The New Testament clearly indicates that groups of people who were followers of the Lord Jesus Christ identified themselves with and committed themselves to a particular local body. In order to implement the principles of accountability and commitment to the local body of Christ, as defined in the New Testament and practiced in the early churches, Harvest Bible Chapel recognizes the need for formal membership. Membership at Harvest Bible Chapel is for all who are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ and have visibly demonstrated that commitment through believer’s baptism.
Provided they have attended Discover Harvest and Harvest Essentials, any person expressing personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour who has expressed that commitment visibly by being baptized, should indicate their desire for membership by filling out a membership application form.
Once the application for membership is received, the next step is an elder interview. During the meeting with a church elder, you as a prospective member will share your testimony of conversion to Christ, your baptism, and ask any remaining questions about the church.
Your name will be posted for a period of two weeks. During this period members will be encouraged to clear up any relational or other difficulties which could hinder your ministry among us. This is done in the spirit of Matthew 18:15-17 so that both you and the Harvest family will benefit.
At the end of the two-week period approved candidates will be welcomed into membership.
- I have read the doctrinal statement and am in full agreement with the doctrine and direction of Harvest Bible Chapel Niagara
- I have, by faith, become a follower of Jesus Christ and I have been baptized as a visible way of demonstrating that commitment.
- I am committed to delighting in Christ through personal adoration and gathered worship. As part of my worship-lifestyle, attending the Sunday service at Harvest is a high priority for me. Further, I am financially supporting the ministry of our church by giving back to the Lord a Biblical portion of my increase.
- I am continuing to devote myself to Christ by abiding in Him and fellowshipping in community with other Christ-followers through regular and personal study of the Bible, prayer, personal witness, involvement in a small group and by avoiding criticism of others and always seeking to biblically resolve any conflict in the spirit of Matthew 18:15-17.
- I am called to display Christ and have found my place of service at Harvest. I am committed to fruitful ministry by using my spiritual gifts for God’s glory.
The effectiveness of our joining together will be determined by the level of the commitment we make. In a society where so few make commitments and fewer still keep them, Harvest Bible Chapel is seeking a group of people who are determined to know the joy Christ intended for His body, the church. To this end members of Harvest Bible Chapel must be willing to live in submission to our doctrinal statement. Further they must be willing to abide by the entire membership commitment.
While the term of membership continues as long as the believer desires fellowship with Harvest Bible Chapel, the membership commitment will be renewed at a service designed for that purpose. The purpose of this renewal is to ensure that the believer’s commitment to one another and to the ministry God has called us to is a genuine and continuing one.
