Welcome
We’re glad you have chosen to find out more about ‘Joining our Team’ at Bendigo Baptist Church (BBC). Since we have people from many different church backgrounds within our congregation, we put together this class to explain who we are and what we are on about to maximize our impact together as a team. Our goal for this class is that you will not only commit yourself to Christ but also to the ministry at Bendigo Baptist Church
What is a church?
1. The church is a body or a team and every Christian (i.e. follower of Jesus) is a part of the team.
“Just as each of us has one body with many members and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member be- longs to all the others.” (Romans 12:4-5 NIV)
“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” (Ephesians 4:15-16 NIV)
2. The church is a family.
“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household.” (Ephesians 2:19 NIV)
3. The church’s purpose is to make disciples not converts.
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.’” (Matthew 28:18-19 NIV)
4. The church is God’s idea.
“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18 NIV)
So what unifies us as a team at BBC? It is our salvation, beliefs, philosophy, and ministry structures. Let’s take a closer look at each of these four areas.
The world tells us that life is all about us and our purpose is to make ourselves happy. People often try many different ways to accomplish this: 1. God created us to be in relationship with Him. 1. God gave us a choice. 1. God had to make a way. “When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” (Acts 2:37-38) What is Baptism? 1. To follow the example that is set by Christ. In the Book of Acts, when someone believed the message, repented and confessed Christ, they were immediately baptised. We want to respond with the same sense of urgency as the first century church had regarding baptism following a confession of faith. So when should you be baptised? As soon as you possibly can!
The Bible has a great deal to say about money and our stewardship of it. We believe that we should generously support the church, the body of Christ, as God’s Word commands. Giving 10% of our income was defined as a tithe in the Old Testament and we see this as the biblical starting point of giving to the local church. (Leviticus 27:30; Malachi 3:7-12) But we do not stop there. We believe that our whole lives are a response to God's grace and love for us. And so we consider it our privilege and our challenge to live lives of extravagant generosity. We view our entire lives as an offering to the Lord, and so we live our lives in such a way that we are no longer asking the question, "God, how much are you asking me to give?" but rather, "God, how much are you asking me to keep?" In living this way, we seek to honour God through our time, gifts, and resources for the purposes of His Kingdom. (2 Sam 24:24a; Matthew 23:23; Mark 12:43; Luke 11:42; Acts 4:32-5:11; 2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15). God has designed the local church like a physical body, with Jesus Christ as the head. God gifts each of His children in unique and special ways to serve and build up the body. Therefore, spiritual gifts are not for personal benefit or glory, but to bring glory to God, as well as encouraging and building up the church. (1 Corinthians 14:4) No one individual can have all the gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:17- 30) and we are interdependent on each other as the body of Christ. The Bible gives some stern teaching about the dangers of alcohol (Proverbs 20:1; 23:31-32). While it never prohibits its use, it certainly gives some clear guidelines about its practice reminding Christians who choose to drink that they must be wise about any consumption of alcohol. (1 Corinthians 10:23-33). It is very clear that the Bible condemns drunkenness. (Ephesians 5:18; 1 Timothy 3:3). The Bible teaches that women were involved in a variety of different ministry roles. They were entrusted with the responsibility of declaring to the disciples that Jesus was alive. (Matthew 28:1-8; Mark 16: 1-8; Luke 24:1-10). In the early church, the daughter of Philip prophesised (Acts 21:9) and Priscilla participated with her husband in correcting the inadequate teaching of Apollos (Acts 18:26). Paul, like Jesus, seems to have had women helpers in his entourage. These women (Phoebe, Lydia, Euodia, Syntyche, Priscilla and Junia) functioned in prominent leadership positions designated as ministers (or deacons as seen in Romans 16:1), fellow workers (Romans 16:3), and co-labourers in the gospel (Philippians 4: 2-9). The Bible has a lot to say about gender, marriage, human sexuality, and the way it should be expressed.
We are a congregationally governed church that chooses to delegate the daily management of ministry affairs to an elected body of people within the church (Council, Senior Pastor & Staff Leadership Teams). The key leadership bodies include:
At BBC, our vision, mission, values and strategy are really clear. What is a disciple? For the intent of our overall ministry strategy, we have defined a disciple or a fully devoted follower of Christ in the following way. They are a “follower of Jesus who is being transformed by Him and is committed to His mission”.
he difference between “Attendees” and “Members” can be summed up in one word:
If you know Christ as your personal Saviour, have been baptised by immersion and are willing to abide by our beliefs, then complete and fill in and submit the Membership Application below. Part 1 - What Unifies us as a Team? Our Salvation!
• Some look for happiness by acquiring possessions.
• Some look for happiness by experiencing pleasure.
