Becoming a Member of First Baptist Winter Haven
A prospective church member may present himself as a candidate for church membership at any worship service of the church, in any one of the following ways:
1. By a public profession of faith in, and commitment to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, followed by baptism by immersion.
2. By request for believer's baptism: Upon public reaffirmation of faith in, and commitment to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and in agreement with beliefs about salvation and baptism as described in The Baptist Faith and Message.
"Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior, the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead. Being a church ordinance, it is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and to the Lord's Supper." (The Baptist Faith and Message Article VII, Section 1, Baptism.)
3. By letter of transfer from another Baptist church: Upon public reaffirmation of faith in, and commitment to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
4. By public statement of previous Baptist membership: Upon public reaffirmation of faith in, and commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
5. In Absentia: Upon reaffirmation of this faith in, and commitment to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. A person providentially hindered from attending worship service in person my request membership by any way the church accepts a candidate for membership.
6. Watchcare may be granted active members of Baptist churches who temporarily reside in the community, but who, because of circumstances, maintain their membership in their home state. Such affiliation shall automatically cease should the residence become permanent or the circumstances preventing transfer of full membership be removed. A person under watchcare could present themselves for full membership at any worship service. Those under watchcare would not be entitled to the privileges of membership as explained below.
Rights of Members
1. Every member of the church is entitled to vote at all elections and on all questions submitted to the church in conference, provided the member is present.
2. Every member of the church is eligible for consideration by the membership as candidates for elective offices in the church.
3. Every member of the church may participate in the ordinances of the church as administered by the church.
