Are these common practices?

[Mammie5]

Please forgive me if this question is not in the correct place

In my search for a church to attend regularly. I have been researching churches in my area online and ran across a Baptist church that "requires" you to complete four tasks which they describe as the pathway to discipleship and membership in this particular church....

1. A 7 part connection class (I'm not sure what that entails)
2. Baptism
3. Walking the Aisle at the end of a service
4. Finally an interview and covenant with the church which is signing of church covenant and an interview with an elder ......

Perhaps the connection classes could be similar to a new believer course. I'm "older" and have never heard of actually signing a contract with a church to become a member.........the actual signing of a covenant with a church......is that common practice?

 

[tampasteve]

I have been a member of multiple churches, but I have never had to sign any sort of contract. Classes are standard, Baptism for the un-baptized makes sense, maybe walking the aisle too (kind of weird, but not that odd). An interview with an elder or pastor makes a sort of sense (although I have not done it), and I have heard about that before...but it seems like that would be done before the other steps, or at least after the classes and before the contract, etc. The previous churches I have been a member of had the Pastor as the class "teacher", so an individual meeting would not really be necessary.

Are they re-baptizing people, or is that only for the un-baptized?

 

[Mammie5]

I have been a member of multiple churches, but I have never had to sign any sort of contract. Classes are standard, Baptism for the un-baptized makes sense, maybe walking the aisle too (kind of weird, but not that odd). An interview with an elder or pastor makes a sort of sense (although I have not done it), and I have heard about that before...but it seems like that would be done before the other steps, or at least after the classes and before the contract, etc. The previous churches I have been a member of had the Pastor as the class "teacher", so an individual meeting would not really be necessary.

Are they re-baptizing people, or is that only for the un-baptized?

Their website says "After accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you must be (or have been) baptized by immersion." so I assume they are not re-baptizing only baptizing.

It's the interview and actual signing of a contract that is making me feel some sort of way......

 

[lsume]

Please forgive me if this question is not in the correct place

In my search for a church to attend regularly. I have been researching churches in my area online and ran across a Baptist church that "requires" you to complete four tasks which they describe as the pathway to discipleship and membership in this particular church....

1. A 7 part connection class (I'm not sure what that entails)
2. Baptism
3. Walking the Aisle at the end of a service
4. Finally an interview and covenant with the church which is signing of church covenant and an interview with an elder ......

Perhaps the connection classes could be similar to a new believer course. I'm "older" and have never heard of actually signing a contract with a church to become a member.........the actual signing of a covenant with a church......is that common practice?

Seems like a lot to do. The good news is that coming to Christ can probably be done without some or all of those rules. I’m certainly not sure exactly what is implied by the edicts mentioned and further comment could be injurious.

 

[Leaf473]

Please forgive me if this question is not in the correct place

In my search for a church to attend regularly. I have been researching churches in my area online and ran across a Baptist church that "requires" you to complete four tasks which they describe as the pathway to discipleship and membership in this particular church....

1. A 7 part connection class (I'm not sure what that entails)
2. Baptism
3. Walking the Aisle at the end of a service
4. Finally an interview and covenant with the church which is signing of church covenant and an interview with an elder ......

Perhaps the connection classes could be similar to a new believer course. I'm "older" and have never heard of actually signing a contract with a church to become a member.........the actual signing of a covenant with a church......is that common practice?

Are you just looking for a church to attend, or are you considering joining as a member?

A lot of churches have steps like that they want people to take in order to become members. So that's actually common, yes.

Myself, I shy away from things like that. Maybe it's just my personality.

Now if you're just looking for a place to attend and they want you to do all that, I think that's not very common at all.

The vast majority of churches will let pretty much anyone come and sit in a pew. It's only if you want to take on a position of responsibility that they want you to take some steps usually.

May God be with you and guide your search!

 

[Mink61]

Please forgive me if this question is not in the correct place

In my search for a church to attend regularly. I have been researching churches in my area online and ran across a Baptist church that "requires" you to complete four tasks which they describe as the pathway to discipleship and membership in this particular church....

1. A 7 part connection class (I'm not sure what that entails)
2. Baptism
3. Walking the Aisle at the end of a service
4. Finally an interview and covenant with the church which is signing of church covenant and an interview with an elder ......

Perhaps the connection classes could be similar to a new believer course. I'm "older" and have never heard of actually signing a contract with a church to become a member.........the actual signing of a covenant with a church......is that common practice?

Umm...yeah...(*scratches head*) Uh...no.

Although I'm Catholic, I never heard of this, either.

While 'converts' to Catholicism have certain "requirements", there's no document that they need to sign regarding their profession of faith.

