Big Island Christian Church
Statement of Faith & Practice and A.N.C.H.O.R. Membership
>>DOWNLOAD AN ELECTRONIC COPY HERE<<
I. The Bible:
We believe that the Bible, consisting of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, is the
God-breathed, Holy Spirit-inspired, inerrant, infallible, and immutable Word of God
supernaturally communicated through human authors. It is the primary and ultimate authority for
all matters of faith, doctrine, and practice, revealing God’s perfect will and His redemptive
purposes in Christ for all humanity. It is wholly sufficient, fully trustworthy, and eternally relevant
for every area, aspect, facet, and dimension of life.
2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:20-21; John 14:26; 1 Cor 2:12-13; Ps 19:7; Prov 30:5; John 10:35; Isa 40:8; Matt 5:18; Heb 1:1-2; Exod 24:4; Jer 30:2; Isa 8:20; Matt 4:4; Matt 22:29; Acts 17:11; 1 Thess 2:13; Luke 24:44-47; John 5:39; 2 Tim 3:15; Eph 1:7-10; Rev 22:6; Ps 119:105; Ps 119:160; 2 Pet 1:3; Matt 24:35; 1 Pet 1:23-25; Heb 4:12.
II. God:
We believe in one eternal God who exists as three co-equal, co-eternal, distinct, yet indivisible
Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three Persons are fully and equally God, perfectly
united in essence, nature, and purpose. The Holy Trinity is the foundation of Christian faith and
worship, revealing God’s relational nature and His work in creation, redemption, and
sanctification.
Deut 6:4; Matt 28:19; 2 Cor 13:14; John 1:1-3; John 10:30; John 14:16-17; John 14:26; John 15:26; Gen 1:1-2; Isa 48:16; Matt
3:16-17; Eph 1:3-14; Col 1:16-17; Heb 9:14.
III. God The Father:
We believe that God the Father is the first Person of the Holy Trinity, possessing supreme
authority and sovereign will over everything. Through His sovereign providence, He works all
things according to His perfect plan and purpose, ordaining all that comes to pass for His glory.
He is the eternal Father to the Son and the source of divine life, wisdom, and blessing for His
people.
Gen 1:1; Ps 103:19; Isa 46:9-10; Dan 4:35; Matt 6:9; Matt 11:25-26; John 3:16; John 5:26; Rom 8:28-30; Eph 1:3-6; Eph 1:11; 1 Cor 8:6; Heb 12:9; James 1:17.
IV. God The Son:
We believe that the eternal Son of God, through His miraculous incarnation, accomplished the
redemption of humanity as Jesus Christ, the unique God-man. He was conceived by the Holy
Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, lived a perfect and sinless life, died a substitutionary and atoning
death, was buried, rose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, intercedes for humanity as
the ultimate High Priest, and will return in glory to judge the living and the dead.
John 1:1-3; John 1:14; Matt 1:18-23; Luke 1:35; Isa 7:14; Heb 4:15; 2 Cor 5:21; 1 Pet 2:22; Isa 53:5-6; Rom 3:25; 1 Cor 15:3-4;
Luke 24:6-7; Acts 1:9-11; Heb 7:25; Heb 9:24; 1 Tim 2:5; Heb 4:14; Rev 19:11-16; Acts 17:31; 2 Tim 4:1.
V. God The Holy Spirit:
We believe that the eternally divine Person of the Holy Spirit is fully God, co-equal with the
Father and the Son, actively applying the work of salvation to the faithful. He convicts the world
of sin, regenerates and indwells the faithful, empowers the saints for godly living and service,
illuminates the Scriptures, equips the Church with the gifts of ministry, and guarantees the
saints’ eternal inheritance.
Gen 1:2; Matt 28:19; John 14:16-17; John 14:26; John 16:7-11; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1-4; Rom 8:9-11; Rom 8:14-16; 1 Cor 2:12-14; 1 Cor 12:4-11; Eph 1:13-14; Eph 3:16; Eph 4:30; Titus 3:5.
