Article III: Membership

Section 1: Admission

A. Qualifications. Any person may be admitted to the membership of New Covenant Chapel who:

1. Gives testimony of conversion and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

2. Assents to the Fundamental Beliefs as recorded in Article II

3. Agrees to conduct himself/herself (1) in compliance with this document, (2) in compliance with the expressed and/or intended spirit of mutual benefit and cooperation of this organizational body, and (3) with the intention of living apart from sin as commanded by God’s Word

4. Is willing to support the work of this church in regular participation

B. Procedure. Any person desiring membership in New Covenant Chapel may make his/her request known to a church elder. The candidate shall then meet together with at least two of the elders to determine whether he/she meets the qualifications for membership. If determined qualified, the candidate shall be presented to the congregation during a regular church service for congregational approval and welcome. A three-quarters majority vote of the church quorum is required to admit a member.

Section 2: Removal

A member of New Covenant Chapel may be removed from the membership list for any of the following reasons:

A. Death.

B. Request. Removal from membership may be made based on a request from the member personally or a request for a letter from another church.

C. Absence. The membership of any individual shall be automatically terminated if the member in question has not attended regular worship services of the church in the preceding six months. The church may choose to waive this provision if it determines that there is good cause for the absence. Waiver must be approved by a three-quarters majority vote of a church quorum.

D. Persistent sinful conduct. Removal from membership may be made based on persistent sinful conduct that is clearly contrary (according to the church’s determination) to the direct teachings of the Bible (such as immorality or apostasy). Prior to removal, the church, through its members and elders, shall strive to follow the guidelines for church discipline given in Scripture (Mat. 18:15-17; I Cor. 5:11). A two-thirds majority vote of a church quorum is required for removal of a member. Any member excluded from the church in this manner may be restored upon evidence of confession and repentance acceptable to the church. Restoration shall require a vote of three-quarters majority of a church quorum.