As official members of Bethany Baptist Church:
We agree to uphold and encourage the vision of Bethany at all times, and do what we can to “build a caring community of Christ followers”.
We agree that the person of Jesus Christ is the Son of God, is our Saviour, Leader, and Friend, and we will seek to follow Him in all we do.
We affirm the Bible as God’s authoritative Word to humans, speaking truth
in all areas of faith and living.
We celebrate the Lord’s Supper to remind us of the life and death of Jesus, His presence among us today, and the heavenly hope we have as followers of Christ.
We agree that – having experience believer’s baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – we will enter into this Christian community joyfully and voluntarily, as one body through Christ, making church involvement a significant priority in our life.
We agree to give dignity and respect to those among us who are not official members, and seek to welcome and include newcomers warmly.
We agree to seek to treat others the way we would want to be treated.
We affirm the need to support our children, youth, and elderly, to value our different nationalities and backgrounds, and to encourage the equal interaction of men and women.
We will seek to remember each other in prayer, to aid each other in sickness and stress, and to celebrate with each other at special times.
We agree to speak truthfully, directly, and lovingly to each other and practise kindness whenever possible; it is our intent not to judge, criticize, or gossip about each other, but rather build each other up in love.
We agree to contribute to the ministry of this church through serving in an area of interest and giftedness, as well as through giving joyfully to the expenses of the church. We also agree to appreciate the contributions of others.
We agree to develop our spiritual maturity through personal reading and prayer, through regular attendance at church, and through connecting with other Christ followers regularly.
We agree to seek to be God’s “salt and light” in this world by living joyfully with integrity, by introducing others to Jesus, by showing compassion to the poor,
and by supporting the cause of world missions.
Finally, we agree that if and when we are relocated from this place, we will – as soon as possible – connect with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this agreement and the principles of God’s Word.
We recognize that it is only through God’s help and provision that we can carry out this agreement and fulfill God’s calling on our lives and on this church. We also rely on God’s grace and forgiveness for those times when we do not live up to this agreement.
May the God of peace and joy continue to bless us always. Amen.