VI. Human Nature & Sin:
We believe that God created humanity in the perfect relational image and likeness of our
Creator as sinless and endowed us with dignity, value, and purpose. However, through Adam’s
neglect and rebellion, sin entered the world, bringing death to all humanity. While maintaining
the image of God, albeit marred by sin, all people are from the moment of conception fully
human and therefore of immeasurable value to God. As descendants of Adam universally born
under the curse of sin, we are alienated from God, and in need of redemption provided
exclusively through Jesus Christ.
Gen 1:26-27; Gen 2:7; Gen 2:16-17; Gen 3:1-19; Ps 51:5; Ps 139:13-16; Eccl 7:29; Rom 3:23; Rom 5:12-19; 1 Cor 15:21-22; Eph
2:1-3; Col 1:21; Isa 59:2; John 3:16-18; Acts 4:12; Rom 6:23; 1 Tim 2:5-6.
VII. Redemption:
We believe that redemption is the gracious act of God by which He rescues sinners from sin and
its consequences and reconciles them to Himself according to His sovereign purpose and will.
Our salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to Scripture
alone, to the glory of God alone. Justification is entirely the work of God, received by faith apart
from works, and secured exclusively through the atoning death, resurrection, and ascension of
Jesus Christ. This gift of grace transforms the faithful, granting them eternal life as evidenced by
a life desiring obedience (sanctification) to the Father’s will as set apart for Christ through our
intentional involvement with the advancement of His gospel and mission.
John 3:16; Rom 3:23-25; Rom 5:8-10; Rom 6:23; Rom 8:28-30; Eph 1:7-10; Eph 2:8-10; 2 Cor 5:17-21; Gal 2:16; Titus 3:4-7; Heb
9:12-15; Heb 10:10-14; 1 Pet 1:18-19; Phil 2:12-13; James 2:17-18; Matt 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; 2 Cor 5:20.
VIII. The Church:
We believe that the Church is the Body of Christ, the community of all redeemed saints, called
and set apart to gather in worship and ministry, grow in maturity and unity, and give our lives in
service to God and others by going into the world as witnesses of the gospel as the tangible
expression of our hope and eager expectation of His imminent return. The Church is both
universal and local, existing to glorify God by fulfilling His mission of discipling all nations. We
uphold the necessity not only for sound doctrine and belief but also the proper practice of them.
Together, we regularly celebrate the reality of Christ as our Lord & King through His sacrificial
death for us (Lord’s Supper) and ours for Him (Believer’s Baptism) by devoting ourselves to the
teachings of Jesus affirmed by His Apostles, gathering together in fellowship, the faithful
preaching of God’s Word, evangelism, discipleship, orderly worship, church discipline, biblically
qualified leadership, striving for biblical unity, and a relentless commitment to prayer.
Matt 28:18-20; Acts 2:42-47; Rom 12:4-8; 1 Cor 12:12-27; Eph 1:22-23; Eph 2:10, 19-22; Eph 4:11-16; Col 1:18; 1 Pet 2:9-10; Heb
10:24-25; Matt 26:26-29; Matt 28:19; Acts 8:36-38; 1 Cor 11:23-26; 2 Tim 3:16-17; Titus 1:5-9; Heb 13:17; Gal 6:1; Matt 18:15-17;
John 17:21-23; 1 Thess 5:16-18; Col 4:2.
IX. Marriage & Family:
We believe that marriage and family are divine institutions created by God to reflect His
everlasting relational glory, reveal His purposes, and serve as a foundation for human society.
These relationships are established and ordered by God, governed by His Word, and serve to
illustrate biblical truths about His relationship as Holy Trinity and with His people. While we
affirm the high value and purpose of marriage and family, we reject idolizing them, as our
ultimate identity and allegiance are to God through Christ and His Kingdom.
Gen 1:26-28; Gen 2:18-24; Deut 6:6-7; Ps 127:3-5; Matt 19:4-6; Eph 5:22-33; Col 3:18-21; 1 Cor 11:3; Heb 13:4; Mark 3:31-35;
Luke 14:26; Matt 6:33; Phil 3:20.
