Introduction to Rocky Bayou Baptist Church

Seminar Purpose

• To share RBBC distinctives

• To orient new members/prospective members

• To explain what RBBC membership means

• Confirm your request for membership

RBBC Purpose

• Why are we here?

• The purpose of Rocky Bayou Baptist Church is to glorify God – to know Him and make Him known.

RBBC Mission

• What are we supposed to be doing?

• The mission of RBBC is to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

RBBC Vision

• Be a church whose membership is comprised of maturing disciples of Jesus Christ who are having an influence for Christ in our community and around the world

Our Core Values

• Core Values Defined:

– Central beliefs that drive the ministry (Why do we do what we do?)

• Centrality of Jesus Christ, God the Son

– The focal point of our ministry will always be the honor and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for the sins of all who will believe, was buried, raised from the dead, and now is exalted to the right hand of God the Father. He is the founder and head of the church and his Spirit lives in those who receive Him.

• The Inerrancy of Scripture

– The authority for our ministry comes from the Word of God as we submit ourselves to its teaching, commit ourselves to do what it says, and yield our lives to become what Christ desires for us to be.

• The Undergirding of Prayer

– All that we do must have the thorough undergirding of our individual and corporate prayer support, depending on the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in our ministry.

• A Missions and Evangelism Emphasis

– The conviction that Jesus is the only way of salvation leads us to pursue vigorous means of proclaiming the gospel by sending our members to take the message to all those who need to hear, both locally and to the ends of the earth.

• An Environment of Grace and Forgiveness

– Convinced of the absolute sovereignty of a Holy God, we understand that nothing good happens in our ministry apart from His grace, His unmerited favor toward us. Consequently, our ministry together must be characterized by that same grace in our response to one another.

• The Accountability of Small Groups

– Integrity in the lives and ministries of our members requires that we provide a context for accountability relationships as we give high priority to the development of small groups where that can take place.

• The Importance of Family

– Recognizing that one of the greatest battlefields and proving grounds of our faith in Christ is right within the home, we are committed to strengthening the spiritual lives of families as they seek to become beacons of light for Christ within our community.

• The Significance of Humble Servanthood

– Our ministry is built upon the assumption that there is no task, no responsibility, beneath any of our members so that we undertake every ministry with a humble heart, grateful for the privilege of serving Christ and His body.

• Every Believer Involved in Ministry

– Each believer has been gifted by God to serve Him. The church pastors are to equip the church to do the work of ministry, for which every member has been commissioned by Christ.

• An Emphasis on Faithfulness

– We are called to be faithful in our service to God, allowing the Lord to determine the level of fruitfulness we are to enjoy.

• A Willingness to Change and Innovate

– We are convinced to follow Christ, therefore, we must be committed to change and willing to innovate so that we do not place any barriers to growth in our way to becoming the body of believers Christ wants us to be.

Our Strategy

• How we will fulfill our mission?

• RBBC will provide an environment where people will come to know Christ, show Christ, and grow in Christ through evangelism, teaching, worship, ministry, stewardship, and fellowship.

• 3 Primary Environments

– Celebration

– Congregation

– Cell

Celebration

• Sunday Worship Service

– Foyer

– Guest

Congregation

• Adult Bible Fellowships

– Living Room

– Friend

Cell

• Life Groups

– Kitchen

– Family

Constitution and By-Laws

• Statement of Faith

• Church Membership

• Church Government

• Elders

• Deacons

Statement of Faith

• Subscribe to Baptist Faith and Message

• One Exception: Elder led versus congregation led

• Doctrine is covered more in-depth through our Foundations of the Faith Course

Church Membership

• Defines who belongs to our local fellowship

• Knowing who is entitled to the privileges and responsibilities of our local fellowship

• Providing adequate watch care and shepherding for every individual belonging to us

• Exercising authority in discipline and restoration of the wayward among us

Membership Qualifications

• Profess Faith in Jesus Christ

• Believer’s Baptism by Immersion

• Committed to Obey God’s Word

• Accepts Statement of Faith and Practice Held by this Church

Membership Confirmation

• Attend a prospective member seminar

– Introduction to RBBC Seminar

• Baptism by Immersion

• Sign a Statement of Faith and Commitment

New Member Orientation

• New members are to complete a series of lessons to learn or review the foundational teachings of the Christian faith and a seminar to assimilate new members into the life and work of the church. Completion of the new member process is a prerequisite for serving in a teaching or ministry leadership position.

Statement of Faith and Commitment

• By the grace of God and through repentance from sin and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, I have become a child of God. I am therefore committed to obeying Him. In obedience to Jesus Christ and by becoming a member of RBBC, I commit to this church body to receive watch care, to serve in her ministry, and to complete the new member orientation process.