• Some look for happiness by gaining prestige and power.
• Some look for happiness through the accomplishment of goals.
Real joy and peace comes from understanding our real purpose in life.So what is the real purpose of my life?
“Long ago the LORD said to Israel: ‘I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.’” (Jeremiah 31:3 NLT)
2. God created us for a purpose: His glory.
“...all things were created by him and for him.”
(Colossians 1:16b NIV)
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
3. When man lived in relationship with God in a sinless world everything was good.
“God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.” (Genesis 1:25 NIV)If this was how it was meant to be, then what happened?
“And the LORD God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.’” (Genesis 2:16-17 NIV)
2. Humanity sinned and as a result, all people fell.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23 NIV)
“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6)
3. Sin broke our relationship with God.
“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:2 NIV)
4. God is life. Separation from God is death.
“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned.” (Romans 5:12 NIV)
5. Sin breaks our relationship with others.
“The man said, ‘The woman you put here with me, she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.’” (Genesis 3:12 NIV)
6. Sin caused the curse, even on the world we live in.
“To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat of it,’ ‘Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.’” (Genesis 3:17-19 NIV)
“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” (Romans 8:22 NIV)
7. Separation from God has led to a world filled with pain and despair.
“They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things de- serve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.” (Romans 1:29-32 NIV)
The result was a broken, lonely, sinful world. People know there is a problem. They can feel it and see it. Some try to find peace with God in their own way.How Did God Solve This Problem?
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the un- godly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man some- one might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6-8)
2. God showed His justice and love in ONE person.
“He did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:26)
3. The Solution is a person called Jesus.
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:6)
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
If any other way had worked, Jesus would not have had to come!So how should we respond towards Jesus?
Verse 37: They believed the message and were pierced to the heart.
Verse 38: They were told to repent, which is a natural result of faith.
“Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while—yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done.” (2 Corinthians 7:8-11a)
Verse 38: They confessed Jesus as their Lord. (i.e. a natural result of faith)
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10)
Verse 38: They were commanded to be baptised. (Baptism is an act of obedience, which is a natural result of faith.)
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing 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.’” (Matthew 28:18-20)
The Greek word for baptism is ‘baptizo’. The definition is: To be immersed, to be buried in, to be sunken as a ship, to dip, to be put under. The Bible does speak of a spiritual baptism, which is God’s part. Our part is the physical baptism in water by immersionWhy should I be baptised?
“At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptised by John in the Jordan.” (Mark 1:9)
2. Because Christ and the Apostles commanded it.
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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 al- ways, to the very end of the age.’” (Matthew 28:18-20)
“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” (Acts 2:38)
3. Because it shows that you are a believer.
“...many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptised.” (Acts 18:8)
4. Because obeying Christ’s command, it shows you know Him and that you love Him.
“We know that we have come to know Him if we obey his commands.” (1 John 2:3)
“If you love me, you will obey what I command.” (John 14:15)
5. Because baptism has a great deal of spiritual significance. It is a picture of Christ’s death and resurrection (Romans 6:4) as well as a picture of our new birth. (John 3:3-5)
So who should be baptised?
6. Only those who have believed in Jesus and repented of their sins.
“He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.’” (Mark 16:15-16)When Should I Be Baptised?
“Those who accepted his message were baptised, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” (Acts 2:41)
“They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.’ Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptised. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe God—he and his whole family.” (Acts 16:31-34)
Note: At BBC, we wait until our children are old enough to believe and understand the true meaning of baptism before we baptise them. A baby or a young child cannot understand the concept of sin or their need for Christ. It must be their decision, and their decision must be accompanied by faith and repentance. It’s a membership requirement at BBC that every member be baptised the way Jesus demonstrated (immersion), even though many of us were sprinkled as children.Part 2 - What Unifies Us As A Team? Our Theological Beliefs!
