Pilgrim Baptist Church

Church Membership

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.

Contents

What This Page Covers

01Understanding Church Membership

02Qualifications for Membership

03Baptism: First Step of Obedience

04The Membership Process

05Understanding Our Doctrinal Statement

06Membership Expectations

07Membership Privileges & Participation

08Affiliated Co-Laborers

09Membership Termination & Transfer

Understanding Church Membership

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

Qualifications for Membership

To become a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church, you must meet the following three requirements:

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.
3

Commit to Faithful Attendance

Demonstrate a commitment to gathering regularly with the church for worship, teaching, and fellowship.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Ephesians 2:8-9 Titus 3:4-7 Romans 4:3-5 Hebrews 10:24-25

Baptism: The First Step of Obedience

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.

Already Baptized by Immersion

You will share this testimony during your membership interview.

Not Yet Baptized

You are still welcome to join as a member. When you were saved, the Holy Spirit baptized you into Christ’s body — that spiritual baptism made you a member of the church. However, water baptism is the first act of obedience Christ commands for every believer. We will lovingly discuss its biblical importance and schedule your baptism whenever you are ready.

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 as a testimony of salvation already possessed through faith alone.

Matthew 28:19-20 Acts 2:41 Acts 8:12, 36-38 Acts 10:47-48 Romans 6:3-5

The Membership Process

1

Interview

Meet with the pastor or church leaders to share your testimony and discuss your understanding of the gospel and baptism.
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.
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.

Your Next Step

Ready to Join?

Contact Pastor Fortunato to schedule a membership 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.

(931) 219-2224 Contact Pastor Fortunato

Understanding Our Doctrinal Statement

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:

—Do not use disagreements as a platform to cause division
—Do not teach against the biblical truths we are committed to upholding
—Do not attempt to draw members away to your own positions, form competing factions, or split the church

Scripture is clear about those who cause divisions. We take church unity seriously and will address divisive behavior biblically and directly when necessary.

We encourage you to:

—Rejoice in the areas where we agree
—Stay, learn, and grow in grace
—Ask honest questions and seek to understand our positions through open conversation with the pastor or church leaders

Romans 16:17-18 Titus 3:10-11 2 Peter 2:1-3 Jude 1:4 Romans 14:1-13 Romans 15:5-7 Ephesians 4:1-6 Philippians 2:1-4

Membership Expectations

As a member of Pilgrim, you are committing to:

—Faithful attendance at worship services
—Active participation in the life of the church
—Financial support through biblical giving
—Submission to pastoral leadership and biblical church discipline — respecting those who teach and shepherd the congregation, being teachable when corrected from Scripture, and cooperating with the church’s pursuit of holiness and unity
—Pursuit of personal holiness and spiritual growth
—Love and service toward other members

Membership is not passive attendance — it’s active partnership in the mission and ministry of the church. Biblical leadership is servant-hearted, and members are never asked to violate their conscience or Scripture.

Acts 2:42-47 Hebrews 13:17 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13

Membership Privileges & Participation

Spiritual Benefits

—Participate fully in worship services and observe the Lord’s Supper with the congregation
—Engage in Christian fellowship and group prayer, both at the church and in members’ homes
—Join in the church’s evangelistic outreaches and ministry opportunities

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:

—Extend hospitality broadly — if hosting a group event, include all who would naturally be part of that group
—Clean up thoroughly after use
—Coordinate scheduling with church leadership

Your Voice and Spiritual Gifts

Every member has spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit for building up the body. Your input matters:

—You may bring concerns or questions to the pastor at any time
—The pastor and deacons may seek your insight on church matters based on your gifts, experience, and wisdom
—When asked for input, prayerfully seek the Lord’s guidance and assist as you are able

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

Affiliated Co-Laborers

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 is a born-again believer, maintains active membership in a like-minded church elsewhere, desires fellowship, accountability, and opportunities to serve while in our area, and seeks a temporary church home without transferring membership.

Privileges of Co-Laborer Status

—Participate in worship services and church fellowship events
—Serve in certain ministry capacities as determined by the pastor
—Receive spiritual care and pastoral counsel
—Build relationships with our church family

What Co-Laborer Status Does NOT Include

—Church membership
—A voice in church decisions
—Eligibility to hold church office (pastor, deacon, elder, trustee)
—Authority in church matters

How to Become an Affiliated Co-Laborer

Contact the pastor to discuss your situation. The pastor will determine whether to grant this status based on your testimony of salvation and current church membership, your doctrinal alignment with Pilgrim Baptist Church, the nature and length of your time in the area, and your desire to serve and grow spiritually while here.

Membership Termination and Transfer

Automatic Termination of Membership

Membership at Pilgrim automatically terminates without notice in the following circumstances:

Reason 01

Prolonged Absence from Worship

If a member has not attended a regular worship service in six consecutive months, their membership is automatically terminated. The pastor may waive this provision if good cause is shown, such as extended illness, military deployment, or other circumstances that genuinely prevent attendance.

Reason 02

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.

Reason 03

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.

Reason 04

Joining Another Church

If a member unites with another church, their membership at Pilgrim automatically terminates.

Reason 05

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. No notification will be sent, as the individual has already chosen to pursue civil court action.

Reason 06

Death

Membership terminates upon death, as the believer enters the presence of the Lord.

Hebrews 10:24-25 Romans 16:17-18 Titus 3:10-11 1 Corinthians 5:11-13 Galatians 5:19-21 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 2 Corinthians 5:8 Philippians 1:23

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.