Partnership

MEMBERSHIP & PARTNERSHIP

Membership at Caringbah Baptist Church is defined by our church constituion as in many tradiational Baptist churches.

The concept of church partnership emerged through necessity. In 2002 as the church began to grow strongly, we became aware in our own context, that we were entering a “post-denomenational” period. People were joining our church from most known evangelical denomenations and we needed to give them a formalised sense of belonging that was not dependant on whether or not they were baptized by immersion. In addition to this, we felt that our previous process of receiving new members lacked clear communication about where we’d come from as a church and where we believe the Lord was leading us.

Partnership allows a person to commit to CBC’s vision and direction and come under a framework of accountability. Partnership is a pre-requisite for membership, and a pre-requisite for most ministry positions within the church. Note that from time to time, people begin a ministry whilst waiting for another partnership course to be offered – this is at leadership discretion.

The partnership course involves an afternoon with church leadership where the history, heart, beliefs, staff, ministries and functionality of the church are detailed. Most importantly, the core beliefs of the church are identified and the prospective church partners are required to commit to these biblical tenets.

Church membership, in accirdance with the church constitution, allows a person to vote on formal matters of church governance such as finance, staffing, property, etc. Church members meet twice a year for main meetings and occassionally for special considerations & decisions. For day-to-day matters of church management, the church leadership (both paid and selected/gifted lay staff) are trusted by the membership to execute directives ratified by vote at membership meetings.

For the further step to membership, the partner seeks an interview with a representative of church leadership. After this, a recommendation is brought to the church leadership monthly meeting for approval.

Contact the church office (email or phone 9524-2709) to enquire further about church partnership or membership, or list your name for a church partnership course, or to seek church membership.