How to Join Sunrise Mountain Baptist Church

Everyone is welcome to worship and participate in the activities and ministries of Sunrise Mountain Baptist Church.

However, many desire a higher level of involvement and commitment.

Perhaps you've wondered about what's involved in joining Sunrise Mountain. If so, we encourage you to read and be aware of the following:

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WHY become a member?

• Identifying / Belonging.
  • When you join SMBC you are identifying yourself as a follower of Jesus Christ, and you become part of an extended family committed to serving with you.

• Serving / Leading.
  • Membership affords you the opportunity to serve the Lord be a leader in the ministries of Sunrise Mountain.

WHO can become a member?

• Anyone is welcome to join Sunrise Mountain who has met or is committing themselves to meeting these three requirements for membership:
  • A personal relationship with Jesus.
    • Membership is for believers -- those who have, by faith, accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, and have committed themselves to serving Him as an obedient follower (disciple).

  • Baptism -- a public commitment.
    • Membership is open to anyone who has already been baptized by immersion (placed under water) after having accepted Jesus as Lord (believers’ baptism) or is committing himself / herself to being baptized soon.

    • Baptism is not required to be a Christian, nor does it “make” someone a Christian. However, the Bible does teach that baptism is a public declaration of our love for Jesus (like a wedding ring declares your love for your spouse), and is an act of obedience Jesus instructed each believer to participate in.

    • Of course, exceptions are made in certain cases: (physical issues, unusual family issues, etc.).

  • A willingness to serve.
    • Membership involves being committed to helping "share the load," and serving according to your passion and giftedness.

    • If you're looking for a church where all that is asked of you as a member is to come and sit and be entertained, you need to look somewhere else.
      • Members of Sunrise Mountain jump in and serve...and consequently experience the joy that comes from the satisfaction of knowing they are helping to advance the Kingdom of God.

HOW can I join SUNRISE MOUNTAIN?

• After indicating your desire to become a member of SMBC, you will be asked to attend a class (The Sunrise Class) which is held on the first Saturday of each month (or at other times if needed).

• This two-hour class led by Pastor Mike discusses the history, beliefs, organization and ministries of SMBC.

• At the close of the class you can “officially” join in one of the following three ways:

• • Transfer your membership.
    • If you are currently a member of a Southern Baptist church, you can ask that your membership be transferred to SMBC. Our clerk will then send a letter to your former church to let them know.

• • Join by testimony.
    • If you are not currently a member of a Southern Baptist church, but you have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior and you were baptized by immersion after having accepted Him, you are welcome to join by telling the counselor that testimony (statement).

• • Join after being baptized.
    • If you have just recently received Jesus as Lord or you have not already been baptized by immersion, it would be our great joy to provide that opportunity to you, and welcome you into the Sunrise Mountain family.

WHAT is required of members?

• Membership is unashamedly a commitment on the part of each member to the following...
• • Regular attendance.
    • Members commit themselves to “not forsaking our assembling together with other believers...but to encourage one another” by being present each week in worship and participating in church-wide events.

• • Individual growth and service.
    • Every member is challenged to be a student of Scripture, to pray, and to seek to mature spiritually.

    • We grow as we serve Him, so every member is challenged to “serve according to his/her “passion” (where you enjoy serving), but to serve in at least one of the ministries of Sunrise Mountain.

• • Mutual encouragement.
    • Every member is encouraged to work with others in harmony, help as needed, and encourage others.

• • Financial support.
    • Every member is challenged to “give as God leads,” giving cheerfully and faithfully to support the Lord’s work through SMBC.

WHERE/WHEN can I Sign-up?

• We have made FOUR WAYS AVAILABLE for you to indicate your desire to join:

• • You can respond during a worship service.
    • If you would like to join Sunrise Mountain, you can come to the front of the auditorium and tell Pastor Mike or a counselor during the public invitation time.

• • Say so on a connection card.
    • Simply check the box: “I would like to become a member.”
      • Pastor Mike will then contact you and together you can finalize the details.

• • Tell Pastor Mike, a staff member, or any of our deacons.
    • You can tell them in person, or you can e-mail Pastor Mike at pastor@smbcaz.org.

    • Pastor Mike or any of our staff or deacons will gladly take care of the details.

• • Say so in the "Comments" section on this page.
    • Simply indicate in the comments section below that you would like to become a member and either Pastor Mike, one of our staff members, or one of our Deacon Ministers will contact you to take care of the details.

You're certainly welcome...and INVITED...to join us!

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