X. The Last Things:
We believe that God, in His sovereign plan, will bring all things to their ultimate fulfillment in
accordance with His perfect justice, holiness, and love. The return of Christ will mark the
culmination of human history, the final defeat of sin and death, and the establishment of God’s
eternal kingdom. While the specifics of certain eschatological events (such as the rapture,
tribulation, and millennial kingdom) remain subjects of differing interpretations among faithful
believers, the certainty of Christ’s return, the bodily resurrection of the dead unto eternal
judgment, and the reality of the eternal state are foundational to Christian hope and faith.
Isa 9:6-7; Isa 65:17; Dan 12:2; Matt 24:30-31; Matt 25:31-46; John 5:28-29; Acts 1:11; Rom 8:18-23; 1 Cor 15:22-28; 1 Cor
15:50-58; Phil 3:20-21; 1 Thess 4:13-18; 2 Thess 1:5-10; 2 Pet 3:10-13; Rev 20:11-15; Rev 21:1-8.
XI. The Eternal State:
We believe that God desires none to perish but for all to come to repentance, and He has
displayed His love for humanity through the sacrificial death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus
Christ. Those who reject Christ ultimately choose eternal separation from God, and God, in His
justice gives them over to their desire. Heaven and hell are eternal realities, with heaven as the
eternal dwelling place of God’s redeemed people in His Presence, and hell as the place of
eternal separation from God for those who reject Christ and His exclusive and gracious offer of
salvation as The Way, Truth, and Life.
Ezek 18:23; Ezek 33:11; John 3:16-18; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Rom 2:4; Rom 6:23; Rom 9:22-23; 2 Pet 3:9; Matt 25:31-46; Luke
16:22-26; John 5:28-29; 2 Thess 1:9-10; Rev 20:11-15; Rev 21:1-4; Rev 22:1-5.
Secondary Doctrines:
Secondary doctrines are doctrines that are important to harmony, order, and unity within the
local church but not essential for salvation. They can include matters of church governance,
mode of baptism, eschatological views, and views regarding charismatic gifts. These issues
greatly affect local church unity and practice but should not divide the universal Body of Christ.
1. Examples of Secondary Doctrines:
● Charismatic Gifts: Speaking in tongues, prophecy, healing (1 Corinthians 12-14).
● Church Governance: Elder-led, congregational, or episcopal structures.
● Baptism: Infant baptism vs. believer’s baptism, immersion vs. sprinkling.
● Eschatology: Premillennialism, amillennialism, postmillennialism.
2. Positioning Secondary Doctrines:
● Churches should have clarity on these issues within their context to maintain
unity and avoid confusion. While not salvific, these doctrines shape a church’s
identity and practice.
I. Church Membership & Governance
We affirm that Jesus Christ alone is the Head of the Church. As an autonomous local
congregation, we are governed by the collective authority and responsibility of our members
under the Lordship of Christ as we are led by the Holy Spirit.
● Membership: We believe that local church membership is reserved for born-again saints
who demonstrate a credible profession of faith, commitment to evangelism, discipleship,
and ongoing devotion in practice to harmonious agreement with our church’s Statement
of Faith, vision, mission, and values for its unity, testimony, health, and edification.
● Congregational Governance: We believe in the priesthood of believers. Therefore, we
affirm that the congregation shall faithfully steward all authority under the headship of
Christ in matters of doctrine, discipline, membership, and leadership selection, as guided
by Scripture and the Holy Spirit. For this reason, church membership is considered a
privilege rather than a guarantee, and church discipline is exercised as necessary.
● Accountability: While ultimate authority rests exclusively with Christ, it is our current
membership that delegates servant-leadership responsibilities to biblically qualified
elders/pastors, deacons, and staff who are accountable to the congregation.
Eph 1:22; Col 1:18; Acts 2:41-47; Heb 10:24-25; Matt 18:15-20; Acts 6:3-5; 1 Pet 2:9; Gal 6:1; 1 Tim 3:1-13; Acts 14:23.
