Expert: Bruce Gourley - 2/19/2009

Question
I have been attending a American Baptist Church for a few months now and have equested to be a member. The Pastor says I will go through a small interview and a letter will be sent to the church I did attend (a United Methodist). I would like to know this interviewing process; the questions asked ect.

Answer
There is no one standard way of becoming a member of a Baptist church. Each local church decides how that church will handle membership issues. So, there is no way to know what the pastor (or committee) of the particular church in question might specifically ask in terms of a membership "interview." In general, the questions might well have to do with your salvation experience (your testimony, or "witness" of your faith) and how your faith impacts your life. Again, in general, the primary concern (from the church) might be that you are indeed a Christian, in the way that that church understands what being a Christian is.

Bruce Gourley
BaptistLife.Com
CenterForBaptistStudies.org