Church & Membership for Non-denominational

Bottom line would seem to me to be that you need to find out why they hold that tenant. WHY is that a requirement? Not for you to try to change it, but so that you understand why it matters to them. If you don't agree that it matters, or believe the same things they do regarding baptism, then you might revisit why you want to be part of their congregation in the first place.

It would seem only logical that to want to belong to a church, you would want to hold fast to the same beliefs. And if you do not believe the same things, then why would you want to be a member there? I would think you would want to find a church that holds to the same beliefs that you have.
I can certainly understand why your husband is uninterested to being baptized again, given what the Catholic faith says regarding baptism. But the bigger question for me, would be, why as a non-practicing Catholic, that seems to still hold the Catholic faith regarding baptism, would he want to belong to/attend/participate in a church that requires its members to do something he doesn't believe in?

We attended a non-denominational church for several years before becoming "members". It's not like they make you wear a badge that says "this person is not a member" ;) The only difference it made was that we could not "vote" when they elected elders or approve the annual budget. We attended many events/services when we were not members.

It seems like you could become a member without baptism, since Baptists usually submerge in my experience. Personally, I would attend as long as I like without becoming a member; your husband could change his mind about baptism, or maybe he won't. I wouldn't worry too much about this one.

We left a non denomination church that made it a requirement to be a member you had to be baptized. Our current church does not do that and is an open bible church. We recently became members. My opinion is you don't *have* to be a member, but its like getting married, it shows publically that you are fully committed to the church.

I don't see any reason why you can't attend w out going through with all the membership jazz.

I assume memebership is partly monetary. Like they keep track of who the members are that give money and who don't.

And if there are beaurocratic decisions like votingon something you might not be able to participate .

But to come each Sunday, to help w ss or bible school or youth group. It sohouldnt matter.

You have to realize people are flawed no matter where you go. Little gossip will be everywhere get familiar to kindly put a stop to it with scripture. Also I would speak to them more about why they consider other types of baptism not true? Clarify before joining.

As you can see by the answers, there is no one way that churches settle on for their membership requirements. I am Baptist, as you were when you were baptized. As you probably remember, the one requirement for baptism is that you had a personal experience accepting Christ as your savior. You were "born again" spiritually as in John chapter 3. You were accepted for membership and baptized as a picture of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. That is why you get completely submerged, because it is that same picture.

Read Romans 6:4. After that baptism, you are to walk in faith in your life. You have identified yourself with Christ and with that church. You can vote on things and you can serve as Sunday School teacher or other offices as your church calls upon you. You never get a bill, it has nothing to do with money. There are no classes to take.

When you join yourself to another Baptist church, you don't need to be baptized again. They exchange letters and whala, you have changed churches. We have many people who have been to our church for years without becoming members. They participate in just about every form but they can't teach or serve in a leadership capacity. We have on person who was Catholic but attended our church for 15 years before he has decided to follow Christ in Baptism and become a member.

When you change to a different denomination you are changing what you believe to their church's ways. They can require whatever they wish. Give it time before you join. Do you know what you believe about doctrine? Do you know if it's aligned with what you believe? Are your children born again? Are they old enough to make a big decision about their beliefs?
Churches are about more than a place to go. It's about eternity. Think carefully.

Hubby's baptism will not be accepted by most regular religions because they believe that baptizing baby's is not the way Christ taught people to be baptized. Your baptism might be okay though. It was by immersion and in a mainstream church. I'd ask but they might just want you to do the whole thing again.

Updated

Hubby's baptism will not be accepted by most regular religions because they believe that baptizing baby's is not the way Christ taught people to be baptized. Your baptism might be okay though. It was by immersion and in a mainstream church. I'd ask but they might just want you to do the whole thing again.

I go to a non denominational church and about half of our congregation actually are members. Members just have the ability to vote on some church business, and are eligible to serve as deacons, if nominated. It's not a big deal.

Don't become members if you don't want to! Our church doesn't push membership and we don't require baptism to become members.

I have attended many a church without becoming a member, and there have been people who stunned me when they became members of my UU church because they had been there for decades and I had just assumed that they wer already members. No problem of not fitting in.
My church doesn't require baptism or any other kind of cleansing ritual. Quite frankly, if I was made to feel that I "dont' fit in" because I had not signed a membership card and been dunked, then I would seriously reconsider any desire to join. I have to feel like I fit in BEFORE I make my membership official.
I can't speak for other churches, but I would imagine that no two non-denominational Christian churches are identical in their membership requirements.

I have never regularly attended a church that has any kind of membership. I actually find this strange for a nondenominational church.

Baptism, in the biblical definition, IS immersion. The Catholic church...as they kind of like to do...set upon their own tradition. MOST churches will consider Baptism, an immersion. (Since most churches, go by what the Bible says.) I would think many to most non-denominational churches, do not require Baptism....or "membership."

