By Grace Membership

As soon as a person begins participation at By Grace Community Church, we embrace and care for them as one of our own. Yet we recognize the need to lead people to commitment to a particular church and its vision. This means that we will gladly help believers find another church if By Grace isn’t the right fit for them. Membership is valid only as it represents the steps of spiritual maturity described below. We use it as a milestone within the discipleship process.

Membership in By Grace Community Church signifies a commitment to four elements:

1. A conviction that God has called them to join in fulfilling the vision of By Grace as described in its mission statement and core values.

2. A conviction that God has placed them under the leadership of By Grace and in the mutual care of the believers at this church.

3. A conviction that God has called them to serve in active ministry within By Grace, supporting the church with their resources, time and talents.

4. A conviction that God has called them to grow spiritually at By Grace.

In order to make the above commitments, we believe members must have done the following:

1. Trusted Christ Alone for salvation, received Baptism [as a covenant child or a Believer], and publicly professed that commitment. Only an authentic Christian can commit to the above elements with Integrity.

2. Attended Membership Classes. At these classes, the Mission and Core Values, Organizational Chart, Theological Distinctives and Positions of By Grace are presented.

Membership classes happen at several times throughout the year. If you are interested in attending a membership class contact Pastor Kevin Hass at pastor@bygraceonline.org.

By Grace holds to four basic truths concerning church membership:

1. The children of believers, are non-communing members, entitled to baptism and pastoral oversight, but are kept from the Lord’s Supper until they receive personal salvation.
2. Communing members are those who have made a profession of faith and have been invited to participate in the Lord’s Supper.
3. All baptized persons are entitled to the watchful care, instruction and government of the church, even though they are adults, and have made no profession of their faith.
4. Only those who have made a profession of faith are entitled to the rights and privileges of the church.

For more information:

• On church membership and the rights and privileges of church members – please see the Book of Church Order
• Why church membership is important