The Process

The congregation of Christian believers who have applied for Membership and have been duly accepted or who have been baptized into Membership shall constitute a spiritual body. Grace Church holds that receiving Baptism by immersion is not necessary to salvation but rather is an important step of obedience in every believer’s life and walk with Christ. For this reason, we consider this very important step of obedience as a requirement for Church Membership and also receive into Membership all who are baptized here, as described in our Constitution. The Elders will examine closely each candidate for Baptism as to their true conversion. Grace Church Membership is also extended to children who are baptized here; continuation of their Membership into their adult years is contingent upon Elder approval of their signed Baptism and Membership Application on or before their twenty-first (21) birthday.

If you are interested in Baptism or becoming a Member at Grace Church of DuPage, we encourage you to express your interest to one of our Elders or Pastoral Staff, or by contacting the Church Office at 630.393.7344 or by email. From there, you will be contacted by an Elder or someone from the Church Office about attending our 5-week “Starting Point” class on Baptism and Church Membership. 

More Details on Baptism in Article XX of our Constitution →

More Details on Membership in Article VI of our Constitution ➝

 
 
 

Membership Induction at Grace Church of DuPage

The following is the pattern developed in our Constitution by our Elders, that the Membership induction service follows.  Covenantal questions are read aloud, and candidates for Membership respond aloud before God and the congregation with a hearty "I do".  Then, current Members and candidates recite aloud in unison the Church Covenant.  Finally, the pastor closes us in prayer.

Pastoral Exhortation and Excerpt from the Constitution on Membership

The pastor reads an excerpt from the GCD Constitution re: the purpose of Membership and gives words of encouragement to current Members and candidates about the significance of being a Member of a local congregation.  He also reminds everyone about the benefits of Membership such as expanded ministry opportunities, increased commitment and accountability, along with the protection and leadership of qualified Church Elders. Finally, he states our thanks to God for them and their desire to commit to the worship, fellowship, and service within our own local assembly of believers.

Covenantal Questions

The candidates will respond with a hearty “ I do” to each of these questions.

  • Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord?

  • Do you accept the Holy Scriptures, the Old and New Testaments, as the authoritative and infallible Word of God?

  • Do you commit to live among God’s faithful people by hearing His Word, sharing His Supper, and proclaiming, through your words and deeds, the good news of salvation by God’s grace through faith in Christ?

  • Do you also promise to support the ministries of this Church with your prayers, your presence, your participation, and your provision as God would permit?

Church Covenant Recited in Unison by Current Members and Candidates

Having been led by the Spirit of God to receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and having made public confession of our faith through Baptism to show our identification with Christ; we freely and joyfully enter into a Covenant with one another as one body in Christ, seeking the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

We pledge, therefore, by the aid of God’s Spirit, to live together in Christian love by exercising an affectionate care and watchfulness over one another, and faithfully encouraging and admonishing one another in the faith. We will rejoice with each other’s joys and bear one another’s burdens with tenderness and grace.

We pledge to work for the advancement of God’s kingdom through His Church by the spiritual disciplines of the Word, prayer, evangelism, worship, and fellowship. We also promise to sustain its Ordinances and doctrines, and to support its ministry by a faithful stewardship of our money through cheerful and regular giving, and with the devoted use of our time and giftedness; thus to spread the Gospel through all the nations.

We further pledge to follow Christian principles of morality in our daily lives; being ethical in our dealings and faithful in our commitments, and denying ungodliness and worldly lusts in our pursuit of holy living. We will strive for Christlikeness in ourselves and in our families.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all.

Amen.

Closing Prayer

Praise God that He is building His Church, and pray for Grace Church that we would love and care for the new Members, and protect and equip them. Also, pray for the new Members to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus.