Membership
At New Plainview, membership is more than having your name on a roll. It is a commitment — to this church, to the people in it, and to the shared Christ-centered life we are building together. We take membership seriously because we believe the local church is where Christians are known, cared for, and Christ-centered accountability happens. Our process is intentional — not to make it harder, but because we think it matters.
What the Process Looks Like
If you’re interested in becoming a member, here’s what to expect:
Attend and get to know us. There’s no rush. Come on Sundays, come on Wednesday nights, ask questions, and see if New Plainview is where God is leading you.
Take our discovery class. This is where you’ll learn what we believe, how we’re structured, and what it means to be part of this church. We run discovery classes as needed — if one is coming up, you’ll see it on our events page.
Have a conversation with us. At some point in the process, we’ll sit down and talk. We want to hear your story — what your life looked like before Christ, how you came to know him, and how he’s been at work in your life since. It’s not a test or a formal interview. It’s just a conversation, and it’s one of the best parts of the whole process.
The church votes. We are a congregationally governed church, and receiving new members is a decision the whole church makes together. Before the vote, we read our church covenant aloud as a reminder of what we are committing to as a body. Membership isn’t a popularity contest — it’s a commitment to one another.
Our Church Covenant
Our covenant is our promise to God and to one another — a summary of how we have committed to live together as a church. These are not just words on a page. They are the commitments that bind us together as a body.
Having been brought by the grace of God to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, having been united to him by his Spirit and affirmed through church membership, we do now solemnly and joyfully make this covenant with one another, that by God’s grace:
We will work and pray for the unity of the Holy Spirit in the bond of peace with one another. (Eph. 4:1-3)
We will walk together in brotherly love as the members of a Christian Church, exercising affectionate care and watchfulness over each other and faithfully encouraging, warning, and admonishing one another as occasion may require. (Rom 12:10, 16:17-18; Gal 6:1-2; Matt 18:15-17; Jas 5:19-20; Col 3:16; Heb 3:12-13; 1 Thess 5:11; 1 Cor 5)
We will not forsake the assembling of ourselves together nor neglect to pray for ourselves and others. (Heb 10:24-25; 1 Cor 11:23-26; James 5:16)
We will lead those under our care in the training and instruction of the Lord, as well as seek the salvation of our family and friends. (Titus 2:1-6; Deut 6:4-7; Eph 6:4; 1 Pt. 3:1)
We will pursue fellowship with one another, rejoicing with each other’s joys and bearing one another’s burdens and sorrows. (Rom 12:15; Gal 6:2; James 2:14-17)
We will forsake the path of sin and walk in a manner worthy of the gospel by denying ungodliness and worldly desires. (Eph 5:15-21; 1 Pet 2:11-12; 1 John 2:15-17)
We will work together for the continuance of a faithful evangelical ministry in this church as we sustain its worship, discipline, and doctrine. (Eph 2:21-22; Heb 10:25; Matt. 28:19-20; 1 Cor 11:24-34; Rom 16:17; 2 Thess 3:6; 1 Cor 5; Acts 2:42; 2 Jn 1:9-11; Lk 24:46-48; Acts 1:8)
We will contribute cheerfully and regularly to the ministry of this church, the needs of our neighbors, and the spread of the gospel to the ends of the earth. (Matthew 10:10; Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Cor 9:7; James 2:14-17; Gal 6:6; Mal 3:8-10; Acts 11:29; 2 Cor 8:1-5)
If we leave this church, we will join another gospel-preaching church as soon as possible to carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word. (Acts 18:27-28; Rom 16:1-2; 1 Cor 15:58; Col 3:23; Heb 10:24-25)
(2 Cor 13:14)
How We’re Governed
Our church constitution outlines how we govern ourselves as a congregation — the offices of elder, deacon, and pastor, how decisions are made in Church in Conference, membership and discipline, and more. Members and anyone curious about our governance are welcome to read it.