Do you have questions about church membership? (What does it mean? Why is it important? Who can join the church? What are the responsibilities and privileges of members? How do I do it?) Please feel free to contact our pastor at any time with these and other questions!
Our fellowship “officially” welcomes candidates for church membership during the “invitation” times that conclude most of our Sunday worship services. If you believe the Lord is leading you to join us, you may wish to let the pastor know in advance. Or simply come to the front of the sanctuary when the invitation is given and express to him your desire to become a member. After a brief conversation (you will not be required to say anything publicly!), you will most likely be presented immediately to the church body for approval of membership. (If circumstances or questions suggest that further discussion is needed first, that will be arranged.)
First Baptist Church receives members in the following ways:
- By BAPTISM – if (1) you are professing your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord for the first time; (2) you trusted Christ for salvation at an earlier time but were never scripturally baptized;1 or (3) you are coming to our church family from another denomination.2
- By LETTER – if you are already a member in good standing3 of another Baptist church. (We simply write that church, and—after a vote of their church body—they “transfer” your existing membership to our church with a “letter of recommendation.”)
- By STATEMENT – if you are (or were) a baptized member of a sister church but (1) you have since belonged to a non-Baptist church; or (2) your membership records have been lost or destroyed. (Joining by “statement” might also be an option in certain rare cases that the pastor will explain to you if applicable.)
- By WATCHCARE – if you are a member in good standing of another Baptist church and wish to participate long-term in the life and ministry of our church without formally transferring your membership from your home church. (This option is primarily designed with college students in mind, although it may be appropriate in certain other situations as well.)
1 We define baptism as “scriptural” if it is administered (1) by immersion in water; (2) after one’s conversion (repentance and faith in Christ); (3) as a symbol of union with Jesus in his death, burial, and resurrection (i.e., not as an act that contributes in any way to one’s salvation); and (4) upon the authority of a local church whose doctrine and practice align with New Testament teaching.
2Most non-Baptist denominations hold to different views about the meaning, timing, mode, etc. of baptism.
3Churches may interpret “member in good standing” in different ways. We generally mean someone who (1) has given credible evidence of saving faith in Jesus Christ; (2) has faithfully attended and supported the church (for at least some extended period in the past—many may need “a new start!”); and (3) has not been placed under “church discipline” for some doctrinal or ethical reason.
- 20800 S.E. 59th St, Newalla, OK 74857
- 405.391.6266
- fbcnewalla@fbcnewalla.com
OFFICE HOURS
- Monday - Thursday:
- 9:00AM - 5:00PM
- Closed Friday & Saturday
GATHER FOR WORSHIP
Sunday Morning Small Groups: 9:00 a.m.
Sunday Morning Worship: 10:15 a.m.
Sunday Evening Worship: 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday Night Studies: 6:30 p.m.