When God saves a sinner through faith in the blood of his cross (Eph 2:1-10), that person is adopted into God’s family (Rom 8:15) and becomes a member of the body of Christ (Eph 2:11-22). This worldwide church is made manifest in many local churches, including Gulf Coast Community Church of Brandon. In the New Testament God has laid out many instructions regarding the leadership (I Tim 3:1-13) and life of the local church. Pursuing membership at this local church is a recognition of God’s sovereign placement of each Christian in a local church, that we may use our God-given gifts in that context to build up the church, and to be built up by others in the church (I Cor 12:1-26).

We believe that scripture teaches several basic qualifications for a person to be a member in a local church:

1. BORN AGAIN (Jhn 3:3).
   In order for a person to be a member of a local church, he or she must first become a member of the worldwide church by being born again through faith in Christ.

2. NOT UNDER CHURCH DISCIPLINE (Matt 18:15-20).
   If a person has been rightly subject to a church disciplinary process and has not yet been restored, repentance and restoration must occur before church membership can be considered.

3. AGREE IN GENERAL WITH THE TEACHING AND LEADERSHIP OF THE CHURCH (Heb 13:17; Acts 17:11).
   In order to become a member, a person must not necessarily agree with every detail in the church’s statement of faith, but must be able to affirm the statement of faith in good conscience, affirm the elders’ leadership and teaching of God’s word, and affirm the member commitments.

In order to discern whether these qualifications are met, the elders have laid out the following steps for prospective members:

1. MUST BE 16 YEARS OLD OR OLDER.
   This is in accordance with our church’s bylaws which states, “Given the nature of the responsibilities and accountability involved with church membership, members must be at least sixteen (16) years of age.”

2. PARTICIPATE REGULARLY IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH FOR AT LEAST SIX MONTHS.
   This period provides the prospective member and the elders time to get to know each other better and develop discernment regarding the membership qualifications.

3. CAREFULLY REVIEW OUR STATEMENT OF FAITH AND OUR MEMBER COMMITMENTS.
4. PARTICIPATE IN A MEMBERSHIP INTERVIEW WITH ONE OR MORE OF THE ELDERS.
   This is the final step in discerning the biblical qualifications of the prospective member and allows opportunity for questions, discussion and pastoral care.

We, the members of Gulf Coast Community Church of Brandon, having repented of our sins, having believed in Jesus Christ for the salvation of our souls, and having been baptized into his body, do hereby acknowledge together, as God’s holy people in this local church, that our lives are to be governed by the Word of God, empowered by the Spirit of God, in order to magnify the Son of God, Jesus Christ who is our Lord and Savior. With the help of the Holy Spirit who is at work in us, we are committed to pursuing obedience to Scripture . The following are examples of scriptural teachings and are not exhaustive:

1. TO LOVE GOD WITH ALL OUR HEART, MIND, SOUL, AND STRENGTH. (Matt 22:37)
   1. We commit to worshipping God alone, treasuring him above everyone and everything else (Exo 20:3).
   2. We commit to study, and be governed by God’s word in all areas of life; (2Tim 3:16)
   3. We commit to a life of pure and authentic personal and corporate worship; (Ps 138:1; Eph 5:19)
   4. We commit to pursue a life of holiness, both personally and corporately; (Eph 1:4)
   5. We commit to love what God loves and to hate what He hates; (Rom 12:9; Eph 5:1-10)
   6. We commit to keeping our eyes on Jesus as we “run the race;” (Heb 12:1-2)
   7. We commit to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. (Gal 5:16)
2. TO LOVE EACH OTHER AS WE LOVE OURSELVES, AS BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST. (Matt 22:39; 1Jhn 4:21)
   1. We commit to pray for each other; (Jas 5:16)
   2. We commit to always speak the truth in love, pursuing reconciliation when offended and rejecting all opportunities to speak or hear gossip or slander; (Eph 4:15)
   3. We commit to sharing our wealth and resources sacrificially and cheerfully; (2 Cor 8:1-9)
   4. We commit to pursue regular fellowship, and to use our spiritual gifts to build each other up; (1Pet 4:10)
   5. We commit to exhort, reprove, and rebuke one another when needed, and support the elders’ application of church discipline; (2Tim 4:2; Matt 18:15-17)
   6. We commit to treat one another with purity in thought and conduct; (1Tim 5:1-2; 1Pet 1:22)
   7. We commit to pursue unity as a body, be patient with each other, and forgive each other. (Eph 4:1-3)
3. TO LOVE THE LOST IN THE NAME OF CHRIST. (Matt 22:39)
   1. We commit to share the gospel with the lost; (1Pet 3:15)
   2. We commit to care for the poor and needy, as we are able; (Pro 14:31)
   3. We commit to use our energy and resources to make disciples of all nations; (Matt 28:18-20)
   4. We commit to speak up, stand up, and/or intervene for the persecuted, oppressed, and vulnerable as we are able; (Isa 1:16-17, Jas 1:27)
   5. We commit to love those who hate us, and pray for their salvation; (Matt 5:44)
   6. We commit to be honest and Christ-like in all our dealings with the world; (Eph. 5:8-9)
   7. We commit to joyfully endure suffering for the cause of Christ. (Rom 5:3)

We agree in good conscience with the church’s statement of faith and understand that God has ordained Gulf Coast Community Church of Brandon to be governed by elders who are responsible for the welfare of its members, who will one day stand before Jesus to give an account for their service. Therefore, we willingly and gladly submit to their leadership, teaching and care, to the praise and glory of God’s holy name.