During the Hymn of Commitment at the close of the morning service, our pastor will invite people to make public responses to Jesus Christ. People will come to talk with the pastor as a part of that response. Responses are of many kinds; some people will be requesting prayer; others will be making renewed commitments to Christ and to the ministry of the Church. This time of commitment is also for those who wish to become members of our church, either by becoming Christian, or by coming from membership in another congregation.

In Joining by Becoming a Christian

A person becomes a Christian by placing trust in Jesus Christ. A Christian is a person who has chosen to place confidence in, and be governed by, Jesus. If you want to commit your life to Jesus, ask Jesus to forgive your sins and then yield the present, and the future to him. He will come to live in you, and with you. He will begin the process of helping you become the person God intends for you to be.

If you decide to commit your life to Christ, then you will want to be baptized as a testimony of your having become a Christian. If you are making this decision today, then please speak with the pastor at the invitation time at the end of the service, or call for an appointment.

In Joining by Coming from another Congregation

Every Christian needs a church which provides him or her with opportunities for worship, study, support, and service. If you are a member of a Baptist church of similar faith and practice, and would like to be a member here, please come forward during the time of commitment. We will write to your former congregation and request a transfer of your membership. Perhaps you were once baptized by immersion as a church member, but you are no longer listed as a member. You may join our church by statement of your previous experience. If you have made a commitment to Christ, and are a member of a church which does not practice baptism by immersion, we ask you to reaffirm your Christian commitment and be baptized by immersion. We do not mean to imply that you are not a Christian, but we ask those who join us to agree on this basic matter. It is difficult to be a Baptist without being baptized.

Last modified: May 28, 2009