From the Heart of the Pastor

      At least a couple of times a year, sometimes up to once a quarter, our church hosts the “Welcome Home Class.”  This class is one way our constitution provides for our emphasizing meaningful church membership.  During this four session course, visitors and new members cover a range of issues related to life as a Christian and specifically life at Oak Crest.  The first week is called “Why Christian?” this session reviews the basics of salvation and the gospel.  If a visitor is not a believer, they will certainly hear the gospel in this first session.  The second session is called “Why Church?” it covers the basic biblical teachings about the nature of the church and why membership is needed.  This is a needed session in the midst of increasing individualism in our culture.  The third session is “Why Baptist?” this session covers some of the Baptist distinctives that we hold dear.  Finally, the last session is called “Why Oak Crest?” in this session, some of the unique aspects of life and ministry at Oak Crest are explored and questions are often answered.

            Church membership is a gift from our Lord Jesus Christ, not to be taken lightly.  I am so thankful to be a part of Oak Crest.  God continues to bless our church with new and potential members.  It is vital that we communicate the importance of covenant community to these new members of our family.  Mutual accountability in the church is crucial to discipleship and growth in the word of God.  Maybe you have been a member for quite a long time.  You’re invited too.  We can never be reminded too much of the biblical responsibilities and privileges of church membership.

            I recently read the following quote by Mark Dever, “In one sense, church membership begins when Christ saves us and makes us a member of his body.  Yet his work must then be given expression in an actual local church.  In that sense, church membership begins when we commit to a particular body. . .A recovered practice of careful church membership will have many benefits.  It will make the witness of our churches to non-Christians more clear.  It will make it harder for weaker sheep to stray from the fold and still call themselves sheep.  It will help shape and focus the discipleship of more mature Christians.  It will help church leaders know exactly for whom they are responsible.  In all of this, God will be glorified.”

            Our “Welcome Home Class” is such an important part of our church.  I hope you will pray for our next series of sessions set to begin this Sunday, July 5th.  The class will meet in the sanctuary during the Sunday School hour at 9:30AM.  You are welcome to attend one or all of the sessions.  If we all have a clear understanding of our identity in Christ as the family of God, we will be better equipped to take the gospel to our friends and family.

 

In Christ, 

Blain Craig

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