What is church membership?

It is the way of saying that Victoria is your spiritual home. If you are a committed Christian and regularly worship here then church membership is for you.

If you would like to enquire about church membership please

what are the benefits?

small groups

As a new member of the church you can be linked with a small group, if you have not settled in one already. As a fellowship we seek to use our small groups as a place where we can grow together in the Lord.

pastoral care

As members of the fellowship we seek to care for each other. If you face some specific area of need there are many within the church who would be glad to help.

teaching

The ministers, who are supported full-time by the fellowship, provide the main teaching for the church. They supported by the core leadership team and other qualified members in delivering the wide range of regular teaching programmes available here.

fellowship

No Christian can grow alone. Becoming a church member is a way of saying that you are committed to this local church. You then enjoy the sense of belonging that comes from being linked with other Christians and you can take part in our decision making as we seek to discern the Lord's will together

what is my part?

my prayer

We firmly believe that the Lord works in response to our prayers. We will regularly feed you with information so that you can pray intelligently and see God at work.

my time

Your time to minister to other Christians or to perform practical tasks in the church is valuable to the Lord.

my abilities

`Within a fellowship like ours the Lord is able to use people with a wide variety of gifts and abilities. We can help you discover what your spiritual strengths are through our Niche programme. We hope you will be able to use your gifts to the full in order to build and strengthen the church.

my money

`Our money gifts are an expression of our love to the Lord. They are used to support the minister, finance our missionaries and keep the wheels of the church moving. Many members covenant their regular giving to increase its value to the church.

There is a leaflet on giving which you can pick up in the Welcome Centre or if you want to give on line you can

the basis of membership

Church membership is open to all who profess repentance towards God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, whose lives bear evidence of their Christian profession and who assent to the doctrinal statement of the church.

do I have to be baptised?

We believe that the Bible clearly tells us to obey Jesus by being baptised as believers and so we would ask you to prayerfully consider this. However we have an 'open' membership which means where appropriate people who have not been baptised can still become members.

what happens when I apply?

After you have completed the form on this information leaflet give it to one of the ministers or send it to the VBC office. Then two of our members will arrange to visit you. They will want to discover how you became a Christian and briefly talk about what it means to be a church member. Your application is considered by the Core Leadership Team and following acceptance is reported to the next Church Business meeting. We also welcome you in publicly at the next communion service that is convenient with you.

more information about VBC

There is lots more information about the church available from the Welcome Centre by the coffee machine or from the church office at other times. Please ask for it!

ceasing my membership

Your membership may be discontinued or transferred to another church on request. For example, most people who move away from the district and worship at another church cancel their membership soon after they have made the change.