Membership

Harvest Bible Chapel Membership Process

The Following are requirements for Membership:
• Born Again by the Saving Work of Jesus Christ
• Attendance at the Four Week Peak Performance Class
• Water Baptism (if not previously baptized)
• Application Completed with Written Testimony
• Elder Interview or Letter of Transfer from a previous Harvest Bible Chapel
• Signing of the "Membership Commitment"
• Name in Bulletin for Two Weeks

Common Questions about Membership at Harvest Bible Chapel

Q. How does a person become a member?

A. The first step in the membership process is a class called Peak Performance. Class topics include discipleship, church government, membership, and the history of Harvest Bible Chapel. After the four-week course is completed, the membership candidate completes the membership application form. At least one elder then interviews the membership candidate to hear the candidate's conversion account and details of the candidate's baptism. The candidate also can ask the elder any unanswered questions about the church. After that step is completed, the candidate's name is placed in the bulletin for two weeks. If there are no issues raised by the church existing members and brought to the elders, the individual is welcomed in as a member at the next weekend's worship services.

Q. What are the member's commitments?

A. Each member of Harvest Bible Chapel agrees to four commitments:
   1. I have, by faith, become a follower of Jesus Christ and I have been baptized as a
visible way of demonstrating that commitment;
   2. I will, with God's help, seek to maintain my consistent disciplines of prayer, Bible
    study, quietness with God, and worship service attendance;
   3. I will neither criticize nor listen to criticism concerning any member(s) of this body
        and will, when personally offended, speak directly and lovingly with those involved;
   4. I will financially support the ministries of Harvest Bible Chapel by faithfully giving
        back to the Lord a biblical portion of my increase.

Q. Who can become a member of Harvest Bible Chapel?

A. Anyone who has met two qualifications can become a member. The person must give a clear personal testimony of faith in Jesus Christ alone as the payment for sin and claim trust in Christ alone for salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9 and Romans 5:8). The person must also have been water baptized and publicly claim to be a follower of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:3-6).

Q. What are the benefits of becoming a member?

A. The following provide a description of the benefits of membership at Harvest Bible Chapel:
• Membership provides a means of walking people through the good news of salvation in
   Jesus Christ and baptizing them.
• Membership provides a spiritual family to care for, encourage, and support us in our walk
   with Christ.
• Membership provides followers of Christ a way to assess and deploy their unique God-given
   gifts for the edification of the body of believers.
• Membership places believers under the spiritual care and protection of godly leaders who
   watch over their souls.
• Membership encourages accountability with other believers preserving godliness, integrity,
   authenticity and the development of Christ-like disciples sanctified over time.
• Membership allows God's people to leverage their shared resources to accomplish more in
   ministry and outreach than any individual or small group could accomplish alone.
• Membership assures each member that doctrinal standards and safeguards are maintained
   throughout a growing and diverse group of believers.

The following "Membership Commitment" is to be signed by those applying for membership:

Harvest Bible Chapel Membership Commitment

The level of commitment we make will determine the effectiveness of our joining together. 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, we are asking candidates for membership to make the following commitments:

     1. I have, by faith, become a follower of Jesus Christ, and I have been baptized as a
          visible way of demonstrating that commitment.

     2. I will, with God's help, seek to maintain my consistent disciplines of prayer, Bible
          study, quietness with God, and worship attendance.

     3. I will neither criticize nor listen to criticism concerning any member(s) of this body and
         will, when personally offended, speak directly and lovingly with those involved.

     4. I will financially support the ministries of Harvest Bible Chapel by giving back to the
         Lord a biblical portion of my increase faithfully.

    5. I have read an agree with the statement of faith and embrace wholeheartedly the
         pillars of Harvest Bible Chapel.

     6. I have read and agree to be governed by the constitution of Harvest Bible Chapel
   New Lenox.