II. The Charismatic Gifts
As a church, we approach the charismatic gifts from a conservative cessationist or highly
cautious continuationist position. While individuals may believe they have the gift of tongues,
prophesy, healing, receive direct divine revelation (rather than illumination), etc., we know that
Scripture is wholly sufficient for equipping believers. We believe that it is in our relationship with
Christ that we have already been blessed with every spiritual blessing. Judging the authenticity
of the charismatic gifts is, at best, challenging. Meanwhile, judging the fruit of the Spirit is
obvious and objective. Therefore, we believe there is no “new revelation” or divinely
authoritative and prophetic word(s) to guide the Church where The Holy Bible is readily
available. The majority of modern expressions and practices of charismatic gifts often deviate
from the biblical model, favoring emotionalism over scriptural boundaries and orderly worship.
Since false prophets and teachers readily exploit these subjective experiences and open the
door to doctrinal error and division in the church, we approach them with wisdom, discernment,
and caution.
2 Tim 3:16-17; Heb 1:1-2; Eph 1:3; 1 Cor 12:4-11, 13:8-10, 14:20, 27-33, 40; Matt 7:15-20; 1 John 4:1; Gal 5:22-23; 2 Pet 2:1-3;
Acts 17:11; 2 Cor 11:13-15; Rev 22:18-19.
III. Social Justice and Cultural Trends
True justice is rooted in God’s character and revealed in His Word. Secular ideologies often
redefine justice by focusing on power dynamics and victimization rather than biblical truth. While
we believe that meeting physical and emotional needs is vitally important, Christians are to use
those opportunities to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. The gospel transcends cultural
divisions, uniting all people in Christ, without adopting worldly frameworks like critical race
theory. Truth is objective, rooted in God’s unchanging Word, not subjective feelings, dreams, or
visions. Personal experiences must be evaluated against Scripture, which forever remains the
ultimate authority. Progressive Christianity often denies essential doctrines, such as the deity of
Christ, substitutionary atonement, and the authority of Scripture. Faithful Christians must defend
the faith once delivered and reject attempts to reinterpret Scripture to fit cultural preferences.
Biblical love involves speaking truth with grace. Affirming sin under the guise of "tolerance" is
neither loving nor biblical. True love calls sinners to repentance and reconciliation with God
exclusively through Jesus Christ.
Mic 6:8; Gal 3:28; 2 Cor 10:5; John 17:17; 2 Pet 1:20-21; 1 Thess 5:21; Isa 8:20; Jude 1:3; 2 Tim 4:3-4; Eph 4:15; Isa 5:20; 1 Cor
6:9-11; Luke 24:47.
IV. Christian Engagement in Society and Government
We believe that Christians are called to live as faithful citizens of both heaven and earth,
balancing our primary and ultimate allegiance to Christ with our God-given responsibility to
influence society for His glory and the common good. While our primary citizenship is in heaven
under the Lordship of Christ, we recognize that Scripture calls us to actively engage responsibly
in earthly governance and societal matters, not as Christian Nationalists, but as ambassadors of
Christ with temporary dual citizenship.
Phil 3:20; Col 1:13; Matt 22:21; Rom 13:1-7; 2 Cor 5:20; Jer 29:7; 1 Tim 2:1-2; Titus 3:1; Mic 6:8; John 18:36; Matt 5:13-16.
V. Gender and Leadership Roles
As a church, we uphold what is called a “complementarian” view of biblical manhood and
womanhood. God designed men and women as equal in value but distinct in roles. Scripture
calls men to lead with Christlike sacrificial love and women to submit to God-honoring
leadership, reflecting the relationship between Christ and His Church. God created humanity as
male and female, with biological sex reflecting His divine design. Attempts to redefine gender
undermine biblical anthropology and God’s created order. In the New Testament, several terms
are used to describe the office or role of elder/pastor, and they collectively refer to the same
office, though they emphasize different aspects of the role. Therefore, we believe the New
Testament identifies and reserves the church role of Hēgeomai (ἡγέομαι) – "Leader",
Presbyteros (πρεσβύτερος) – "Elder", Episkopos (ἐπίσκοπος) – "Overseer", Poimēn (ποιμήν) –
"Shepherd" or "Pastor", Didaskalos (διδάσκαλος) – "Teacher", to biblically qualified men. We
also believe the New Testament identifies the church role of Diakonos (διάκονος) – "Servant" or
"Deacon" as being open to both men and women who are biblically qualified.