We have made it our mission as a church to be unified in the following key beliefs:
1. The Divine inspiration and supreme authority of the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:19)
2. The existence of one God in three persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who by the act of Creation called all things, both material and spiritual, into existence out of non-existence. (Matthew 3:16-17, Matthew 28:19, Romans 8:9-10)
3. The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ - His incarnation as the Son of God (John 1: 14), His atoning death (1 Peter 3:18), His resurrection from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:20), His exaltation to the right hand of God where He ever lives to make intercession for His people (Acts 2:32-33, Hebrews 7:25) and His coming again to receive His people to Himself. (John 14:3, 1 Thessalonians 4:16- 17)
4. The ministry of the Holy Spirit in the regeneration of men, women and children and their sanctification. (John 3:3-8, Romans 15:15-16)
5. The sinfulness of man - his fallen and lost estate by nature. (Romans 5:12)
6. The necessity, for salvation, of repentance towards God, and of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. (Mark 1:15, Acts 2:38, Acts 20:21)
7. The immortality of the soul, the resurrection of the saints to eternal righteousness, the judgement of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, and His final judgements upon all unbelievers. (John 3:36, 11:26, 1 Thessalonians 4:14, John 5:22 & 27, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9)
8. The two ordinances of the Lord Jesus Christ, namely Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which are of perpetual obligation; Baptism being by immersion of believers upon profession of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and a symbol of the fellowship of the regenerate in His death, burial and resurrection; The Lord’s Supper being a memorial of the sacrifice of the body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, until He comes. (Romans 6:4-5, Mark 1:10, Acts 2:38-41, 1 Corinthians 11:23-29)
As a church we also hold some other beliefs from God’s Word on which other Christians may have differing views of opinions. We give liberty and grace to one another on these matters but as a point of unity and to make sure that we remain undivided, we ask key leaders and volunteers at BBC to align themselves with our stance on the following topics:
Stewardship & Generosity
We encourage everyone at BBC to live obediently as it pertains to their finances, which includes tithing. We believe that the local church wherever you attend is the storehouse and you should give your tithe there. Like any other form of obedience, tithing is a matter of the heart.
Spiritual Gifts
While we believe that spiritual gifts outlined in scripture are available for all followers of Jesus, at times some division has come with reference to the use of tongues. God gives guidelines in His word for its use in public settings. If someone speaks in a tongue it will be one at a time, (1 Corinthians 14:27) there must be an interpreter, (1 Corinthians 14:28), and there must be one who discerns whether it comes from God. (1 John 4:1)
Alcohol
We recognise that the incorrect use of alcohol has caused widespread damage to lives in our community. We also recognise that the incorrect use of alcohol can lead to addictions at various levels, which results in the deterioration of health, behaviour, relationships, and lives in general. As a consequence, we do not support the incorrect use of alcohol. Note: Alcohol cannot be consumed on any occasion while on church property.
Women in Ministry
On the day of Pentecost God poured out His Spirit on ‘all people’ including sons and daughters’ and ‘servants, both men and women’ (Acts 2:14-18). If the gift of the Spirit was given to all believers (both men and women) then so were His gifts. There is no evidence, (apart from the gift of apostleship) that the distribution of these gifts was restricted to men. Therefore, we believe that Christ gave spiritual gifts (including teaching and leadership gifts) to both sexes and expects them to be exercised and used for His service by the church. If we interpret scripture against scripture, it seems quite clear that a women gifted to teach or lead can do so under the proviso of 1 Corinthians 11:3. This is our practice at BBC.
Human Sexuality & Marriage
We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God. (Genesis 1:26-27) Rejections of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person.
When it comes to marriage, we believe the Bible affirms it to be a lifelong union between one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others (Genesis 1:26- 28, 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6); upholding this relationship as the only appropriate place for sexual intimacy. While sex outside of the marriage relationship has become commonplace in our society, God’s Word speaks against such activity declaring it to be immoral. (1 Corinthians 6:9, 7:2; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Ephesians 5:3)
When it comes to matters of homosexuality, we believe the Bible speaks against sexual acts with others of the same sex. (Genesis 19:1-13; Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:24-27; 1 Timothy 1:10) While we as a church have determined our beliefs about these matters, we recognize that churches and other Christians take different views and approaches especially to the issues surrounding same- sex marriage. While we are NOT supportive of same-sex marriage, we also believe that we aren’t called to take an activist position on this matter. In other words, we will NOT be found in the public square campaigning on this matter because we believe we have been called by God to abandon any rhetoric
that might isolate or shame people and replace it with a willingness to build a bridge that introduces everyone towards the most wholesome relationship, which is found in Christ.
We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. (Acts 3:19-21; Romans 10:9-10) And as such, we believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity. (Mark 12:28-31; Mark 6:31) Hateful and harassing behavior will not be tolerated at Bendigo Baptist Church.Part 3 - What Unifies Us As A Team? Our Structure!
1. Members Meeting:
The Members Meeting is the formal leadership authority of the church. Our constitution states that the members “through the church meetings have final authority in every matter which effects the Church’s life.” Members meetings are normally held three times a year and focus upon key ministry issues in the life of the church.
2. Church Council:
The Church Council is the key leadership body of the church and it provides direction to the senior pastor, staff teams and the wider ministries of this church. It consists of 12 people: Senior Pastor, Chairperson, Treasurer, Administrator and eight other members elected from the membership at large.
Members elect councillors of the church for a two-year term with each being eligible for reappointment up to a period of six years. At the end of this, they must stand down for at least one year before being eligible for re-election once again.
