ARTICLE 1     MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1.   RECEPTION OF MEMBERS

Upon their salvation, believers become a member of the universal Body of Christ.  Membership in the local church is a voluntary association and carries with it certain privileges and responsibilities in the fellowship of the local church.  Those who are qualified for membership in [Gateway or Killarney] are those who:

1.     Have made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ having repented of their sins and placed their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.

2.     Have been scripturally baptized by immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit following their profession of faith. (If a person is not physically able to undergo baptism, the pastors of the church may recommend to the church that the individual be received as a member based on their testimony of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ and meeting the other criteria for membership. This would not apply to a temporary/short-term physical inability to be baptized by immersion).

3.     Have presented themselves as a candidate for membership and are willing to adopt the faith and practice of this church as presented in the Constitution and By-Laws of the church. The Pastors Council will require candidates for membership to  be  interviewed prior to a vote of the church on the candidate’s membership, and may require them to  attend an orientation or class prior to a vote of the church on the candidate’s membership.

Any person upon having met the above qualifications, will become a member of this church upon the favorable vote of the majority of the membership present and voting at any meeting of the church.

SECTION 2.   GENERAL DUTIES OF MEMBERS

Members are to be actively engaged in the life of the church according to their abilities and spiritual gifting as disciples of Jesus Christ in cooperation and fellowship with the members of this church to carry out the mission of purposes of God in Jesus Christ in accordance with the teachings of scripture. This includes the following:

1.     A lifestyle of love and faithfulness to God, the Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in the power of the Holy Spirit.

2.     Love for others especially for fellow believers in the church and a commitment to the building up and the unity of the Body of Christ.

3.     A regular practice of individual prayer and prayer with others in the church.

4.     A personal commitment to living according to teachings of scripture through personal study and through study together with other members of the church.

5.     Active participation in the life of the church through corporate worship, giving financially, active participation in small group ministry, service in the church, and ministry and the sharing of the Good News of Jesus Christ to those outside of the church.

6.     A person who is not able to attend due to health, age, or other limiting circumstances  may still be active through participation in life groups that meet via online or phone platform, online services and/or through the care ministry of life groups and the church.