Gen 1:27; Gen 2:18-24; Matt 19:4-6; Eph 5:22-33; Col 3:18-19; 1 Cor 11:3; 1 Tim 2:12-14, 3:1-2, 5:17; Titus 1:7, 2:3-5; Deut 22:5;
Rom 1:26-27; Ps 139:13-16; Acts 14:23, 20:17-28; 1 Pet 5:1-3;
VI. Emerging Church Movements
Scripture reveals that Satan masquerades as an angel of light and that his followers
masquerade as servants of righteousness. The emerging church is a multi-faceted heretical
movement that goes by various names. It can be identified by shifting the focus to relational or
experiential approaches, neglecting the clear and overt proclamation of the gospel and the
necessity of repentance from sin, and by reducing Christ’s Church to doctrinally ambiguous
ecumenical community centers. The true gospel is something Christians are not ashamed of in
practice because it is the power of God for salvation and must not be manipulated or diluted.
Within emerging churches, Scripture, doctrine, and basic terminology (love, grace, kindness,
etc.) are often sidelined or reinterpreted in favor of subjective interpretations, conversations,
opinions, and cultural relevance. Therefore, faithful New Testament churches uphold the various
biblical marks as such by holding firmly to the authority and sufficiency of God’s Word and the
overt and unashamed proclamation of it.
2 Cor 11:14-15; Gal 1:6-9; Rom 1:16; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Tim 4:2-4; Acts 20:28-31; 1 Cor 2:1-5; 2 Pet 1:20-21; Jude 1:3-4; Isa 40:8;
Matt 7:15-20; Heb 4:12.
VII. Who We Are as a Church
As a local church, we affirm the inerrancy and absolute sufficiency of Scripture, the unchanging
nature of truth, and the exclusivity of salvation through Jesus Christ. We uphold God’s
immeasurable value and love for all people from the moment of conception and consider
abortion a tragic violation of God’s law and love as nothing short of murder and rebellion against
God’s perfect design. Additionally, we submit to God’s biblical design for marriage, family,
gender, and roles within the home and church. While everyone is welcome, we reject the sinful
and utterly cruel notion of affirming sinners in their ongoing rebellion as acts of the flesh. We
reject subjective “truth,” social justice ideologies detached from Scripture, new revelations, new
apostles, false prophets, progressive Christianity, and the deconstruction of the Christian faith.
We oppose all forms of sexual immorality, which include the various manifestations of the
LGBTQ+ movement, the oppressive subjugation or exploitation of people, gender transition and
confusion, and all attempts to redefine God’s revealed purpose, function, and design for
humanity in and through Scripture.
2 Tim 3:16-17; Heb 4:12; Isa 40:8; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Ps 139:13-16; Exod 20:13; Gen 1:26-28; Gen 2:18-24; Matt 19:4-6; Rom
1:26-27; 1 Cor 6:9-11; Gal 5:19-21; Eph 5:22-33; 1 Tim 3:1-13; 1 Tim 2:12-14; Isa 5:20; 2 Pet 2:1-3; Jude 1:3-4; Eph 4:15; Matt
Big Island Christian Church A.N.C.H.O.R. Membership
>>DOWNLOAD AN ELECTRONIC COPY HERE<<
Church membership is revealed in Scripture as a covenant between Christ’s joyfully devoted saints and their local church. It is a commitment to follow Christ by living out the Gospel in community, marked by joy, love, accountability, and service as expressions of worship. This document provides a Scriptural framework for church membership by combining biblical principles, theological convictions, practical applications drawn from Scripture, and insights from trusted biblical scholars and Christian authors.
