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How has God led us into change be-

fore? What were those changes? God has blessed the changes Bedford

Baptist Church has made in the past,

even though they may have been some

initial disagreement at the time. We arenot the congregation we were 100 years

ago. 

In 2010, Bedford Baptist does not re-strict attendance or membership by race,

ethnicity, social class or manner of 

dress. Communion is open to all believ-

ers. We encourage women to serve in all

capacities within the church. Men arefree to work in missions and children's

ministries. Young people participate in

worship and ministry. We have strived

to meet the social needs of our local(and global) community as well as its

spiritual needs. Nurseries and midweek 

 programs minister to the young. We in-

vite attendance at services in cars, over the radio, and through the internet. We

share the Good News by means of our 

own radio station. 

The church building is a ministry centre

for both the community and the congre-

gation throughout the week, not only a

  place for services and meetings. Wehave a gymnasium and kitchens as well

as meeting rooms. Our building has

  been modified for those who are in

wheelchairs, hard of hearing, and in-

firmed. 

. 

Wid

Stronger

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Mem

Bedford B

How will a change in membership

policy affect Bedford Baptist

Church? This change will strengthen our fel-

lowship. Our church presently consists

of believers from other Christians tra-ditions. Many are already making a

significant contribution to the life of 

our church. To be fully embraced by

the membership through receivingthem into the fellowship as members

will empower them to fully participate

in the life of our church . 

Will we still have believer's baptism

by immersion in this church? Most definitely -- all believers whohave not been previously baptized will

 be baptized by immersion. Is this change in membership policy

biblical? From their study of Scripture, allChristian denominations have stressed

the need to be committed to the personand teachings of Christ. While denom-

inations may have different interpreta-

tions of the amount of water required

for baptism or the nature of the wineand bread in communion, all share the

 biblical imperative for faith in Jesus.

The Bible states that regeneration is

essential for salvation, but not baptism. 

. 

Do other Baptists churches do this? Baptist churches have wrestled with this

dilemma. Some end up turning away com-

mitted believers because of the differences

in their mode of baptism. Some congrega-tions have abandoned the need for baptism

  by immersion altogether. We feel the

change suggested by our Deacons and

Pastoral Staff will position us to enfold the

Christ follower as well as to continue bap-tism by immersion. We wish to stress hav-

ing a regenerate membership 

Why are we doing this now? As we await the return of our Lord, we

want to be found faithful and doing His

work. This change in our membership pol-icy reflects the need to strengthen the local

church in a time of growing secularism

and to forge ahead in ministry with like-

minded Christians. We cannot deny minis-try opportunities to those who love the

Lord. We cannot afford to delay a measurethat will further strengthen our church. 

We invite you to attend the town hall

meetings on Sunday, October 24th (after 

Worship and our Spaghetti Social) and

Saturday, November 6th at 9:30 am toexplain the significance of this amend-

ment. The meetings will also be an oppor-

tunity to ask questions for further clarifi-

cation. 

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It should be noted that the process for 

membership being outlined below is

one of discovery that allows newcom-

ers to learn about our church and for usto learn about them. It is meant to en-

hance our relationships and our under-

standing of one another. It allows for  better integration into our church fami-

ly. This is a discipleship process thatfollows Christ’s command to “Go

therefore and make disci-

 ples...” (Matthew 28: 19). 

Therefore the deacons and pastors pro-

 pose that: 

The membership of this Church shall consist of persons: 

-who profess faith in Jesus Christ asthe Lord and Saviour of their lives, 

-who give evidence of a new life(regeneration) by following Christ’sexample, 

-who have been baptized with water in obedience to Christ’s command, 

-who have been received into the

membership of this Church by itsmembers.

The Six Step Process for Membership* at Bedford Baptist 

Church: 

A prospective member will: 

1) Have completed an orientation 

2) Have been baptized. 

We believe that the immersion of a believer in

water is the biblical mode of baptism. We rec-

ognize that this practise is fundamental and we

will continue to practice baptize by immersion. AND 

 Bedford Baptist Church will also consider candi-

dates for membership who have experienced an-other mode of water baptism after an orientation

 program, discussion, and prayer. 

3) Have met with the deacons to share

his/her faith experience and his/her de-sire to become a church member. 

4) Have had his/her membership recom-

mended by a meeting of the deacons. 

5) Have had the Church Executive ap- prove the deacons’ recommendation.  

6) Then finally be welcomed into mem-

 bership at a church service. 

*The pastoral staff and deacons shall have dis-

cretion in exceptional or extenuating circum- stances to waive components of this process.  

The proposed membership amendment that is outlined below follows an extensive time

of prayer, study and reflection on behalf of the Board of Deacons and the Pastoral Staff.

It is our desire to have a church that consists

of an informed and intentional membershipmade up of committed Christians. This

change is intended to be reflective of Christ's all-encompassing love and ac-

ceptance.

Therefore, the membership amendment for “Wider Doors: Stronger Foundations” is

meant to include: 

All those who have been bapzed by im-

mersion in a Bapst Church and are seeking

membership by leer of transfer. All those who have been baptized in another form in a church other than Baptist and who

 profess their faith and exhibit Christ in their 

everyday lives. AND 

All those who come to our church with very

little or no previous church experience and

are discovering Christ and wish to be bap-

tized through the ministry of our church.

Questionsabout our

“Wider Doors: S

What is baptism? It is an outward sigOur immersion in w

of our self -centeredwater signifies our

tism does not impa

a genuine Christia

 baptized. 

What do Baptist

Membership? Membership signifsons who place the

Lord and Saviour a

versal Church. Bareceived into the l

have been baptizefaith. Members ar

strate a commitm

teachings in the wlives. 

What is regenerat

Regenerate church

composed of persoChrist as their per

and who are whole

following his teach

What Membership at Bedford Baptist Can Look Like