Membership & Baptism
Covenant Membership
Choosing a church home is an important decision and we are committed to assisting with the process, regardless of the outcome.
The concept of membership and belonging to a local faith community is one that has its origins in the early church and runs throughout all of church history. Nowhere in the New Testament is there an example of someone experiencing salvation with Christ, but not being deeply connected and committed to a local community of believers. Rather, what we see are believers joining together in a local assembly and devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer (Acts 2:42-47).
In the midst of our individualistic and noncommittal culture, God’s plan calls for another way of life together. It’s one that puts down roots, cultivates authentic relationships, makes longstanding commitments and submits to spiritual authority – all together providing a spiritual family for the journey of real life in all its ups and downs.
Ultimately, committing to a church in membership is less about personal preferences and more about biblical obedience. It’s embracing God’s way for his followers to live together in a covenant community that provides accountability, protection, spiritual maturing and the building up of the body of Christ to join in his work of redeeming the world.
OUR MEMBERSHIP PROCESS:
Attend “Embrace Connect”. Here you will learn about the history and heart of Embrace Church, along with ways to get connected in discipleship and serving.
Participate in a membership conversation with our Pastor or any of our Staff or Executive Team leaders. This is an opportunity to ask more specific questions and review the Membership Covenant together.
Sign membership covenant and make vows of membership before the church body. The membership covenant is to be signed and returned to the pastor. Membership vows are to be made before the church body with opportunities offered regularly throughout the calendar year.
Understanding Baptism at Embrace
Why Baptism Matters?
Through the Acts of the Apostles and the New Testament we see baptism as the public act of repentance and transfer of a new believer from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of God. In this sacred act God bestows upon a baptized person the presence of the Holy Spirit, marks them with an identifying seal as God’s own, and implants in their heart his inheritance as a son or daughter of God. The waters of baptism symbolize our death to sin and our resurrection to new life in Jesus. Through baptism we not only gain a new life, but a new family, the church.
What about Infants?
We believe that baptism is God’s gift of grace to persons of any age – infants through grown adults. Infant baptism rests firmly on the understanding that God prepares the way of faith before we request or even know that we need help (prevenient grace). Children of believing parents through baptism become the special responsibility of the church and are to be nurtured and led into personal acceptance of Christ, and by profession of faith confirm their baptism.
What is my next step?
We would love to hear more about your interest in baptism and process this decision with you in person. Please complete our baptism interest form and a person from our pastoral team will follow up with you soon to schedule a time for further conversation.