Biblical Basis for Church Membership:
- Membership: Membership reflects a covenantal relationship rooted in the Gospel, uniting believers as one Body under the headship of Christ Jesus. (Eph. 4:15-16, Rom. 12:4-5)
- Commitment to One Another: Membership involves a joyful commitment to love, serve, and build up fellow believers, demonstrating Christ’s love through shared responsibilities. (John 13:34-35, Gal. 6:2)
- Accountability: Membership fosters mutual encouragement and correction, ensuring members walk faithfully with Christ. (Matt. 18:15-17, Heb. 10:24-25)
Core Commitments of Church Membership:
A. Spiritual Growth:
- Biblical Literacy: Members prioritize studying and obeying God’s Word as the foundation for faith and practice.
- Prayer: Members commit to praying for the church, its leaders, and one another.
- Discipleship: Members actively pursue spiritual growth, mentoring opportunities, and evangelizing the lost.
- Love for One Another: Members show sacrificial love, imitating Christ in humility and service.
B. Unity and Service:
- Unity in the Body: Members work to preserve the unity of Christ’s Body & Bride through biblical truth, forgiveness, reconciliation, and encouragement.
- Servant-Heartedness: Members prioritize the needs of others over their own, embracing humility in their relationships.
- Generosity: Members give generously and sacrificially to support the church’s vision and mission.
C. Covenant Responsibility
- Formal Commitment: Membership is an ongoing public declaration of allegiance to Christ and His Body to foster unity and accountability and fulfill Christ’s mission.
- Shared Responsibility: Members embrace their role in contributing to the church’s health, mission, and witness.
- Submission to Leadership: Members affirm their commitment to follow biblical leadership and actively participate in church life as leaders serve to care for and nurture the flock.
Theological Foundations of Church Membership:
A. The Nature of the Church
- The church is the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:27) and the Bride of Christ (Eph. 5:25-27), existing to glorify God and advance Christ’s kingdom as we eagerly await His return.
- Membership is the tangible expression of believers' functional participation in the church, reflecting their full identity in Christ and covenant with His people.
B. Covenant Commitment
- Church membership is a visible, formal commitment to love and serve Christ by loving and serving others as members of Christ’s Body.
- This covenantal relationship strengthens accountability and reinforces the church’s role as a Gospel witness.
C. Discipline and Accountability
- Church discipline seeks to lovingly correct and restore members who stray in order to protect the church’s purity and testimony. (Matt. 18:15-17)
- Accountability fosters healthy growth by encouraging members to live holy and God-honoring Gospel-centered lives.
Membership A.N.C.H.O.R. Covenant: >>DOWNLOAD AN ELECTRONIC COPY HERE<<
As a member of Big Island Christian Church, I commit to the following:
A: Abiding in Christ - I am joyfully committed to abiding in Christ through this local church as an expression of His Body & Bride by drawing strength, wisdom, and purpose from King Jesus as the eternal WORD incarnate. (Ps 23:1-3; John 1:1; 14:6, 15:4-5; Col 2:6-7; Eph 2:10).
N: Nurturing The Body - I am joyfully committed to nurturing, serving, encouraging, and supporting fellow members in order to build up Christ’s Church in love, unity, and spiritual maturity. (Ps 34:3; Rom 14:19; 1 Cor 14:12; Col 1:3-4; Eph 4:11-16; 1 Thess 5:11).
C: Contributing to Community - I am joyfully committed to Gospel community and biblical fellowship as an integral member of the church and will devote myself to actively participating in praise, adoration, and worship of King Jesus through service and ministry together. (Ps 133:1; Acts 2:42-47; Eph 2:10; Heb 10:24-25).
H: Holding Fast to Biblical Truth - I am joyfully committed to clinging to sound doctrine and biblical truth to stand firm against false teachings and cultural pressures. (Ps 19:7-8; Heb 10:23; Eph 4:13-14; 2 Tim 4:3; Rom 12:2; Jude 1:3).
O: Obeying Christ - I am joyfully committed to living out my faith by walking in obedience to King Jesus’ WORD to demonstrate my thanks, love, humility, adoration, and devotion to Him as my Creator, Sovereign LORD, God, and King. (Ps 119:16; John 14:15-21; 1 John 2:3-6, 5:3).
