The Bible knows nothing of “lone ranger” Christians, and as stated in Article X, ¶ 2, of the Christ Congregational Church Declaration of Faith, we believe it to be “the will of Christ that living believers should voluntarily assemble in local churches to observe religious ordinances, to promote mutual edification and holiness, to perpetuate and propagate the Gospel in the world, and to advance the glory and worship of God, through Jesus Christ.”
Should, after prayerful consideration, you be interested in membership at Christ Church, please know that, upon recommendation of the Minister(s), the church, according to its by-laws, may receive members in one of three ways:
Admission by Baptism— Any person who professes personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, and who personally accepts and affirms both the essential tenets of the faith as summarized in The Apostles’ Creed and the covenant statement of this Church (Christ Church Covenant), may be received into this church by Baptism as that rite is defined in the Christ Congregational Church Declaration of Faith, Article XI. Also, please see The Sacrament of Baptism for more information on baptism at Christ Church.
Admission by Transfer of Letter—Baptized members in good standing in other Christian churches may be received as members by transfer of membership or letter from said churches, provided such persons accept and affirm both the essential tenets of the faith as summarized in The Apostles’ Creed and the covenant statement of this church (Christ Church Covenant).
Admission by Experience or Restoration (Profession of Faith and Baptism)—All applicants for membership other than by baptism or transfer of letter, that is, by profession of Christian faith and experience if previously baptized, or by restoration, shall be received into the church in the same way as those by baptism (see above), except that the sacrament shall not be administered. This includes a provision which would allow persons who have been baptized as infants only to be admitted to the membership (as distinct from the leadership) of this church, provided that:
a. Such persons do not believe in baptismal regeneration; that is, they do not believe that the act of their baptism as infants actually saved them then or constituted a guarantee of saving grace to be granted to them at any point in the future;
b. Such persons do believe after significant thought, study, discussion and prayer, that it would be contrary to Scripture and conscience—and not just family tradition or personal desires—to be baptized now as a believer, and thus to hold their infant baptism as invalid.
c. Such persons do, even when holding firmly to views different from the official doctrinal position of this Church and its leadership regarding baptism, demonstrate a humble and teachable disposition with respect to the Church leadership, and to an understanding of the sacrament of baptism particularly. Please see The Sacrament of Baptism for more information on baptism at Christ Church.