If you have never belonged to any church:

Our greatest concern is for your spiritual well-being. You must first believe (trust) in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 26:31). Christ died to pay the penalty for your sins. When you confess your sins and trust him for forgiveness, he will not only grant forgiveness, but will give you the assurance of His abiding presence.

Such a faith in your heart must be openly acknowledged before men (Romans 10:9-10). Jesus said, “Everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32). We provide an opportunity each Sunday for you to make a public profession of your faith. Following this public decision, you will, on a later Sunday, be baptized into the church membership.

If you belong to another Southern Baptist Church:

Every Christian should have his or her membership in the city of residence. Since church membership is a fellowship with other believers, one can only be a real church member of a fellowship which is near enough to attend regularly. If the Lord so leads, we invite you to unite with this congregation by transfer of membership. You may come forward at the end of the service and express your desire to the pastor to join by transfer of letter. Our office will write your former church to secure your letter of transfer.

 

If you are not sure you can furnish a letter:

Your membership record may not be available because a church disbanded or a building burned. Perhaps you have been away so long that you fear your name has been removed from the roll. Or, once a Baptist, you joined another denomination, but wish to join our congregation now. You need not delay.

When the invitation is given, come forward and say that you wish to join by statement, expressing to the pastor the circumstances. This means that we accept you on your statement that you have made a commitment of your life to Christ, have been baptized, and wish to become a member of this congregation.

If you belong to another denomination:

You may come forward during the invitation hymn, stating you are a Christian and a member of a church of a different denomination, but that you now desire to be a member of this congregation. If you have not been baptized by immersion, you will need to do so to become a member of our congregation.