What to Expect

• • The church is the organized body through which Christ’ love is shown forth to the world and His truth proclaimed.
    Ephesians 1:22, 23; 5:30
  • The church is the most precious fellowship in the world to Christ. He “Loved the Church, and Gave Himself for it.”
    Ephesians 5:25; Revelation 22:17
  • Members of the church are fruit-bearing branches, of which Christ is the Vine.
    John 15:1
  • Without the church, spiritual truth would perish from the earth. The church is as necessary to the Gospel as the foundation and walls are to a building.
    I Timothy 3:15
  • The church is a rich “Fellowship with God, with his son Jesus Christ”, and with those whom God has sent forth.
    I John 1:3; Acts 2:41, 42
  • The church was founded by Christ, and He guarantees its triumph.
    Matthew 16:18

• Christian worship services wherein you may learn to realize the presence of the unseen God.
  Ephesians 5:18-20; Hebrew 10:24, 25
• Christian preaching with its spiritual instruction and challenge to unselfish and holy living.
  I Corinthians 1:18, 21
• Christian symbols, Baptism and Lord’s Supper are perpetual reminders of the possibility of abundant new life through the surrender of the will to Christ and through daily communion with Him.
  Acts 2:38; I Corinthians 11:23-26; John 6:53-58
• Christian instruction classes where you may think through, with others, the problems of the spirit and of right living.
  II Timothy 2:15, 3:15
• Christian fellowship with others who in spite of their sins are the friends of God, and whose friendship will strengthen the best that is in you.
  Acts 2:42
• Christian evangelistic opportunities through which you can make life count for God and right and help others to become Christians.
  Mark 1:17; Acts 1:18

We believe that God gives every person at least one gift. We further believe that every individual should use his/her gift(s) in a way that Christ will be glorified. Therefore, each person must commit himself or herself to be involved in the following areas:

1. Diligence: Each member must be a faithful participant. He/she should set aside some time in order to be involved in the activities of the church, such as Church Training Programs (Bible Study), Sunday School, Prayer Services, etc.
2. Bible Study: There are three basic reasons why we insist on Bible Study:
   1. Individual Accountability
      1. Each person must give account of his/her own life to God.
      2. Each person, in the final analysis, must, determine what God is saying through the Bible.
   2. Evangelistic Outreach
      1. Persons involved in Bible Study can more readily see their need for Christ as Saviour and are better prepared for the work of the Holy Spirit that draws them to repentance and to faith in Jesus Christ.
      2. Where Bible teaching precedes, evangelism has its richest fruitage; where Bible teaching follows, it has its most permanent results. The Bible is basic to evangelism. It is the record of God’s revelation. It is also the record of Christ’s coming and of his plan for bringing all persons to God.
   3. Equipping Ministry
      1. The person that studies the Bible faithfully and models his corporate behavior by the Word of God is successful in carrying out the work of Christ.
      2. Studying the Bible supports the pulpit ministry. A church is weakened when the faithful proclamation of the Word of God by the Pastor is not matched by effective teaching/learning of the Bible.
      3. Overall support…“for where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the mist of them:” Matthew 18:20

As Pastor, I expect each new member to find his/her place in some of the activities of the church upon completion of the New Members Class. The auxiliaries from which one may choose are the Ushers, Choirs, Missions, etc. I especially want all members involved in at least two of the teaching ministries. Prayer Meeting and Bible Study. Jesus also said in Matthew 11:29-30, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me.” (This is a command, not a request. Learning is essential). Therefore, I say again, you should avail yourself in order that you may become totally involved for Jesus Christ and for this, we make no apologies.

The Pastor’s responsibility, is the preaching of God’s Word, and to proclaim the truth to those who will hear and obey.

In Case of Sickness: “Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders (Pastors) of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.”James 5:14, 15

Counseling: The Pastor is available to counsel members who feel the need of this service. He will help and advise members as much as he possibly can. All work in the area of counseling is private and confidential.

The Pastor recommends that couples wishing to be married have at least three sessions of counseling, more if needed.

In Case of Death: If there is a death in the immediate family, call the Pastor immediately after you have phoned the mortician, (especially if the family wishes him to conduct the memorial services). The Pastor will assist you in the following areas:

1. Choosing a date and time for the services.
2. Arranging the program for the services.

Again, it is imperative that the Pastor is notified immediately when there is a death. First, of all he wants to share your grief, as well as comfort you. Secondly, it avoids conflicts. The Pastor may have previous engagements, the church facilities may be committed for some other activity, such as a wedding, etc. He needs time to make adjustments in these areas.

• Having been lead, as we believe, By the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior.
• And on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
• We do now, in the presence of God, angels and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.
• We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love, to strive for the advancement of this Church, in knowledge, holiness, and comfort.
• To promote its prosperity and spirituality: to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines.
• To contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.
• We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances;
• To walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and exemplary in our deportment;
• To avoid all tatting, backbiting, and excessive anger,
• To abstain from the sale and use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage, and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Savior.
• We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love;
• To remember each other in prayer, to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech;
• To be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without any delay.
• We moreover engage that when we remove from this place, we will as soon as possible unite with some other church, where we can carry out the spirit of the covenant and the principles of God’s Word.

With a few verses in the book of Romans … (Romans Road) Start with: John 3:16

Romans 3:10 to Romans 3:23

Romans 3:23 to Romans 5:12

Romans 5:12 to Romans 6:23

Romans 6:23 to Romans 5:8

Romans 5:8 to Romans 10:9-13

In starting to talk to the lost person about salvation, you might say; the book of Romans has much to say about sin and salvation, and just a few verses here will make the whole matter clear as to why you need to be saved and how to be saved!

Go through the scriptures in the order listed above, walking from one verse to the other. Follow the map.

Always lead the person in prayer, pray with the person, or have the person pray.