Shepherding Ministries
Becoming a Member
We are grateful you are considering making Providence your church home. Below is the four-step process to becoming a church member (although only the fourth step has to be in its listed order). If you have any questions or would like to discuss church membership further, we would love to talk with you. Contact Bob Stancil, Larry Gilson or Becky Estes.
1. If you are interested in becoming a member of Providence, you may begin this process by going forward at the concluding invitation of a worship service and expressing your desire to join the church. At that point, a pastor or deacon will greet you and a deacon will guide you through the membership process. He will ask you to share with him how you became a Christian. If you are uncertain about this, he will gladly share with you how you may know Jesus personally. A deacon will also initiate any paperwork that is necessary for our records and provide you with a church information packet.
2. If you have not been previously baptized as a believer by immersion in a Christian church, we ask you to do so.
If you have questions regarding believer's baptism, please click here to learn more about what Providence believes about baptism by immersion.
3. We also ask you to attend a new member course titled "Taking Root at Providence." This course, offered both as a LIFE Bible study class and as a weekend seminar, will help you understand the Providence ministry (its beliefs, core values, principles and expectations), as well as help you understand your giftedness for ministry. The LIFE Bible study class is offered three times a year - in September, January and April. The seminar is offered twice a year - in January and July. Please note that this class is not required of children or youth as these ministries provide their own orientation.
4. The final step to becoming a member of Providence is to be introduced by your deacon to the congregation at a Sunday evening worship service. A new member reception will follow so your new church family can celebrate with and get to know you.