If the Bible is the cornerstone of our church, then membership is the cement that holds us all together. Both Christ and Paul pointed us toward membership for our encouragement, our protection, and our instruction. We seek to carry out this vision through our four-step process by which to join CHBC.
Membership Class – All prospective members must attend our Membership Matters class. The curriculum is composed of six one-hour classes entitled:
- Why Join a Church?
- Statement of Faith
- Church Covenant
- Church History
- Missions & Outreach
- Life Together
Courses are offered in a Friday night/Saturday morning format periodically through the year and weekly on Sunday mornings. Upon completion, those who attended all six classes are able but not obligated to sign up for a membership interview, the second step of the membership process.
Membership Interview – In a 1 hour meeting, the prospective member meets with an elder to provide basic biographical information and recount God’s converting work in his or her life. The prospective member would then sign the statement of faith and church covenant, and the application would go to the elders.
Elder Recommendation – At a regularly scheduled elders’ meeting, the elder will review the applicant’s testimony with the other elders. Upon receiving their collective approval, the candidate’s application proceeds to the next step: congregational affirmation.
Congregational Affirmation - During our every-other-month members meetings, each pastor who conducted an interview briefly describes how the applicants, who are desiring to be admitted to membership, have come to know the Lord. Questions are fielded, a vote is taken, and with a majority secured, candidates are admitted into membership.