At Texas Avenue Baptist Church, membership is more than simply a statement of where you worship, it is a commitment to the mission and ministries of TABC. Members of Texas Avenue actively serve together as we strive to impact and influence our community, our country, and our world for Jesus Christ.

Membership at Texas Avenue is viewed as active participation, not just an addition to the church roll. Also, membership in a church is a privilege and responsibility, not an entitlement. In fact, there are many misconceptions about church and church membership.

For example:

• Attending a Sunday School class does not make you a member.
• Attending the worship service for a long period of time at Texas Avenue Baptist Church does not make you a member.
• Meeting with the staff does not make you a member.
• Sending your children to Texas Avenue does not make you a member.

These things are important, but they do not result in church membership. Therefore, we believe it is necessary to meet with prospective members in order to explain Biblical church membership. This meeting gives prospective members the opportunity to ask questions about Texas Avenue's beliefs and practices. Meeting with prospective members also gives us the opportunity to explain the Biblical expectations for members of Texas Avenue. Thus, the membership process is as follows:

1. Attend Services of Texas Avenue

   Attending Sunday School classes and church services at TABC is of the utmost importance in order to determine if God is leading you to Texas Avenue. This also gives God the opportunity to lead you through the preaching and teaching of His Word. In addition, attending Sunday School and church services gives us the opportunity to get to know one another.

2. Ask for a Membership Information Packet

   If you would like to discuss membership into Texas Avenue Baptist church, please ask Pastor Doucet or Pastor Harkrider for a membership information packet. The packet includes several pieces of information:

   • A copy of the Church Covenant, Articles of Faith, Constitution and By-laws
   • A more detailed explanation of the Biblical requirements for church membership
   • A list of the ministries of TABC
   • An introduction to the church staff and their responsibilities
   • A membership questionnaire
3. Set up a meeting with Pastor Doucet

   At your request, you can set up a time to meet with Pastor Doucet. The purpose of this meeting is to determine if prospective members meet the Biblical requirements (explained below) for membership into Texas Avenue Baptist Church. In addition, this is your opportunity to ask any questions you have about TABC. During this interview, we will also go over your answers to the membership questionnaire, so please be sure to bring it to the meeting.

   If you meet the requirements for church membership and have a desire to become an active member of TABC, you will be presented to the current members of TABC for membership. If you do not meet the requirements for membership, Pastor Doucet will explain the steps you need to take in order to fulfill the requirements and become a member of Texas Avenue.

4. Be approved by TABC Members

   The authority to receive new members lies with the whole congregation of TABC. Therefore, those who desire membership into Texas Avenue must be approved by a vote of the members of TABC. At the conclusion of the next Sunday morning church service following your interview with Pastor Doucet and assuming you meet the requirements for church membership, Pastor Doucet will recommend you for membership into Texas Avenue Baptist Church. The church will then vote to accept you into membership based upon the Pastor.s recommendation you are worthy to be considered for membership into TABC. After that vote, you will be publicly and officially received and welcomed into membership by the current church members.

1. A Valid Testimony of Salvation

   Christ is the head of the Church. For this reason, it is imperative that only those who acknowledge Him as Savior are part of the membership. During your interview with Pastor Doucet, you will be asked to give your testimony of how and when you repented of your sins and called upon Jesus Christ to save you.

2. Scriptural Baptism (Believer's Baptism)

   Scriptural baptism must meet the following conditions:

   • Must be by immersion only - no sprinkling or pouring;
   • Must be in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;
   • Must follow conversion - no infant baptism or baptism or baptism as part of salvation;
   • Must have proper authority - under church authority, not individual authority;
   • Must be from a church of like faith - no baptisms from other faiths will be accepted.

   If your baptism does not meet these Biblical conditions, you will need to be baptized in order to become a member of Texas Avenue Baptist Church.

3. Approval by Current Membership

   As stated above, the authority to receive new members lies with the whole church body, not the staff or leadership. Therefore, it is necessary for you to be presented to the current church members for approval based upon Pastor Doucet's recommendation. Upon approval by the church, you will be received into membership of TABC.

We look forward to discussing membership into Texas Avenue Baptist Church with you very soon. If you have any questions, please email Pastor Doucet or call the church office at 979.696.6000

JED