CHURCH MEMBERSHIP at First Baptist Church, Lake Wales is very significant to us!                                                                                                              In a word church membership is about commitment. Those who become members are those who say I am committed to Christ as Lord and this local church family. So that this commitment is not “blind” or sudden and carries the proper level of importance becoming a church member at First Baptist, Lake Wales is a process. Here are the steps of that process: 

STEP 1  INDICATE INTEREST                                                                                                                                        The first step is to indicate an interest in church membership by coming forward to express interest at a response time during a worship service or by discussing your interest with one of the pastors or simply by showing up for Week One of the Discovering Membership Course.    

STEP 2  ATTEND DISCOVERING MEMBERSHIP COURSE                                                                                    The second step is participating in our Discovering Membership Course.  Obviously, this step is for those considering membership at FBC. However, it still does not in any way commit you to membership!  Rather, this course will explain to you our Mission Statement, Core Values, Basic Beliefs, and other important information. You must take the initiative to attend these sessions when you read of them being offered.  They are offered multiple times a year on Sundays or Wednesdays. Participation in this course is expected of all seeking church membership.  As a follow-up to the course you will have an opportunity to talk with one of our pastor’s personally if you have never had the chance to do so. This will enable you to ask any specific or personal questions about the course or the church if you so desire.  

STEP 3  JOIN AS A COVENANT MEMBER                                                                                                                    During the Discovering Membership Course participants are introduced to First Baptist’s Church Covenant. After reading it they can then commit to church membership and the terms of that covenant. You can commit to this body as a covenant member in one of three ways: believer’s baptism, statement of faith (simply stating you are a believer in Christ), or by transfer of letter from another Baptist church which commends you to us as a faithful member of that church body.                         

STEP 4  INTRODUCTION & NEW MEMBER’S DESSERT
After joining the church as a covenant member we will introduce you to the church body on a designated Sunday as a new church member along with others who have come for membership. In addition, you will be invited to Pastor Scott and Tina’s home for a New Member’s Dessert some time shortly after you have joined the church. 

 

 

 

 

FBC, Lake Wales Church Covenant

 “Having received Christ as my Lord and Savior and been baptized I now feel led by the Holy Spirit to unite with the First Baptist Church of Lake Wales family. In doing so, I commit myself to God and to the other members to do the following: 

I.       I will protect the unity of my church 
          ...By acting in love toward other members                 
          ...By refusing to gossip                 
          ...By following the leaders                           
              (Romans 15:5, 19; 1 Peter 1:22; Ephesians 4:29; Hebrews 13:17) 

II.     I will share the responsibility of my church        
         ...By praying for its growth & growing in my own faith                 
         ...By inviting the unchurched to attend         .        
         ...By warmly welcoming those who visit                        
             (1 Thessalonians 1:2; Luke 14:23; Romans 15:7) 

III.    I will serve the ministry of my church        
         ...By using my gifts and talents                  
         ...By being equipped to serve by my pastors                  
         ...By developing a servant’s heart                      
             (1 Peter 4:10; Ephesians 4:11-12; Philippians 2:3-4)

 IV.    I will support the testimony of my church        
         ...By attending faithfully                 
         ...By living a godly life                 
         ...By giving regularly                       
             (Hebrews 10:25; Philippians 1:27; 1 Corinthians 16:2; Leviticus 27:30)