At the conclusion of each worship service, the pastor extends an invitation to those seeking a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and/or to those seeking membership in the First Family. Those who desire to respond are asked to do so in one of the following ways:

1. Option 1: During the invitation time, you may walk to the front of the worship center where an associate pastor will be waiting to assist you.
2. Option 2: A new members class will be offered four times a year (a 4 week class) on Sunday Mornings during Connect Group (9:45am). During that class, you will be offered an opportunity to join the church.

Membership is open to anyone who has made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. FBCA receives people into membership in one of four ways depending upon one’s religious background:

• If you are a new Christian, you may join by profession of faith in Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior and as a candidate for baptism.
• If your previous church involvement has been in a non-Baptist church (Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, etc.) you may join as a Christian from another denomination and as a candidate for baptism.
• If you are currently a member of another Baptist church, you may join by transfer of letter or membership.
• If you are a former Baptist or were baptized by immersion, you may join by statement of your faith and obedience in baptism.

At First Baptist Alpharetta, we recognize the need for formal membership. We believe formal membership in a local church is important for four reasons.

• The first is a Biblical reason—Christ is committed to the church. Ephesians 5:25 states, “Christ loved the church, and gave His life for her.” Membership in a local church is an important step in demonstrating our commitment to Christ.
• The second reason is a cultural reason. We live in an age where very few want to be committed to anything: a job, a marriage, or family. This attitude has produced a generation of church hoppers and shoppers. Membership swims against the current of America’s consumer mentality and is an antidote to society. Membership sets us apart from the culture allowing us to preserve our distinctive Christian beliefs and values.
• The third reason why we emphasize formal membership is a practical reason. Membership identifies our community and family. It defines who can be entrusted with positions of leadership within the church. Lastly, we each have a personal reason why membership is important. Membership produces spiritual growth. The New Testament places a major emphasis on the need for Christians to be accountable to each other for spiritual growth. A person cannot be accountable when they are not committed to any specific church family.

As you visit our church, we pray that you will consider all the benefits and privileges of membership to a local community of believers. Our prayer is that you will join us in our commitment to share the good news of Jesus Christ.