Membership and Baptism

First, we would like to make it clear that we welcome everyone to our church.  You don't have to be a member, and you don't have to be baptized.  You can be a skeptic, a seeker, simply curious, or someone who believes differently on some issues yet enjoys the worship and people here best.  You are welcome!

We believe there is an "Invisible Church" and a "Visible Church".  Only God knows all the members of the Invisible Church.  The Visible Church is easier for us as people to see.  These are the people who are identifying with a local church through baptism and membership.  We believe the Bible clearly teaches baptism and also being identified with a local group of believers whenever that is possible. 

One other comment that should be made:  Everyone in the Invisible Church will eventually go to be with the Lord eternally, but not everyone in the Visible Church will--sometimes non-Christians join the Visible Church even though they have no relationship with Jesus Christ.  Although this may seem rather confusing, as we watch people and their lives, it becomes easier to understand and make sense of what sometimes happens.  It is also a reason for humble acknowledgement that we each rely totally on the grace of God.  

Membership:

To become a member of Gospel of Grace we ask that you attend a class which can be scheduled either as a one-time session (about 4 hours) or as a series of 4 sessions about one hour each.  This class will acquaint you with our vision and values, and will try to answer any questions you have about the church.  Anyone interested in becoming a member should speak with an elder or contact our pastor by email: Pastor@GospelofGraceChurch.com or by phone: (417) 887-8944.

Before the session approves your membership, they will interview you.  The interview is not intended to intimidate, but rather is an opportunity for the elder or elders to acquaint themselves with you personally and to ascertain your agreement with the following membership requirements:

1. Do you believe the Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments, to be the Word of God, and its doctrine of salvation to be the perfect and only true doctrine of salvation?
2. Do you confess that because of your sinfulness you abhor and humble yourself before God, and that you trust for salvation not in yourself but in Jesus Christ alone?
3. Do you acknowledge Jesus Christ as your sovereign Lord and do you promise, in reliance on the grace of God, to serve him with all that is in you, to forsake the world, to mortify your old nature, and to lead a godly life?
4. Do you agree to submit in the Lord to the government of this church and, in case you should be found delinquent in doctrine of life, to heed its discipline?

If the session is satisfied with your commitment to the Bible, your belief in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, and your desire to come under the shepherding care of the leadership, they will approve your membership and contact you to schedule a Sunday when you will be publicly welcomed as a member of the church.   

If you are transferring your membership to Gospel of Grace from another church, please ask your former church to send a letter of transfer to:

Gospel of Grace Church

P.O. Box 4746

Springfield, MO 65808

The letter should say two things:

1. You are a member in good standing
2. They are releasing you into the spiritual care of Gospel of Grace Church

Before you are publicly welcomed as a member, the session will inquire about your agreement with the four, above-mentioned membership requirements.  Upon approval, the session will contact you to schedule a Sunday when you will be publicly welcomed as a member of the church.

Baptism:

Adult Baptism

All adults whose membership is approved by the session and who have never before been baptized will be baptized on the same Sunday that they make their public profession of faith.  Any adults who have previously been baptized with water, into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in a service where the gospel was proclaimed, need not be baptized again.  For, there is "one Lord, one faith, one baptism" (Eph. 4:5). 

Infant/Young Children Baptism

If the parents desire, Gospel of Grace Church will baptize your infant(s) and/or young children (if they have not been baptized already) in the same worship service that the parent(s) are welcomed into the church. 

We encourage Christian parents to baptize their infants because God has covenanted with both believers and their children since the time of Abraham (Gen. 17).  Jesus Christ Himself said that the kingdom of heaven belongs to infants and children, and He touched them and blessed them (Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-16); in his sermon on Pentecost, Peter said "Repent and be baptized every one of you...for the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself" (Acts 2:38-39); and Paul wrote that the children of believers are holy (1 Cor. 7:14). 

However, though we encourage Christian parents who become members to baptize their infants, they are not required to do so and are welcomed into full membership privileges regardless.

Older Children

Gospel of Grace Church will baptize older children after they have made a public profession of faith.