1          Why Membership?

As pastors and elders in the local church God holds us accountable for those placed in our care - see Hebrews 13 verse 17. Church membership helps define the circle of where our responsibility begins and ends. We also need to know who is with us - just as any team needs to know who are the players and who are the spectators. There is not much point in thinking you have 200 frontline troops if, on the day of the battle, only 23 turn up.

To the best of our ability we will treat you with respect and dignity in all our dealings with you, but belonging to a local church also places certain responsibilities on members to pray, support, help and give in a variety of different ways in order to see people reached with the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.

To be fully effective for Christ, the church needs members to be committed to playing a full role in church life, as far as they are able to do so. We therefore strongly encourage members to aspire to and demonstrate the core values set out under paragraph 4 of this document. We hope that members will feel they are able to support the church by their attitudes, words and actions. Together we need to be determined to avoid criticism, moaning and grumbling about each other, which ultimately lead to division.

Every local Christian church will have a slightly different vision and style. Our style is that we are strongly Bible believing, and therefore evangelical. Some would describe us as “charismatic.” That means are open to the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives and meetings. You need to consider whether you feel at home here and can work with and be part of the developing vision of Battle Baptist Church in the 21st century. If you don’t feel at home there are other local churches where you may well feel more comfortable and our desire is that you be a member in the place where you can best grow and serve so that God’s purposes for you and for this area can be fulfilled.

Battle Baptist Church is only a part of what God is doing in East Sussex. To help you decide whether or not this is the place for you we encourage you to get involved in the church for at least three months before asking to join. We would also encourage you to read “Towards 2020 Vision” to begin to understand some of our heart for seeing the purposes of God achieved through the ministry of this church. There are many opportunities to serve God in the context of this church and each week there are countless jobs, which need to be done to enable the whole mission to move forward.

2          Joining Battle Baptist Church

Prospective members will be expected to attend a “Building your faith” or “Alpha” group, which operates on one night a week over several weeks. At other times we will chat with the prospective member. Normally two other members outside the leadership team will also be involved in the process. We try to find out the following.

  • The story of how you came to be a Christian.
  • That you have been baptised by immersion or plan to be baptised shortly.
  • That you are willing to make Battle Baptist your spiritual home and become part of a mid week group where possible.
  • That you are committed to supporting the work financially. New members who pay income tax are encouraged to gift aid their offerings and will be approached by a member of the financial team. All donations remain strictly confidential.
  • That you have been regular in attendance for at least three months.
  • That you are familiar with our five year plan and want to play a part in its implementation.
  • That you have understood the responsibilities and privileges of church membership.

We are a growing church and expect to continue growing, as many local people need conversion. We are a church widely scattered in East Sussex with activities centred on but not exclusive to Zion Chapel in Battle.  Because we are scattered, a high priority is placed on attending the central gatherings. During the week we are engaged in an unseen spiritual battle throughout the area - Sundays give us an opportunity to regroup before going back to the war front in our own location. We have no plans at present to plant congregations in outlying villages, but are open to that changing. Our aim at the moment is to use homes in villages for midweek groups and channel our resources for the work of the ministry such as evangelising, caring, training and sending. We want Battle Baptist Church to feel like home to its members whether they attend the chapel, the meetings at Claverham Community College or mid-week in houses. Just because we have grown it needn’t stop feeling like home. All the time we are committed to our core values, are involved in doing something for the fellowship and are building some close relationships it will still feel like home. This is why belonging to mid-week small groups is such an important part of our vision.

As you go on to read the more formal part of this document, which includes the rules by which our church governs itself, we hope you will want to become part of the on-going story of Battle Baptist Church.

3          Battle Baptist Church

Battle Baptist Church welcomes new members. The church began in 1780 and has provided an unbroken witness to the saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ in Battle and the surrounding area. Our Core Values, together with Standing Orders governing the conduct of our formal business provide a simple framework for a life of faith and witness.

In Britain church property is held in trust and not owned by individuals. The Church Trust Deeds give a legal basis for the acquisition and management of property, charitable funds and the appointment or dismissal of staff. A copy of the “Fuller” Church Trust Deeds is kept in the church office or may be obtained from The Baptist Union. The Deacons, together with the Elders appointed by the church, have the role of local managing trustees and the ultimate ownership of the property and assets is vested in The Baptist Union Corporation.

Each local Baptist Church is self-governing but a church may not take any action, which contravenes their Trust Deeds or the requirements of the various Charities Acts. Church organisations are required to operate under the terms of Health and Safety Legislation, the Children’s Act and the church’s own “Safe to Grow” child protection policy.

4          Our Core Values

Battle Baptist Church has 6 BAYEUX principles, which are set out in our Vision to 2020 document (available from the Church Office). The 6 core values that underpin these principles are set out as follows.

1.         Members of Battle Baptist Church shall believe in the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ and the authority of the Holy Scriptures. On a confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, those wishing to become members will be encouraged to be baptised by immersion.

2.         Members are encouraged to be regular at the celebrations of the Lord’s Supper. The Lord’s Table is open to all Christian people who may be present when the ordinance is administered.

3.         Members are encouraged to get to know other members so that wherever possible we may express our sympathy with one another in times of stress or trial or sorrow, and in all ways attempt to fulfil the law of Christ in carrying one another’s burdens.  Please let the pastor(s) or elders know if there are cases of sickness or distress among the members.

