Joining The Family

More than 50 years ago, the Church of England issued a "Short Guide to the Duties of Church Membership"; we'd rather describe ourselves as a family and like all families we do share some expectations of one another and these expectations are below.

As 'members' of the BPC family we do our best to commit ourselves to:

• Protecting the unity of our church.
• Sharing responsibility for our church.
• Serving the ministry of our church.
• Supporting the testimony of our church.
• Co-operating with the leaders in fulfilling the Vision of our church.

The Apostle Paul mentions two different types of commitment:
"First they gave themselves to the Lord; and then, by God's will, they gave themselves to us as well" (2 Corinthians 8:5)
You commit yourself to Christ for salvation and then you commit yourself to other Christians for membership in our Church family. The word fellowship ("koinonia") means being as committed to each other as we are to Jesus Christ. We live as New Testament believers and so we commit ourselves to our Lord and to one another.

Why these Statements?

These statements have stood the test of time and reflect what it means to be fully devoted followers of Jesus. Based on Scripture, they define how we can best grow to maturity together as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

To follow the example of Christ in home and daily life, and to bear personal witness to Him.
“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15)

To be regular in private prayer day by day.
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35)

To read the Bible carefully.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that all God’s people may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

To come to Church every Sunday. (A big ask these days but we do our best!)
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25)

To receive the Holy Communion faithfully and regularly.
“For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26)

To give personal service to Church, neighbours, and community.
“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” (John 13:14-15)

To give money for the work of parish and diocese and for the work of the Church at home and overseas.
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

To uphold the standard of marriage entrusted by Christ to His Church.
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh… However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband” (Ephesians 5:31,33)

To care that children are brought up to love and serve the Lord.
“He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these…And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them” (Mark 10:14, 16)

Theology.   If you want to know where we stand in terms of our theology please see here.

and finally:

Joining the Electoral Roll.  Please see here for details.