I went to church all through out my life in a non denom. christian church. I was baptized when I was 14 (my own decision), but I was never an official member of the church. I never took any classes or did any certain things. I pretty much knew most of the people at my church (even as an adult) and I never became a member, but I was considered one because everyone knew me. Now since we have been married we have gone to about 4 or 5 different churches. I never became an official member to any of them. That didn't ever keep us from doing church activities, or small groups or anything.
The only problem I am having now is that we moved to VA and I am having a hard time fitting in (live in So Cal before). It's a lot harder to make friends here! People are not as friendly and open and relaxed

It sounds like your husband might be sensing a little legalism instead of relationship. Nowhere in the Bible does it say how we should be baptized, just be baptized. If you are already baptized, I don't see the point. We always join a church so that we can volunteer and be a part of the ministry. They always say that 20% of the people do 80% of the work. We try to change those numbers a bit.

I wasn't a member of my church for many years. I just never transferred to them. If you think your church really wants membership, then you need to have that discussion with your pastor. Some denominations only recognize adult baptism (the thought being that an infant cannot profess their faith for themselves) and if this is one of them, then you will have to be re-baptized. In my church, we recently re-baptized an adult because she was previously baptized as a Mormon, which is not recognized by all other denominations. So sometimes it happens in specific denominations, too. I think the bottom line is how strongly do you want to be a member and if you do, then you will take all the steps to be a member of that church. If you do not feel as strongly, then either you will attend as a non-member or you will find somewhere you fit better.

I would need to know why the required baptism is there is no denomination. That doesn't pan out in my mind.

I think that you should expect cliques and gossip and whatever else you can think of anywhere you find more than three or four human beings. You just have to be sure about who you are and look to the bigger picture. What is their objective as a group? What role do you want them to play in your life? In the life of your family? YOU have to figure that part out.

You should see what they offer and determine what you'd like to participate in. Then, find out what you need to do to participate. If you learn that they require membership, then you can make your decision. I don't think that you need to jump into the water just because it looks appealing. There's nothing wrong with sniffing around to decide if it's something that you want long term. If they won't let you do that, then you have to question their intentions.

We attended our church almost a year before becoming members. I'm not sure if there is a 'norm' for membership. Our church didn't require this. Is this church stating you have to be baptized in front of them so they have proof? Or can you just say you've already been baptized?
As far as fitting in, it is what you make it. Think long and hard about what 'membership' means to you and your family. Good luck.

You just started attending. Why don't you give it some time before deciding whether or not you should be a member? Visit other churches too. Make certain that this one is the perfect fit for your family and beliefs.

I grew up in a non-denominational bible church. As a young adult, I then went on a bit of a spiritual journey, not certain if Christianity was for me. Today, I have found my way back, and was saved last year and baptized on 17 February. We attend a wonderful Pentacostal church. I would have never thought, years ago, that it was the church for me...but it's just perfect!

We attended for a year before becoming members. We also attended other churches prior to deciding to attend Solid Rock (our church). We knew it was the right one when we walked in the door. You'll know too.

Best,

C. Lee

Each church is different. My hubby was baptized as a baby Catholic. I was never baptized but kinda brought up Christian. We found a Lutheran chuch we like and in order to be a member you need to be baptized which this allows you to take Communion rather than just have a blessing each Sunday. The kids and I have now been baptized and our Pastor said you only have to be baptized once even if you are 'changing religious beliefs'. Baptizim is baptizim and we were sprinkled 3 times, not dunked.

Good luck
S.

Churches can have different rules regarding baptism. Non denominational churches are autonomous and can have wildly different doctrine, policy, theology and worship. They are not affiliated with other non denominational churches.

I do not attend a non denominational church, but our church has adherents and members. Some adherents have been attending for years, they just haven't been baptized or confirmed in our church. The only difference between adherents and members in our church is you must be a member to have voting priveleges or serve on the executive council.

What they ultimately expect is your tithe, whether you're a member or not. I was baptized as a teenager, and have been a "member" of the same church ever since. (I never go, thus the quotes.) I worked in a number of churches over the years- never once had my membership transferred. I still got to participate in all the churchly activities. You can always become a member without your husband, if you find being a member to be important enough to you.

I'd suggest talking to the pastor of the church and express your feelings. You never know what they might suggest or may even let you skip the baptism since you've been baptized at another church.

Currently I am going to a church that I am not a member of and have been since last summer. Thankfully, it is written almost everywhere that you can take your time becoming a member. So I'm just taking my time. They have not made me feel any less part of a congregation so for me its been ok. I can understand your concerns as for myself and my whole family we've all been baptized so I'm not sure I would want to be baptized over again. But if I were in your shoes and going to the church I am going to it would definitely be something I would be willing to talk over with the church before deciding to quit this church. As I really like the one I've been attending.