To qualify for membership in this church a person must be at least sixteen years old, believe the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, give evidence of regeneration, have been baptized following regeneration, and who wholeheartedly believes in the Christian faith as revealed in the Bible. Each member must agree to submit to the teaching of scripture as expressed in the Creeds and Confession of Redeemer Bible Church and must strive to keep the commandments of loving God and loving others. The elders shall be responsible for determining each person’s qualification for membership. In making this determination they may rely on a person’s profession of faith, or other such evidence, as the elders deem appropriate.
All requests for membership shall be made to an elder. Upon making a request the applicant shall be enrolled in a class for prospective members where they will have the opportunity to review the Creeds and Confession of Redeemer Bible Church and this Constitution and By-Laws and any other relevant church documents. After completing the class the prospective member shall meet with at least one elder for a personal interview where the prospective member shall express agreement with the Creeds and Confession and Constitution and By-Laws of Redeemer Bible Church and testify of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Absolute agreement with the Creeds and Confession of Redeemer Bible Church is not required for membership.
Each member shall be privileged and expected to participate in and contribute to the ministry and life of the church, consistent with God’s leading and with the gifts, time, and material resources each has received from God. Only those shall be entitled to serve in the ministries of the church who are members of this congregation. Non-members may serve on an ad-hoc basis with the approval of the elders. Notwithstanding, non-members may serve the church for purposes of administration and professional consultation.
Church members shall have the liberty to participate in and organize themselves for ministry. Any member or group of members may seek sanction from the elders as an official ministry of Redeemer Bible Church. Such sanction shall be granted provided that the object, purpose, belief, philosophy and conduct of the ministry and its participants is consistent with the Creeds and Confession of Redeemer Bible Church and purpose of the church, and the primary officers of the organization are members of the church, or other regular attenders of the church who have been approved by the elders. Sanction by the elders does not necessarily imply support of the ministry by the church with personnel, finances, or facilities.
When a member of the church dies, his or her name shall be removed from the membership roll.
When requested, the elders may grant to a member a letter of commendation to another church. No such letter may be given to a member who is under church discipline. The elders may refuse to send a letter of commendation to any church that in their judgment is disloyal to the truth of the word of God or that does not exercise godly care over its members.
Any member who chooses to rescind his or her membership may do so by notifying the elders in writing.The date of receipt shall be the effective date of membership termination.
Any member of this church who shall willfully, without plausible reason or excuse, be absent from the services of this church for a period of six (6) months shall be removable from membership at the discretion of the elders, after reasonable attempts to contact the member.
Any member may be removed from membership in Redeemer Bible Church as described in the section titled “CHURCH DISCIPLINE” in this Constitution and By-Laws.