At CBC we believe that God has called us to commit to a body of believers - to a local church. The Christian life is not simply a matter of personal growth; it involves uniting with a specific group of believers to live out the "one another" commands of scripture (e.g. "love one another). Membership is a formal expression of a person's commitment to do this. To become a member is to become part of a family which together strives to be the people God has called them to be.
If you are interested in learning more about membership at CBC, what membership is, or would like more information regarding the next formal membership class at CBC, register below or email info@christbible.church!
Membership Covenant
Having been brought by God’s grace to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, we do now, in His presence, relying on His help, solemnly and joyfully covenant with each other.
We will work and pray for the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
We will walk together in brotherly love, as is fitting for members of a Christian Church. We will maintain an affectionate care and watchfulness over each other, faithfully warning and urging one another as occasion may require.
We will assemble regularly for corporate worship, and we will pray for ourselves and others.
We will seek to bring up children under our care in the training and instruction of the Lord just as we will seek, by a pure and loving example, the salvation of our family and friends.
We will rejoice at each others’ happiness and seek with tenderness and sympathy to carry each others’ burdens and sorrows.
We will seek, with God’s help, to live carefully in the world, rejecting ungodly living and sinful desires, and remembering that we have a special obligation to lead a new and holy life.
We will promote the faithful gospel ministry of this church by supporting its worship, ordinances (baptism and Lord’s Supper), discipline, and doctrines. We will contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the aid of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all the nations.
We will submit ourselves to the elders, whom God has called to care for His church, as long as they submit to Christ, who is the great Shepherd of the flock.
We will, if we leave this congregation, as soon as possible, unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word.
We believe the threefold purpose of church discipline is to glorify God by maintaining purity in the local church (1 Cor 5:6), to edify believers by deterring sin and promoting purity (1 Tim 5:20), and to promote the spiritual welfare of the offending believer by calling him or her to return to a biblical standard of doctrine and conduct (Gal 6:1). The Lord Jesus Christ has entrusted the local church with the authority and responsibility to discipline members for flagrant sin or serious doctrinal error, with the goal of the restoration of the offender. This discipline is entrusted to the Elder Council and is to follow the biblical pattern as set forth in Matthew 18:15-20; 1 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 2:7-8; Galatians 6:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:6; Titus 3:10-11; and 2 John 7-11. Any member of this church who practices or affirms a doctrine or conduct that, in the judgment of the Elder Council, is opposed to the teaching of the Word of God, or is threatening to the testimony of this church, or is divisive to the body, shall be subject to church discipline. Discipline will follow the said biblical pattern, and is an effort to bring the individual to repentance and protect the church from unrepentant sin. Discipline may involve exclusion from participation in ministry and communion, as well as dismissal from the fellowship of this church. An individual may be disciplined by the Elder Council short of dismissal from the fellowship, as they deem appropriate for the specific circumstance (for example, an individual may remain in certain circumstances a member of this church but be denied the privilege of serving in a particular ministry). The Elder Council, as is required by Scripture, may report to the congregation the names of those who have lost membership by reason of church discipline, and the reason for that discipline, as described in Matthew 18:15-20.
We believe the Bible itself, as the inspired and infallible Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. The Elder Council is Christ Bible Church’s final authority on the Bible’s meaning and application as it pertains to Christ Bible Church’s doctrine, practice, policy, and discipline.