our feelings on the value of church membership.
It isn't about the value of "club membership" like you'd get at a golf or health club. It's about family. Proverbs 18:24 says, "Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family (MSG)." God intended for us to belong to each other as family. Romans 12:5 says, "In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." What makes a "family"? Family is characterized by an unyielding commitment to be there for each other. When you join the church you make a commitment to be there for others, and you receive a commitment that others will be there for you. Church membership is a trust investment. Love always protects, and love is a commitment. When you make a commitment to a local fellowship of believers, you declare something very important. By your action you say, "You can all trust me, I am committing myself to the rest of you and I am willing to be held accountable in community." For instance, we have a standard that requires church membership in order for someone to have a position teaching a small group. Why? Because membership is evidence that you are making a commitment to be invested in the health of the church. You signal that you want to invest in the church's health as much as you want the church to invest in your health. The act of committing to a church family creates a relationship that enables people to be united in trust. That's the difference between being a perpetual “visitor” at church versus joining the family. Church membership is an opportunity to publicly proclaim your faith and determination to serve.
When you join a church you are obedient to Christ by publicly affirming your faith through baptism and committing to serve God's Kingdom alongside other believers. Perhaps you have already been baptized, and belong to a church in a town you no longer reside in. Any way you look at it there is great value in standing with your family and publicly affirming that you have chosen to align yourself with other believers. It is powerful when a family goes “all in” and declares their desire not just to go to church, but to BE the church. When you join the church you leave no doubt as to where your allegiances lie. They lie with Jesus and in building His Kingdom according to the New Testament blueprint for reaching the world: the local church. What are you waiting for? We'd love to have you be a part of our church family! If you would like more information, or want to be contacted about joining the family of faith that is First Baptist Church in Thomson, please contact us by calling 706-595-4252 or email.