4.         Members will watch over one another according to Scripture. Sadly there may be times when members are involved in serious lapses of moral standards which clearly contravene biblical teaching - for example lying, stealing, violence, drunkenness and sexual immorality. We will watch over each other and address such behaviour so as to encourage one another in the development of our Christian faith. Where repentance is sincere no further action will be taken. Should such behaviour persist the matter will be brought to the attention of a church meeting where the person’s membership may be withdrawn. The purpose of church discipline is two fold. Firstly there is a hope that the action will enable the person to come to genuine repentance; and secondly the action is a protection for the rest of the church.

5.         Members will meet together on Sundays and in house groups, as we may have opportunity. We will stir up each other to love and good works; endeavouring by all means to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

6.         Members will walk together in humility and love. We will study each other’s advantage; pray for each other, for the prosperity of the church, for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit of God, which will lead to conversions and growth in grace. Members will not disclose to non-church members confidential information of which we may become aware through our attendance at church meetings or other involvement in the local church.

 

5          Standing Orders of Battle Baptist Church

Membership

1a.       The Elders: consider applications for membership of the church; appoint visitors; and receive a written report on the candidate’s Christian experience. Names of those applying for membership are brought to the attention of the members. If an existing member raises any queries, the matter is held over for discussion at the next Church meeting. If no queries are raised and a satisfactory report is forthcoming from the visitors, new members are welcomed at the earliest possible opportunity.

1b.       When applicants to join Battle Baptist church have previously left another church we will want to ensure there are no outstanding problems with the previous church and may need to contact another church leader to check this. If there are outstanding problems we will encourage the individual to do all in their power to put things right before proceeding with their membership application.

1c)     Before the end of every calendar year existing members, junior and adult, will be asked if they wish to continue their membership of Battle Baptist Church. The absence of a reply in the affirmative will normally lead to the removal of that member’s name from the list from 1st January of the subsequent year.

2.         Visitors to prospective members should stress the importance of attendance at worship on the Sunday, regular participation in the Lord’s Supper, housegroups and Members meetings.

3.         Junior members

a)         Those baptised as believers under the age of 18 will be welcomed as Junior Church Members. They may attend and contribute to Church Meetings but shall not be entitled to vote before their 18th birthday.

b)         On reaching the age of 18, Junior Members shall be welcomed again publicly as full adult members (subject to the normal membership process).

c)         Junior members not having attained the age of 18, shall not be included in any statistical returns we may make to the Baptist Union and the South East Baptist Association. Their names shall be included on the church list but with the addition of a “J” afterwards.

4.         Church Meetings

a)           The Trust Deed requires a minimum of four church meetings to be held each year one of which will be the Annual General Meeting at which a copy of accounts will be available for the approval of members.  Under the terms of the Trust Deed, church meetings may be called whenever the Pastor(s) and/or a majority of the Elders and Deacons desire as long as the correct public notice is given. 

b)         Subject to the exceptions mentioned in the Trust Deeds or Current Standing Orders all matters brought before the church shall be decided by a majority of members present at the meeting.

c)         Non-members who are regular in attendance at worship may come to church meetings but will not be asked to speak or vote. They may be asked to leave the meeting if a confidential matter is being discussed.

d)         Items for the agenda of a church meeting should normally be given in writing 14 days before the proposed meeting. Should this not be possible items for inclusion under “Any Other Business” will be allowed only at the discretion of the Chair of the meeting and only then if notified to the Chair at least an hour before the start of the meeting.

e)         In the light of the Battle Baptist Church core values, the Elders will regularly review the list of church members and shall bring to the attention of a church meeting, for appropriate action, the names of any whose attendance at worship has been irregular or who give other causes for concern and who have not responded positively to attempts to restore them.

f)          Standing Orders may be altered at any properly convened church meeting providing the members have been given notice of the proposed changes and the changes do not contravene the Trust Deeds.

5.         Offerings

a)         Offerings in public services will or will not be taken up at the pastor(s) discretion.

b)         All members are encouraged to support financially the work of Battle Baptist Church including those who live at too great a distance to unite with us for worship. Members are encouraged to consider the merits of tithing.

6.         Appointment of Elders

Names of prospective Elders will normally be brought to an Annual General Meeting by the pastor(s). They will be members of at least 6 months standing who are not barred from holding office under the terms of the Charity Act. Candidates will need the support of at least two-thirds of those present and voting. The period of service is three years from the time of appointment. Elders may be reappointed.

7.         Appointment of Deacons

The Deacons will be elected annually from among members of more than six months standing who are not barred from holding office under the terms of the Charities Act. Every member is encouraged to take part in the nominating process by marking on a list of names of those they think should be appointed to the Deacons.

The Elders will appoint a scrutineer from among themselves to see which nominees have general support of church members and the nominees will be approached. If they are agreeable their names will be published two weeks before the Annual General Meeting. A secret ballot will be held and those elected will require the support of at least two-thirds from those present and voting. Absent members may make their views known to the meeting by means of a letter but a letter will not be deemed to be a vote. The Church Treasurer and Church Manager shall be regarded as ex-officio Deacons during their period of office.

Upon leaving office they will cease to be part of the Deacons unless otherwise elected. The Church Treasurer will be appointed annually or in the absence of other nominations given a vote of confidence at the Annual Church Meeting.

8.         Attendance at Deacons and Elders Meetings

Members of the church may be invited to attend Deacons or Elders meetings from time to time when matters concerning them may arise.

9.         Testing the Call of a Member to full time service

Any member of the church feeling called by God to Christian service, and which requires financial support from the fellowship, shall be invited to give an account of their call to a Church Meeting. That call shall be endorsed by the support of 75% of the members present and voting.

10.       The Elders and Deacons can, when staffing needs arise and church finances permit, appoint part-time and full time staff to carry out tasks in all areas of church life, both practical and pastoral or spiritual (subject to rule 9 above and the provisions in the Trust Deeds).