Guide to Members

Application for Membership

Application for membership may be made to the Minister, Church Secretary, or any of the Deacons. Such applications shall be proposed at a Deacons’ meeting and after visitation and a satisfactory report from visitors appointed by the Deacons, the applicant shall be accepted at a subsequent Church Meeting. Candidates will then be welcomed into membership at the next convenient celebration of the Lord’s Supper.

Members transferred from other Christian Churches are received by letters of transfer or on profession of faith, as above, such applications being voted upon in the manner outlined.

Obligations

Members are expected to support their Church loyally in all its activities, by attending regularly the services, and contributing to its support as God has prospered them, and with God’s help to lead lives regulated by the teaching and inspired by the Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Minister
The Minister is a baptised member of the Baptist Denomination and is elected by a majority of not less than three fourths of the members present at a Church Meeting duly assembled for that purpose by public notice given in the Church during public worship on the two Sundays immediately prior to such Church Meeting.

Church Officers

The Officers of the Church shall consist of the Minister and Deacons.
The Secretary and Treasurer are elected by ballot from the Diaconate at the Annual Church Meeting.
The Diaconate consists of between four and nine members. They are elected after their agreed nomination for three years. One third of the Diaconate retire each year and are eligible for re-election. The election is by ballot at the Annual Church Meeting.

The Lord’s Supper

The Ordinance of the Lord’s Supper is observed on the first Sunday evening and the third Sunday morning of each month. Every member shall regard it as a solemn obligation and privilege to attend this service regularly. This is an open membership Church, and as such all those who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and truth may partake of the Lord’s Supper.

Believers’ Baptism

As a Baptist Church we follow the teaching of the Scriptures regarding Baptism by total immersion on profession of faith. Every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ may be admitted to the ordinance whether or not such a candidate desires Church Membership.

Marriage

This Church requires couples living together as husband and wife to be legally married before applying for full membership, and in order that relationships are in accordance with Scripture, this Church cannot condone same-gender unions.

Church Meetings

A General Church Meeting is held not less than once a quarter. Notice of such meeting is given at both services on the preceding Sunday. A Special Church Meeting may be called at the discretion of the Minister and the majority of Deacons or at the request of one sixth of the Church Members.
At the Annual General Church Meeting held in March the election of Officers takes place, financial statements are presented, and reports made of the various Societies.
All business at Church Meetings is to be considered confidential.
Only members aged eighteen years and over are allowed to vote.

Church Organisations

The Minister is ex-officio president of all societies.
Meetings and Services on the Church premises are held with the permission of the Minister and Deacons and upon such conditions as they may decide.
The affairs of the Sunday School shall be managed by a Committee consisting of the Officers of the Church and the Officers and Teachers of the Sunday School.
Any other society established in connection with the Church shall be organised and managed on a similar basis.

Church Finance

The church depends upon the voluntary offerings of its members, and to assist regular giving there is an envelope scheme. Those members who pay tax may consider covenanting their giving as this will increase benefit to the Church.
The funds are controlled by Officers elected at the Annual Meeting and all cheques are countersigned by a Deacon.
The accounts are audited by nominees appointed by the Annual Meeting.
Note: Should any further information be desired it will be gladly given by the Minister or Deacons.

This is the guide to members last updated in 1998, based on earlier versions that go back to the foundation of the church in 1906. The language may seem a little old fashioned, but it sets out the basis on which the church has operated for almost 100 years.

Membership is open to all who profess repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord, and whose lives bear evidence of their Christian profession.

Stechford Baptist Church • Victoria Road • Stechford • Birmingham B33 8AH. Map. Stechford is in the Stechford and Yardley North Ward, and is close to Hodge Hill.