Joining Calvary

As a Baptist church, Calvary is guided by the collective voice of the congregation.  Members of the church vote on major decisions like how we spend the money God provides, who serves as ministers and other leaders and other matters of overall church life.  We welcome anyone to participate in all of our ministries, events, programs and activities without formal membership.  However, some leadership positions and the ability to vote on church matters is limited to members of the congregation.

You can become a member during any worship service of the church by simply presenting yourself to the presiding minister during what we usually call the invitation.  You are welcome to discuss your decision or ask any questions by meeting with the pastor or other ministers on staff prior to the service; but no such meeting is required.  We receive members into the church through several paths (the following is taken directly from our Bylaws):

Profession of Faith and Baptism. Members may be received on profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as personal savior and baptism by immersion in water according to the Holy Bible.  (This path is most common for people who are making a first time commitment to follow Jesus.)

Letter. Members may be received on presentation of, or promise of, a letter of recommendation from another Baptist church. (We will contact your former church for you.)

Statement. Any person who for good reason cannot present or promise a letter, may, upon statement of previous baptism in accordance with his/her prior church affiliation and confirmation of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as personal savior shall be admitted to membership upon approval by the congregation. 



Watchcare. Any person who is a member of another church and desires to enjoy the rights, privileges and obligations of membership in Calvary Baptist church on a limited, temporal basis may ask for membership by watchcare. Because the member's affiliation with another church remains the same, this membership does not carry voting rights. The names of watchcare members will be kept on a separate list and removed from the watchcare list when they leave the local area or otherwise change membership status.