Not trying to convert you, Mammie5, but just letting you know that even the Catholic Church--being known for its strict 'rules'-- doesn't require us to sign any document about our faith.

I'd seriously consider a different church...

 

[Mammie5]

Are you just looking for a church to attend, or are you considering joining as a member?

A lot of churches have steps like that they want people to take in order to become members. So that's actually common, yes.

Myself, I shy away from things like that. Maybe it's just my personality.

Now if you're just looking for a place to attend and they want you to do all that, I think that's not very common at all.

The vast majority of churches will let pretty much anyone come and sit in a pew. It's only if you want to take on a position of responsibility that they want you to take some steps usually.

May God be with you and guide your search!

I am looking to find a church to attend on a regular basis and not considering membership at this point.

 

[Mammie5]

Umm...yeah...(*scratches head*) Uh...no.

Although I'm Catholic, I never heard of this, either.

While 'converts' to Catholicism have certain "requirements", there's no document that they need to sign regarding their profession of faith.

Not trying to convert you, Mammie5, but just letting you know that even the Catholic Church--being known for its strict 'rules'-- doesn't require us to sign any document about our faith.

I'd seriously consider a different church...

I was going to listen to an online sermon and was on their website looking for their statement of beliefs or their what we believe section and found the what to expect section and there were the "steps" and the contract struck me as "odd" .......

 

[Leaf473]

I am looking to find a church to attend on a regular basis and not considering membership at this point.

Well, just my two cents then...

It sounds like kind of an uptight church, and for me that would be a red flag. But that's kind of my personality.

It could be that they are a church that has strong opinions wants there to be a high degree of uniformity amongst its members. And that can really work for many people!

 

[seeking.IAM]

I have been members of Methodist and Episcopal churches in my lifetime so this is a much different tradition than that with which I am familiar. I have no idea what "walking the aisle" even means. I am interested in learning more about this if someone could explain.

I talked to a family this week whose 12-year old is on pathway to get baptized. She is all-in on baptism and is quite excited about it except their church is requiring her to do a video profession of faith to show to the congregation. She doesn't want to be on camera, doesn't want it to be shown to the church. Can you imagine John the Baptist at the river telling Jesus, "Sorry, mate, you have to do a video first?" Sometimes our rules are just silly. Or Jesus saying, "My child have you been baptized?" "Sorry, Lord, I wanted to but, you see, there was this video." Arggghhhhh.

 

[Mammie5]

I have been members of Methodist and Episcopal churches in my lifetime so this is a much different tradition than that with which I am familiar. I have no idea what "walking the aisle" even means. I am interested in learning more about this if someone could explain.

I talked to a family this week whose 12-year old is on pathway to get baptized. She is all-in on baptism and is quite excited about it except their church is requiring her to do a video profession of faith to show to the congregation. She doesn't want to be on camera, doesn't want it to be shown to the church. Can you imagine John the Baptist at the river telling Jesus, "Sorry, mate, you have to do a video first?" Sometimes our rules are just silly. Or Jesus saying, "My child have you been baptized?" "Sorry, Lord, I wanted to but, you see, there was this video." Arggghhhhh.

I'm leaning to the walking the aisle as more of a public profession of faith as I am familiar with that, but could be wrong.

I agree some rules are silly and I think unfortunately turn some away from church

 

[Mink61]

I was going to listen to an online sermon and was on their website looking for their statement of beliefs or their what we believe section and found the what to expect section and there were the "steps" and the contract struck me as "odd" .......

O.k. Maybe try to go for a church that's non-denominational at this point in your journey.

Like Dolly Parton said in Steel Magnolias..."God don't care which church you show up at...as long as you show up."

The written contract strikes me as odd, too. I mean, it's Lent right now, in the Catholic faith. But NO ONE signs some "contract" saying what they'll 'give up' for Lent!

Pay attention to Dolly Parton. To me, she was right.

 

[d taylor]

Please forgive me if this question is not in the correct place

In my search for a church to attend regularly. I have been researching churches in my area online and ran across a Baptist church that "requires" you to complete four tasks which they describe as the pathway to discipleship and membership in this particular church....

1. A 7 part connection class (I'm not sure what that entails)
2. Baptism
3. Walking the Aisle at the end of a service
4. Finally an interview and covenant with the church which is signing of church covenant and an interview with an elder ......

Perhaps the connection classes could be similar to a new believer course. I'm "older" and have never heard of actually signing a contract with a church to become a member.........the actual signing of a covenant with a church......is that common practice?

Not sure where you are and even if there would be one near you, but i would seek out a free grace church. Here is a link to a church tracker.

Free Grace Church and Bible Study Tracker – Grace Evangelical Society

 

[miamited]

Hi @Mammie5

Perhaps the connection classes could be similar to a new believer course. I'm "older" and have never heard of actually signing a contract with a church to become a member.........the actual signing of a covenant with a church......is that common practice?

