Membership at Pilgrim is not about joining an organization - it's about formally identifying with a local body of believers as you grow in Christ.
The church is a spiritual organism, not a human institution. The only way to become part of the universal church is through the spiritual new birth - when someone acknowledges their sin, repents, and trusts in Jesus Christ as Savior. At that moment, the Holy Spirit places them into Christ's body, which is His church.
Scripture teaches that all born-again believers are members of the body of Christ. These believers are then called to gather together faithfully in local churches for worship, fellowship, discipleship, and service.
(1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Ephesians 4:1-16)
To become a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church, you must:
1. Be Born Again
Give a clear testimony of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. You must affirm that you are trusting in Jesus Christ - not good works, water baptism, church membership, or any other human effort - for the forgiveness of your sins and eternal life.
2. Be Interviewed by Church Leadership
Meet with the pastor and/or church leaders to confirm your understanding of the gospel and key biblical terms: grace, faith, repentance, belief, and salvation. This interview protects both you and the church by ensuring clarity about what it means to be saved.
(1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7; Romans 4:3-5)
3. Commit to Faithful Attendance
Demonstrate a commitment to gathering regularly with the church for worship, teaching, and fellowship.
(Hebrews 10:24-25)
If you are already saved, you are already a member of Christ's body - the universal church. Water baptism does not make you a Christian or add you to the church; salvation alone does that.
However, baptism by immersion is the first act of obedience for every believer. It is a public testimony of the salvation you already possess and your identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection.
During your membership interview, you will be asked about baptism:
Important clarification: We cannot recognize baptisms performed under false teaching - such as baptisms that teach water saves the soul, or infant baptisms performed before personal faith in Christ. If your previous baptism was connected to such teaching, we will ask you to be baptized again, this time as a testimony of a salvation you already possess through faith alone.
(Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41; 8:12, 36-38; 10:47-48; Romans 6:3-5)
Step 1: Interview
Meet with the pastor or church leaders to share your testimony and discuss your understanding of the gospel and baptism.
Step 2: Optional Public Testimony
Men who desire to do so may share their testimony publicly from the pulpit. Women may share their testimony in a setting with other women, in keeping with Scripture's instruction that women not teach in a mixed assembly of men and women (1 Timothy 2:12).
Step 3: Membership Approval
Upon the pastor's recommendation, you will be added to the church membership roll, which includes contact information to help us care for and minister to our members.
If you're interested in becoming a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church, the next step is simple: contact Pastor Fortunato to schedule a membership interview.
During this interview, you'll share your testimony of salvation, discuss baptism, and ask any questions you have about membership. This is a relaxed, pastoral conversation - not an interrogation. We want to know you, hear your story, and help you understand what it means to be part of Pilgrim.
Contact Pastor Fortunato: 931-219-2224
We look forward to welcoming you into our church family.
Before joining, you are expected to read and familiarize yourself with our Statement of Faith and other doctrinal positions, available on our website.
What if I don't agree with everything?
We recognize that believers grow in understanding over time. You may not fully understand or agree with every doctrinal position we hold - and that's okay. We welcome you to join us as a member under these conditions:
We ask that you:
Scripture is clear about those who cause divisions. God warns against those who introduce false teaching or secretly work to pull believers away from sound doctrine. We take church unity seriously and will address divisive behavior biblically and directly when necessary.
(Romans 16:17-18; Titus 3:10-11; 2 Peter 2:1-3; Jude 1:4)
We encourage you to:
We believe biblical unity doesn't require perfect doctrinal agreement on every secondary issue, but it does require humility, teachability, and a commitment not to sow discord.
(Romans 14:1-13; 15:5-7; Ephesians 4:1-6; Philippians 2:1-4)
As a member of Pilgrim, you are committing to:
Membership is not passive attendance - it's active partnership in the mission and ministry of the church.
(Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)
Spiritual Benefits
As a member, you are welcomed and encouraged to:
Use of Church Facilities
Members may use church facilities for dinners, celebrations, fellowships, and other gatherings with approval from church leadership. When using church property, members should:
Your Voice and Spiritual Gifts
Every member has spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit for building up the body. Your input matters:
Prayer Support
Each member is expected to faithfully pray for the church family, its ministries, and its leaders.
(Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:25; Hebrews 13:18)
For Believers Temporarily in the Area
We recognize that some believers may be in our area temporarily - such as college students, military personnel, or those on short-term work assignments - while maintaining membership in their home church. For these individuals, we offer affiliated co-laborer status.
What Is an Affiliated Co-Laborer?
An affiliated co-laborer is someone who:
Privileges of Co-Laborer Status:
Affiliated co-laborers may:
What Co-Laborer Status Does NOT Include:
Affiliated co-laborer status does not grant:
How to Become an Affiliated Co-Laborer:
If you desire affiliated co-laborer status, please contact the pastor to discuss your situation. The pastor will determine whether to grant this status based on:
We welcome believers who are temporarily in our community and want to be actively involved in the life of the church during their time here.
Automatic Termination of Membership
Membership at Pilgrim automatically terminates without notice in the following circumstances:
1. Prolonged Absence from Worship
If a member has not attended a regular worship service in six consecutive months, their membership is automatically terminated. Biblical church membership requires faithful gathering with the local body - it is impossible to be a functioning member of a church you do not attend.
The pastor may waive this provision if good cause is shown, such as extended illness, military deployment, or other circumstances that genuinely prevent attendance.
(Hebrews 10:24-25)
2. Divisive or Destructive Behavior
If a member is sowing discord among the brethren or engaging in railing (scoffing, insulting, or hateful speech toward others in the body), their membership is terminated.
(Romans 16:17-18; Titus 3:10-11)
3. Serious, Unrepentant Sin
If a member is involved in ongoing sexual immorality, idolatry, drunkenness, extortion, or other serious sins outlined in Scripture without evidence of repentance, their membership is terminated.
(1 Corinthians 5:11-13; Galatians 5:19-21)
4. Joining Another Church
If a member unites with another church, their membership at Pilgrim automatically terminates.
5. Filing a Lawsuit Against the Church or Another Believer
If a member files a civil lawsuit in violation of the biblical principle found in 1 Corinthians 6:1-8, their membership is terminated.
6. Death
Membership terminates upon death, as the believer enters the presence of the Lord.
(2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23)
Notification of Termination
For memberships terminated under provisions 1-3 and 6 above, the church may (but is not required to) send a letter informing the individual of the termination.
For memberships terminated under provision 5 (lawsuit), no notification will be sent, as the individual has already chosen to pursue civil court action against the church or a fellow believer.
Transfer of Membership
Members in good standing who are not under church discipline may request a letter of transfer to another church. The pastor will provide such a letter upon request, affirming the individual's membership, baptism, and standing at Pilgrim Baptist Church.
Resignation of Membership
A member may resign their membership at any time. However, no letter of transfer or statement of good standing will be issued upon resignation, except at the discretion of the pastor.
Note: Resignation is different from requesting a transfer. Those who resign without cause or to avoid church discipline forfeit the privilege of receiving a commendation letter.
Our desire is that every member at Pilgrim would grow in grace, remain faithful in attendance and service, and finish well in their walk with Christ. Membership termination is never our goal - restoration, growth, and lifelong faithfulness are. We pray that every person who joins Pilgrim will be a devoted, joyful member until the Lord calls them home or moves them to serve elsewhere.
For more information about:
Serious Teaching. Strong Families. Biblical Authority.
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170 4th Ave. Cookeville, TN 38506