3. Senior Staff Team:
The Senior Staff Team at BBC is comprised of the Senior Pastor, Associate Pastors, Community Care Director and the Administrator. The members elect them into these roles.
4. Other Staff:
Church Council will appoint other staff members to the ministry team as is needed. These staff members work collaboratively with and report directly to the Senior Staff to achieve God’s vision and mission for this church.Part 4 - What Unifies Us As A Team? Our Philosophy!
Our Vision:
To be a community of empowered believers reaching our city, state, nation and globe for Christ.
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing 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.’” (Matthew 28:19-20)
Our Mission:
Making biblical disciples in relational environments.
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)
Our Ministry Strategy:
The entirety of Scripture points to relationship both with God and others. As disciples of Jesus, we will guide all believers into spiritual relationships with other Christians where they can grow and develop in the discipleship process. (Matthew 22:37-40)
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)
According to this passage, a disciple of Jesus is:
• One who is following Christ (HEAD response) and has made Jesus Lord of their life. (Luke 9:23; John 8:31)
• One who is being transformed by Christ (HEART response) and is becoming like Christ in attitude and action. (John 15:8; Romans 8:29; Galatians 5:22; John 13:35)
• One who is committed to the mission of Christ (HAND response) in this world. (John 15:8; Matthew 4:19; 2 Corinthians 5:19-20).
Consequently, we are committed to the task of making disciples using the strategy of relational environments.
Why use the strategy of a relational environment?
• We make disciples in relational environments because Jesus did it that way.
“He appointed twelve—designating them apostles—that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach.” (Mark 3:14)
• We need relationship with others because God created us that way.
The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” (Genesis 2:18)
• We need relationship with others to succeed as a Christian.
“See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” (Hebrews 3:12-13)
• We need relationship with others because we can accomplish more together than we can alone.
“Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.” (Romans 12:4-5)Membership: what does it mean at BBC?
Commitment!
We ask people to commit to membership for the following reasons:
1. A Practical Reason:
The church is very much a team effort, and within the team each one is encouraged to use the gifts God has given them – to the building up the body of Christ in love. (Ephesians 4:11-13) Membership demonstrates ones willingness to join and work together as a team.
2. A Legal Reason:
At Bendigo Baptist we are required by law to keep proper records of finance, property, minutes, etc. Therefore, we need an acceptable legal framework by which we can transact business and interact with governing authorities. In our church, based as we are on a congregational form of government, it is the membership who constitutes the legal framework. This cannot be some invisible, mystical body.
3. A Cultural Reason:
We live in an age where very few want to be committed to anything – a job, a marriage or even their community. This attitude has even produced a generation of “church shoppers and hoppers.” Membership swims against the current of our society’s ‘consumer religion.’
We never ask our members to do more than the Bible clearly teaches them to do. These responsibilities and expectations are spelled out below:
1. I will protect the unity and community of my church by:
• Acting in love towards other members.
• Seeking to resolve all issues with other believers according to God’s Word. If I have a problem with a leader or a decision I will contact a leader and share my concerns —I will seek to give grace, be willing to hear their part, and seek to resolve all issues to the Glory of God.
• Refusing to gossip about others.
• Supporting our beliefs.
• Following the leaders of this church as they follow Christ. (Romans 5:5, 19; Ephesians 4:16; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 1:22; Matthew 18:15-17)
2. I will share in the vision and mission of our church by:
• Praying for its growth.
• Inviting the un-churched to connect with our church community.
• Warmly welcoming those who visit.
(Luke 14:23; Romans 15:7; 1 Thessalonians 1:2)
3. I will serve the ministry of my church by:
• Discovering my gifts and talents and using them in ministry to others.
• Participating in a discipleship focused small group.
• Being equipped to serve by my leaders. I will seek to find a need in the church and serve in that location.
• I will seek to care for those in my life group by ministering to them when they are down and in need of help. I will let my small group know when I am in need of help. (Ephesians 4:11-12; Philippians 2:3-4, 7; 1 Peter 4:10)
4. I will support the testimony of my church by:
• Attending services faithfully and making sure that participating in a Life Group is a high priority in my life.
• Seeking to live a godly life as I represent Jesus and the BBC family.
• Giving regularly – I commit to tithe.(Leviticus 27:30; 1 Corinthians 16:2; Philippians 1:27; Hebrews 10:25)
If there comes a time when I decide I no longer wish to be a part of BBC, I will call the church or send a letter letting them know that I no longer wish to be a part of the family.So how do I become a Member of Bendigo Baptist Church?
Following your application, it will be taken to the next church council meeting for approval.
At a convenient time after that you will be welcomed into membership during one of our worship services.
Bendigo Baptist Church is registered as a charity with the