Membership at parkside
Membership
Requirements for Membership
All new members will meet the following criteria to join Parkside Bible Church:
- Provide testimony of salvation
- Be baptized as a believer
- Be in complete agreement with the Basic Beliefs and Parkside Bible Church Distinctives
- Be at least 18 years old
- Complete membership classes
- Interview with at least one pastor
- Receive affirmation from the pastors to become a member
- Go before the congregation to receive public affirmation from the congregation and publicly commit to the expectations of members as detailed in Section 2
Expectations of Members
In light of our stated purpose as a church, all members will make the following commitments to the entire church body:
We commit to following Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, walking by the Spirit, and bringing glory to the Father in every aspect of our lives (Mark 8:34-36; Galatians 5:16-26; Matthew 5:14-16; I Corinthians 10:31).
We commit to have others minister to us and be involved in our spiritual growth and to do the same for those in our individual and church family (Proverbs 27:17; Galatians 6:1-10; Hebrews 10:24-25; Deuteronomy 6:1-9).
We commit to finding a way to exercise our spiritual gifts and use them in such a way as to build up the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Peter 4:7-11).
We commit to living a life of mission and mercy where we seek to engage the lost and hurting and pray for opportunities to talk about our faith and love for Jesus as well as minister to them in the name of Jesus (Matthew 9:35-38, 28:19-20; Luke 10:25-37; John 4:1-42).
We commit to giving of our time, talent, and treasure to further the mission and work of Jesus at Parkside Bible Church (Luke 9:23-25; Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 8:1-15, 9:6-15).
We commit to submit to and follow the leadership of Parkside Bible Church as those leaders seek to follow Jesus (Hebrews 13:17; 1 Timothy 5:17-19; 1 Peter 2:13-25, 5;1-4).
Duties of Members
In addition to the six commitments previously detailed, all members are expected to provide affirmation, and when appropriate, constructive feedback to the pastors or someone appointed by them in the following areas:
- New pastors
- New deacons
- Affirmation of lead pastor
- Annual budget
- Constitutional change(s)
- Incurment of debt
- New members
- Members under church discipline
- Dissolution
Affirmation for new pastors, lead pastor, the annual budget, constitutional changes, the incurment of debt, and the dissolution of Parkside Bible Church will be provided through a vote by means of paper ballot with each member’s name printed on the ballot. Members must be physically present at the time of voting to cast their ballot. Anonymous ballots will not be counted. All votes will be taken on a Sunday meeting of the church. The dissolution of Parkside Bible Church must be presented to the members at least four weeks prior to the vote. A 2/3 majority vote is needed for all votes to pass.
Removal from Membership
In light of each member’s stated submission to the leadership of the pastors, removal from membership may occur through one of two means.
The pastors or a member may sense that the member’s God-ordained time at Parkside Bible Church has come to a close. This may be for change of residence, God’s leading to another church, doctrinal disagreement, or ceasing to participate in the life of the church (this list is illustrative, not exhaustive). When this happens, the pastors and member should invite one another to dialogue about their ongoing membership at Parkside Bible Church. If at the conclusion of that dialogue the pastors remain convinced that the member’s time at Parkside Bible Church has come to a close, they may remove the member, but only on the basis of unanimous agreement of the pastors. If this decision is reached, it must also be accompanied by written communication to the member. The church members will also be informed of any departing members.
Members may also be removed through the process of church discipline, as detailed in the Church Discipline Policy.