Joining Temple
How do I join?
Our service concludes with a hymn of invitation. During this hymn, you are invited to respond publicly to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Simply walk to the pastor standing at the front of the church so that he can help you with one of the following decisions:
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I want to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.
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I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and joined a church that did not practice New Testament baptism. I would like to submit to a New Testament baptism and join Temple Baptist Church.
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I am a member of another church and I would like to join Temple Baptist Church on promise of letter from that church.
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I want the pastor to pray with me about a concern in my life.
If none of these decisions express your desire, you may schedule an appointment with one of our pastors.
If you have further questions, please contact the church office.
All about Temple - next class is June 13!
Come join us for a short discussion group ‘All About Temple’ (formerly Class 101). We will cover The Gospel, Our Mission, Our Purpose, Our Vision, Our Essentials, Our Practices, Our Philosophy, Our Structure, Our Affiliation and the Baptist Faith and Mission. This group is not required for membership but is recommended if you have questions about Temple or the Baptist Faith. We meet in our Family Life Center immediately after our second Worship Service for a luncheon and then move to our Kingdom Café for our discussion. We provide child care for 0 to 6 during our discussion so you can relax and get to know us. Check with our staff at the Information Center for the next scheduled meeting.
Why do I need to join?
That is a great question, and I am thrilled that you asked!!
In today’s culture and consumer mentality, we shop for deals; we shop for the latest gadgets and technology; and we shop for things that may make our life more enjoyable and less hectic. Sometimes, to maximize these deals, we will join clubs or become members so that we may even utilize more perks of these memberships.
I love the catchy phrases from many of the commercials that beckon consumers to join their membership program, after all, “membership has its privileges” according to American Express. So I looked to see “what’s inside my wallet,” per the plea from Capital One!
I’ll share with you what I am a member of:
Subway Rewards & Cash Card where I can eat “FRESH”
Schlotzsky’s – funny name, serious sandwich and where every 9th meal is free
Hilton Honors VIP club where 20,000 points grants me a free night’s stay
Priority Club with Holiday Inn where 15,000 points grants me a free night’s stay
Blockbuster where I may rent movies and earn free rentals
US AIR Dividend Miles grants me free airfare after a billion miles
Dick’s Scorecard Rewards Club where every season begins at Dick’s
American Express where “membership has its privileges”
AAA where I can save while traveling and travel assistance when needed
All of these companies provide great incentives and rewards as long as I continue to do business with them. In other words, I am a member and can maintain in good standing as long as my money stays with these companies.
Unfortunately, the consumer mentality has encroached upon the local church. Many people shop for churches like they shop for underwear; looking for what these consumers can get out of it and maximize its use. Sadly, once the benefit is gone, so are these consumers on to the next church to see what they may “consume” from them.
I have encountered folks who want to go to church but do not want to be a “member” of a church, because they do not believe that God’s word teaches them to be a member of a local congregation. Huh? Who licked the peanut butter off of their toastchee nab?
At Temple Baptist Church, we recognize the need for formal membership into a local congregation.
First of all, IT IS BIBLICAL! Ephesians 5:25 says “Christ loved the church and gave His life for her.” Membership shows our commitment to Christ and it helps you to “plant the flag” here in eastern NC. It helps you to stand as one in the community together with this body of believers. Purposely together, we will reach out and invite people to receive Jesus Christ and incorporate them into His family, facilitate their spiritual growth into His image, cultivate their ministry in His Kingdom, in order to celebrate the joy of God’s glory.
Second, we live in a culture where no one wants to commit to anything. We witness a lack of commitment to jobs, marriages, and family that produces church hoppers and shoppers. Membership makes a statement that you will go against this cultural mentality. Membership, I believe, helps you to be part of the sanctification, setting you apart from the norms of this society and helps to protect, preserve, and continue the distinct Christian values, beliefs, and teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ! It gives implementation to our vision as we “teach those that we reach how to live in the Kingdom of God NOW as apprentices of Jesus Christ.”
Thirdly, we believe that membership has a benefit to help you with spiritual growth as the New Testament emphasizes the need for Christians to be accountable, to be loving, to be people of prayer, and to help with one another’s burdens. It is a place where others who love you can care for you and pray for you and it is also a place that you can love, share, and care for others. It provides a place that can shape you to be all that God has for you to be in this life here on earth. It is a sad existence to never realize the potential in us that we have from God when we fail to commit. When we do commit, and allow God to begin a work in us and through us, we see a life full of potential begin to bloom and shape to be what God originally designed us to be - the light of the world.
If you have yet to become a member of a church, we would like to invite you to join us here at Temple. Church membership is open to anyone who has made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and willingness to be baptized by immersion, if not done so already.
We offer several options for joining our membership. During the invitation time, you may walk to the front of the sanctuary where one of the worship ministry leaders will help you. During Class 101, you will be offered an opportunity to join. You may also call me at 633-3330 or email me at dradford@templeonline.net for any questions that you may have. I will be glad to help.
We are better together than apart and by coming together, learning and growing in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, we can spread God’s word. Let’s grow together that we may be givers and leave things better than the way we once found them, that we may forget the foolish things of this world that causes us pain and destroys our Spirit, and instead engage in the things of God.
