ARTICLE IV:  MEMBERSHIP

Section 1:   Becoming a Member. 

Membership in Sunrise Bible Fellowship shall be open to anyone who professes personal faith in Christ for his eternal salvation, who has signified this by immersion after conversion and who shows evidence of having new life in Christ.  He must also be in agreement with the doctrinal position of the church as described in Article III. 

Section 2:   Application for Membership. 

All requests for membership shall be referred to an Elder.  Upon making such a request the person shall be given an application for membership along with a copy of the Statement of Faith and Church Covenant which are contained in the Articles of Incorporation.  An Elder shall meet with the applicant following receipt of the completed application to explain the membership procedure and answer questions.  Each applicant shall meet with an Elder to be examined in the areas of salvation, immersion and godly life-style.  The examining Elder will then meet with the Board of Elders to discuss the person's eligibility for membership.  Following the unanimous recommendation of the Elders a person shall be considered to be under the shepherding care of the Elders, and if possible, be presented at a worship service where they shall be publicly acknowledged as members. 

Section 3:   Duties of the Members. 

It shall be the duty of all members of this church: 

A.  To maintain a life-style which is consistent with the Church Covenant

B.   To make participation in the services of the church a high priority.

C.  To participate in the work of the church through financial support, prayer and evangelism.

D.  To honor, esteem and pray for their elders and to submit to them in recognition of their biblical responsibilities as undershepherds.

E.   To seek opportunities for faithful active participation in the ministry of the church, manifesting at all times a spirit of true Christian humility. 

Section 4:   Termination of Membership. 

Members who unite with other churches shall inform Sunrise Bible Fellowship so that their names may be dropped from the membership roll.  When the church is not informed of this, the member will automatically be dropped after he has been absent from the services of the church for four months or after it has been determined that they have moved out of the influence of the church.  The elders shall make reasonable efforts to contact any members of the church who have been absent for such a length of time, so that the reasons may be ascertained and restoration may be effected.  Infrequent attendance at services for reasons other than illness, vacations, school, military obligation, etc., shall also prompt an informal inquiry by the elders as to the sincerity of the member's commitment to the health and welfare of the church.  Where such infrequent attendance is determined to be the result of spiritual neglect and indifference, loving restoration will be attempted by the elders.  Where such an attempt is unsuccessful, termination of membership may be effected by the unanimous agreement of the elders, and announced to the congregation. 

Section 5:   Discipline of Members. 

The primary purpose of discipline at Sunrise Bible Fellowship shall be for restoration.  Members of this church who shall err in doctrine or conduct shall be subject to discipline according to Matthew 18:15-18.  Before such discipline, however, it shall be the duty of any member of this church who has knowledge of the erring member's heresy or misconduct to warn and to correct such erring member in private.  If said erring member does not heed this warning, then the warning member shall again go to the erring member accompanied by one or two witnesses to warn and correct such erring member.  If said erring member still refuses to heed this warning, it shall be brought to the attention of the elders who, after establishing the facts, shall tell it to the church.

      If said erring member refuses to heed the warning and correction of the elders and the church, he or she shall be publicly dismissed from the church.  There shall be no appeal to any court from that decision. 

Section 6:   Church Covenant. 

Having been led by God to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord and — Desiring to unite in the worship, fellowship and testimony of Sunrise Bible Fellowship and to place myself under its spiritual protection and direction, and — Having read the Statement of Faith and being in full agreement with it, I,________________________, do hereby express my desire to enter into the Church Covenant with the other believers at Sunrise Bible Fellowship. 

This Church Covenant shall be read at each semi-annual family meeting and verbally ratified by all those members in attendance at that meeting.