R: Reaching The World - I am joyfully committed as an ambassador of the Gospel to actively promote and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ through personal evangelism and discipleship as salt & light to my brothers and sisters in the clutches of sin and darkness. (Ps 105:1; Acts 1:8; Matt 5:13-16; 28:19-20; 2 Cor 5:20; Eph 2:10).
Practical Implementation:
Membership Process
- Exploration: Attend a Big Island Christian Church ANCHOR Membership Class to learn about the church’s beliefs, Statement of Faith & Practice, vision, mission, values, and members’ responsibilities.
- Commitment: Sign the membership agreement as a declaration of alignment and commitment.
- Integration: Join a BICC Small Group, get involved with serving on a ministry team, and participate in ongoing church ministry opportunities to joyfully serve and build up the Body of Christ.
Ongoing Responsibilities
- I will participate in an annual membership renewal to reaffirm my commitments.
- I will support church members through prayer, encouragement, and accountability.
- I will actively and regularly engage with Scripture, prayer, and discipleship opportunities.
- I will pursue unity through God’s Word to teach, lead, and sanctify me.
- I will foster biblical love, biblical forgiveness, and biblical reconciliation among members.
- I will avoid selfish ambitions, divisiveness, gossip, and unwholesome speech.
- I will actively use my spiritual gifts to serve the church and its mission.
- I will joyfully contribute my firstfruits of time, talents, and financial resources.
- I will prioritize regular attendance at worship and church gatherings.
- I will respect and support the church’s leaders as they shepherd according to Scripture.
- I will accept correction, instruction, and church discipline in accordance with God’s Word.
- I will strive to love fellow members sacrificially, bearing their burdens and rejoicing in their spiritual growth and maturity.
- I will actively seek opportunities to encourage and edify others in the faith.
- I will willingly and knowingly surrender my church membership along with all its rights and privileges at such a time that I no longer support this church's vision, mission, values, or biblical leadership.
Conclusion:
Church membership is not a mere formality but a joyful covenant that reflects our identity in Christ and deep commitment to Him and His vision and mission for His Church. By embracing these biblical principles, theological foundations, and practical commitments, members of Big Island Christian Church contribute to the joy, health, unity, vitality, and mission of Christ’s Body & Bride. For more information and insights regarding the biblical foundations for Church Membership, we encourage you to visit our website BigIslandChristianChurch.com, and explore the following books:
- What is A Healthy Church Member?, By Thabiti M. Anyabwile
- I Am a Church Member, by Thom S. Rainer,
- Church Membership, by Jonathan Leeman and Michael S. Horton
- Committing to One Another, by Bobby Jamieson
At Big Island Christian Church, we believe that church membership is a covenantal commitment to unity in Christ, discipleship, and mutual edification within the Body of Christ. As such, we require full agreement with our eleven primary doctrines, which form the foundation of our faith and church practice. These doctrines are rooted in the inerrancy and sufficiency of God’s Word and are essential for sound biblical faith and practice.
While full agreement with our secondary doctrines is not required for membership, we recognize that significant differences in these areas can lead to contention, gossip, bitterness, and division. To protect the unity and spiritual health of our church, we strongly encourage those who disagree with our secondary doctrines to prayerfully consider whether membership with Big Island Christian Church is wise and God-ordained at this time.
If an individual finds themselves in theological or practical misalignment with the church’s stated secondary doctrines, we lovingly ask them to seek clarity, study Scripture, and engage in respectful dialogue with church leadership before committing to membership. We believe that unity in doctrine and practice fosters harmony, maturity, and effective ministry, while unresolved differences often result in unnecessary conflict and division.
By pursuing membership at Big Island Christian Church, individuals affirm their full agreement with our eleven primary doctrines and their willingness to joyfully submit to the church’s leadership, teaching, and biblical mission. We pray that all who join us will do so in a spirit of humility, love, and conviction, seeking to glorify Christ and build up His Church in faithfulness to His Word.