Church Government

• Spiritual rule and care of Elders

• Function under the lordship of Jesus Christ

• Humble leaders sensitive to God and the needs of the church

Elders

• Qualifications

– I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9

– Able to teach God’s Word

– Called by God to serve

– Examples to other believers

– Faithful givers

– Supportive of the church, always working to build unity and love

Elders

• Number – As many as qualified and needed

• Selection

– Elders select and question prospective elders

– Presented to the church for consideration

• Leading Elder

– Selected by other elders to serve as Chairman

– Moderates Church Conferences

– Spokesman for Elders

– All Elders are equal in authority

• Term – as long as qualified, capable, and desiring to fulfill the office

• Removal – when physically incapacitated, spiritually unqualified, or his inability to serve is established by the elders

• Meetings

– Regularly and as needed

– Anyone can arrange to meet with elders

• Decision-Making Process

– Unanimous vote after prayerful consideration

– May request input from congregation

• New ministerial staff

• Change in church direction

• New buildings

• Annual Budget

• Non-budgeted expenditures which require substantial funds

• New ministries requiring participation of the fellowship

• Decision-Making Process

– Congregation Response Choices

• I have prayed through this decision and I do believe it is God’s will for us at this time.

• I have prayed through this decision, but do not have any direction. I will, however, joyfully submit to the direction God has given others.

• I have not prayed through this decision. I will, however, joyfully submit to the direction God has given others.

• I have prayed through this decision and I do not believe it is God’s will for us at this time.

• Decision-Making Process

– Where there is not a unified decision, elders meet with those not in agreement to hear reasons, thoughts, and appeals.

– Every member’s input is important. (e.g. Joshua and Caleb)

– Everyone works to maintain love.

• Responsibilities

– Shepherd the church

• Teaching, leading, protecting

– Oversee church affairs

– Maintaining Doctrinal Purity

– Decisions regarding offering distributions

– Set example and willing to serve

– Pray for the sick

– Appoint other elders

– Prayer and ministry of the Word

• Church Discipline

– The Elders will make a faithful effort to bring any member to repentance and restitution who becomes an offense to this church and the Body of Christ by unscriptural conduct. (Matthew 18:15-17; Galatians 6:1)

• Church Discipline

– The Elders may terminate the membership of anyone who does not repent. When this occurs, it will be shared with the congregation.

– A person shall be restored to fellowship upon satisfactory evidence of repentance presented to the elders.

• Qualifications

– I Timothy 3:8-13 and Acts 6:1-4

– Examples to other believers

– Faithful givers

– Supportive of the church and elders, always working to build unity and love

Deacons

• Number – As many as qualified and needed

• Selection

– Elders select and question men who are functioning as servants already

– Presented to the church for consideration

• Term – as long as qualified, capable, and desiring to fulfill the office

• Removal – when spiritually unqualified, or his inability to serve is established by the elders

• Meetings

– Regularly (currently monthly) and special meetings as needed

– Anyone can arrange to meet with deacons

• Decision-Making Process

– Unanimous vote after prayerful consideration

• Responsibilities

– Assist the Elders in fulfilling the church mission

– Set the example in areas of stewardship and attendance

– Oversee ministries

– Assist/oversee Lord’s Supper and Baptism

– Assist with budget and finances

– Assist with new facilities development and maintaining current facilities

Membership Expectations

Christian Lifestyle

• 1 John 2:6 “ . . . the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.”

• You are endeavoring to live your life in a way that honors Jesus Christ.

– Godly relationships with family and friends

– Good witness with neighbors and co-workers

Christian Lifestyle

• Involved in the life of the church

– Regular worship attendance

– Adult Bible Fellowship / Sunday School and Life Group

• Good Steward of Resources

– Using Your Spiritual Gifts and Talents in Serving the Body

– Supporting the Work of the Church Financially

Complete New Member Orientation Process

• Member to Minister Seminar

– Learn about how God has prepared you to fulfill your role in the body of Christ

– Discover opportunities to serve through RBBC

– Helps church leadership know you better

• Foundations of the Faith Course

– Overview of our Church Doctrine

RBBC Vision

• Members involved in Bible study through Adult Bible Fellowship/Sunday School

• Members experience community in Life Groups

• Members experience a healthy devotional life including personal Bible reading and prayer

• Members involved in short-term mission projects

• Members involved in intercessory prayer ministry

RBBC Vision

• Every member serving in ministry

• Training and sending out God-called missionaries and other ministers

• Lifestyle evangelism

• Multiplying by starting new churches

• Expanding our facilities to maximize the use of our land space to reach the growing number of people closest to RBBC