Church Membership
We welcome everyone to Kirkwall Baptist Church, whether you come regularly, as an occasional visitor, or visiting on holiday.
For those who attend KBC as their home church we encourage them to join in formal membership. This reinforces our sense of church community, and affirms our commitment to God in working together as a body of believers, and to serve one another in fellowship together.
The Church is congregational in its form of church government and is in membership with the Baptist Union of Scotland to whose Declaration of Principle the Church subscribes:
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That the Lord Jesus Christ our God and Saviour is the sole and absolute Authority in all matters pertaining to faith and practice, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, and that each Church has liberty, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to interpret and administer His laws.
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That Christian Baptism is the immersion in water into the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, of those who have professed repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for our sins according to the Scriptures; was buried and rose again the third day.
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That it is the duty of every disciple to bear witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to take part in the evangelisation of the world.
Members of Kirkwall Baptist Church are able to vote on major decisions of the church: in appointing the Minister and Deacons, and in decisions relating to the constitution, finance, properties, and membership. Our Constitution states that, “The members of the Church shall be such as profess faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord and have been baptised as believers into the Name of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
When someone applies for membership they will typically have an initial discussion with the Minister, and a subsequent meeting with two Members.
The sort of things which are likely to be discussed at these meetings include the following:
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some information about background, family situation, and personal circumstances.
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some evidence of having made a sincere, personal commitment to Jesus Christ.
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confirmation of baptism as a believer.
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discussion about what it means to become a member of the church.
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discussion about willingness to contribute to the worship, work and witness of the congregation, together with evidence of a desire to grow as a Christian.
A report is made to a Members’ Meeting and a recommendation to welcome the applicant as a member, or otherwise. Members indicate by raising hands whether to accept the recommendation.
As members we commit to:
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attend regularly at public worship, including the celebration of Communion which shall normally be observed by the Church each Sunday.
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contribute systematically to the Church’s finances as the Lord has prospered us.
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use our gifts in the service of Christ and His Church.
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maintain the spirit of Christian love and unity.
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show evidence of our Christian character in all things.
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share in the fulfilment of the Lord’s Commission in Matt 28:19,20.
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Full details relating to the church structure, constitution and 'rules' can be found in our Constitution by clicking this link: Kirkwall Baptist Church Constitution (amended November 2023)
"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 4:10-11)