Membership Information - New Life Community Baptist Church

Membership Information
At New Life Baptist Church, we believe that devotion to Jesus is primarily played out and worked out within
a local church. That means that one of the primary ways a Christian expresses devotion to Jesus Christ is by
ministry in, to and through a church body. Perhaps an analogy would help to make the point. Imagine a
hockey player who claims to love the sport but who refuses to join a team. That player’s passion for the
sport, and skill in it, is seriously diminished by that refusal. Hockey is, by definition, a team sport. Christian
faith is also, by definition, a community faith.
The New Testament writers know nothing of a faith lived in solitude, in isolation. They all speak with great
passion of the need for personal faith, but never of private faith. Even the Apostle Paul in prison, writes
with one overriding purpose: that the local churches would be “rooted and built up in Jesus Christ”
(Col.2:7).
It is a compelling and convicting truth that Jesus Christ, though much has been written about him, and many
of his words and deeds have been recorded, himself never wrote anything that was left behind (in the one
instance ever recorded of his writing something -- John 8:6,8 -- we are not told what he wrote, only that he
wrote it in the most perishable of material: dirt on the ground). No, Jesus never left behind a book: he left
behind a community.
We recognize that there are unique cases where membership in a local church is probably unworkable -- the
Apostle Paul, for all his passionate dedication to the local church, did not belong to any one particular
church body -- but such cases are rare. In general, church membership is an act of obedience to and
fellowship with Jesus Christ through his body, the people of God. It is participation in, and continuation
with, that first community which Jesus himself formed, commissioned, and empowered.
What, then, does it mean to join New Life Baptist Church?
From our beginnings in 1984, New Life has been founded on and has strove to remain a mission church -- a
church that exists, to use William Temple’s phrase, for the sake of its non-members. We believe that if we
are going to preach Good News authentically, persuasively, we need also to be Good News: a people whose
lives, individually and together, make visible the healing, transforming and liberating presence of Jesus
Christ. This means we are more concerned with being the church than with going to church. Evangelist Luis
Palau puts the matter with crude but effective force: “The church,” he says, “is like manure. Gathered in a
heap, it stinks. But spread out, it nourishes the earth.” Along with this goes several core convictions.
First, we believe that ministry is incarnational -- that it embodies Christ-like compassion, courage,
firmness, holiness, love. Jesus said, “As the father has sent me, I am sending you” (Jn.20:21). All ministry is
thus an imitation of Jesus Christ, of being sent just as Jesus was sent.
Second, Christian maturity is therefore measured by Christ-likeness – not by how many services a person
attends, or committees they sit on. The primary command of Jesus to his disciples is, not to “come, gather
round,” but rather to “Go”: “Go, and make disciples”; “Go, and leave your life of sin”; “Go, and tell
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everyone how much God has done for you.” Maturity is a willingness to be sent as Jesus was sent: to “Go” in
his name.
Third, effectiveness in ministry – in music, preaching, teaching, prayer, evangelism, and any and all other
ministry – is therefore measured by one overriding standard: whether or not people by it and through it grow
in Christ-likeness.
Fourth, leaders are therefore servants, men and women who model this maturity and ministry
effectiveness by giving themselves away in Christ-like acts of love, compassion, exhortation, admonishment.
They, just like the first apostles, are willing to be the “sent ones.” The basis of their authority is moral
integrity and faithfulness to God and His word. Like Jesus, who, knowing all authority in heaven and earth
was given to them, stooped and washed his disciple’s feet, servant leaders use any power given to them to
serve.
Fifth, all and any of this is possible only if the living presence and empowering of God is with us through
His Holy Spirit
Sixth, all and any of this is possible only if we will as a people be both bold and humble in seeking God
through prayer, worship, service, study of his word, mutual accountability, and use of our gifts to build up
one another.
Membership Process
Step 1: Membership Class
The first step toward joining New Life Community Baptist Church is to take the membership class. The class
is open to anyone interested in learning about New Life (or if you are already a member and want a
refresher course on membership) and taking the class does not oblige you to join.
The membership class is designed to introduce you to New Life in a broad and general fashion. You will learn
about our history and vision, our philosophy of ministry, our central beliefs, our church community and life
group ministry, and our understanding of the Christian Way. You will explore how you can best take
advantage of, and become involved in, the multitude of opportunities that come with being a part of our
community here in the Cowichan Valley.
Classes will be offered twice a year and be approximately 3 hours long (half day on a Saturday or one week
night.)
The class is free – and so is the coffee.
Call the Office at New Life to Register for the Membership Class.
Step 2: Membership Application & Interview
Application - We'll know you're interested in joining New Life Church when you send us your completed
membership application. Applications are available at the membership class, online or from the office.
Please complete the Membership form following the Membership class and submit it to the office on or
before the due date.
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Interview – Two Elders from the New Life Church Board will interview you before the Membership Sunday.
The interview has two purposes: to meet you personally and to confirm that you are ready for membership.
Married and engaged couples interview together. Interviews usually last 30 - 45 minutes.
To schedule an interview - You are "interview ready" when New Life's database "sees" that your class and
application fields are filled. You can check for available interview slots online or call the office.
Step 3: Elder Approval
After your interview, New Life’s Elders will consider you for approval at their monthly Monday evening
meeting. You become an official member the night the Elders approve your membership. You don't have to
be at this meeting.
Within 10 days of the Elders meeting, you will receive an e-mail welcoming you as an official New Life
member. The message will also give you details about when you can take your public membership vows at a
future Sunday worship service.
If you are not approved for membership, a church Elder will contact you with the necessary details and
suggestions for you to move forward in future church membership.
Membership Transfers:
Even if you're coming to New Life from another Canadian Baptist of Western Canada (CBWC) church, you
must take the New Life Membership Class and be interviewed.
Prior to your interview, everyone - whether or not you're transferring from a CBWC church - should ask their
former church to send a letter or certificate of transfer to:
New Life Community Baptist Church
1839 Tzouhalem Rd.
Duncan, BC V9L 5L6
The letter/certificate should say:
you are a member in good standing, and
they are releasing you into New Life's spiritual care
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