I know! Right? I've been attending a new fellowship in the city I just moved to about 1.5 years ago. It's a wonderful fellowship with several outreach programs and I enjoy the teaching, although the teacher is not a, what I understand, a Scriptural believer in the creation event. But to be a member, one must take, yes it seems to be required, a 6 week course all about the history of the fellowship, as if I care, and, I'm sure some issues that cover being a believer and all that entails. I've been going now for about a year and I just haven't become a member. I get emails and letters from the fellowship and I can participate in most any outreach work or other bible study or small group meetings. I'm just not a member. My name isn't on the roll. Personally that's fine with me, but much like you, I wonder when we began this, seems like a form of testing, to become a member of a fellowship. I'm 66 years old and have likely been a member of at least 5-6 fellowships in my life, and I honestly don't recall a one that didn't just allow that you gave your testimony that you were a believer and had been baptized by immersion to become a member.

Anyway, I enjoy the fellowship and since I can't really find any good reason to become a member, I'm just attending as a 'hanger on'. It doesn't seem to even effect my relationship with people in the small group or the congregation at large. I mean, nobody ever asks, "Are you a member?" You're there and they've seen you worship and attend for over a year and it doesn't seem to matter in the least that I am or am not an 'official' member of the fellowship. I do tithe and participate in special offerings.

BTW it is also a southern baptist associated denomination

God bless,
Ted

 

[Mammie5]

Hi @Mammie5
I wonder when we began this, seems like a form of testing, to become a member of a fellowship.

Those were my thoughts as well, I was like what if I failed the test... I cant have membership in this congregation? In my opinion, it doesn't line up with Scripture (please remember I am just recently back on my path with Christ, so no biblical scholar here by any means) that Jesus accepts you where you are because of Him and his grace, like I said I'm new, but I don't remember there being mention any sort of test or interview in the Bible in order to be adopted into God's family........

 

[seeking.IAM]

I'm leaning to the walking the aisle as more of a public profession of faith as I am familiar with that, but could be wrong.

I agree some rules are silly and I think unfortunately turn some away from church

I suppose walking the aisle yourself is preferrable to being dragged up the aisle and tossed in the baptismal. Still, I've never heard that phrase before.

 

[JAM2b]

I don't know what this particular church means by it, but generally "walking the aisle" is just in reference to walking up the aisle at the end of the service to talk to the pastor, pray, make a public profession of faith, or ask to join the church. Some people don't like to do it because of the attention it draws to them. I had a terrible time coming to point of baptism when I was a young teenager because it was required that you walk the aisle before they would talk to you about Baptism. This was in a Baptist church.

 

[JAM2b]

I've never seen a Baptist church have a class or interview before joining. They would ask you about salvation and Baptism, but it was a more informal conversation. If you were moving from another Baptist church, sometimes they would get a letter from your previous pastor. If you were not already baptized or were not baptized by submersion, then they would require you to do so.

 

[BobRyan]

Please forgive me if this question is not in the correct place

In my search for a church to attend regularly. I have been researching churches in my area online and ran across a Baptist church that "requires" you to complete four tasks which they describe as the pathway to discipleship and membership in this particular church....

1. A 7 part connection class (I'm not sure what that entails)
2. Baptism
3. Walking the Aisle at the end of a service
4. Finally an interview and covenant with the church which is signing of church covenant and an interview with an elder ......

Perhaps the connection classes could be similar to a new believer course. I'm "older" and have never heard of actually signing a contract with a church to become a member.........the actual signing of a covenant with a church......is that common practice?

Well almost all churches will want to meet with you, get to know your beliefs and have you introduced to the congregation before voting you into membership.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

Please forgive me if this question is not in the correct place

In my search for a church to attend regularly. I have been researching churches in my area online and ran across a Baptist church that "requires" you to complete four tasks which they describe as the pathway to discipleship and membership in this particular church....

1. A 7 part connection class (I'm not sure what that entails)
2. Baptism
3. Walking the Aisle at the end of a service
4. Finally an interview and covenant with the church which is signing of church covenant and an interview with an elder ......

Perhaps the connection classes could be similar to a new believer course. I'm "older" and have never heard of actually signing a contract with a church to become a member.........the actual signing of a covenant with a church......is that common practice?

Welcome to CF. It is unfortunate that many brick and mortar congregations are asking their flock to sign a covenant with their denomination. This is a direct violation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. This practice is very common however it does not mean it is righteous behavior. You can move on but you may experience the exact same thing or a version of it. Ultimately these congregations want your money and may not really care to guild you through your walk. Only you can be the judge of this. Blessings