Baptism and Membership
This page is addressed to those who have decided that they want to be a disciple of Jesus as part of Gold Hill Baptist Church. Baptism is a ritual which Jesus tells us to perform to indicate that we have decided to become one of his followers. Membership at Gold Hill is the formal mechanism which shows that someone is committed to the church and gives them a say in how the church is run.
This page gives just a brief overview of each. To know more, or to express an interest in pursuing Baptism or Membership, please talk to one of the church leaders.
Baptism
Baptism is something we encourage everyone who is a Christian to do, because it is something Jesus tells us to do. There is a lot we could say about baptism here, but we will just cover a few basic things, both practical things and spiritual things.
Practical
What actually happens when someone is baptised is that they are taken into some water (a pool, river, our own baptistry at the Hub), and then they are completely submerged before being brought up again. This is how someone is baptised. Often it will happen as part of one of our regular church gatherings in our building, but sometimes it happens away from the building in the sea, a swimming pool or a back garden. It also does not have to be someone special, or a leader in a church, who baptises you. Anyone who follows Jesus and has been baptised can do it.
Spiritual
For us, far more important than how and where baptism is done is the reason for it. Baptism is not what makes someone a Christian – it is a response that someone who has become a Christian makes to God in obedience to Him. That’s why, before someone is baptised at Gold Hill, they are asked two simple questions:
- Do you love Jesus?
- Will you follow Him for the rest of your life?
If the answer to both of those questions is ‘yes!’ then you can be baptised!
But what exactly does it signify? When someone is plunged down into the pool, it is a visible demonstration that their old life has died. Just as Jesus Himself was killed and buried, so we put to death our old self which is marked by our own failures. But then as we are brought back out of the water, we rise up into the new life that Jesus has won for us. When He rose again, it meant we can each have new life. So the symbol of baptism is a way of remembering and declaring the story of what Jesus has done for each of us.
If you haven’t been baptised and would like to explore it, please get in touch and we’d love to have a conversation with you.
Membership
Why become a member?
Gold Hill Baptist Church as a local family of believers is ultimately led by its members making key decisions at the church meeting. Here information is shared with members, and the membership as a whole take important decisions together relating to the church’s vision, strategy, resources and finances.
It is thus vital that all committed Christians who sense that they are part of God’s family here at Gold Hill are full members. This ensures that everyone is committed to working together for God’s purposes here, has the opportunity to be fully informed about developments in and through the church, and to participate in the church’s key decisions. As committed Christians together we are guided by the Holy Spirit.
In addition, membership ensures that we are more fully committed to each other – the individual to the church family and the church family to the individual. Being more engaged in church life means that we have greater opportunity to inform, support and encourage individual members, and individuals have more opportunity to use their God-given gifts to work together for God’s purposes.
How do I become a member?
According to the constitution of Gold Hill, membership is open to everyone who holds the doctrines commonly called evangelical, especially that Jesus is the incarnate Son of God, and that the Bible is the Word of God, and usually that he/she has been baptised by immersion as a believer. Full membership is open to all aged 16 or over.
This website provides information about the history, beliefs and practices, structure and operation of Gold Hill, together with details of our expectations of church members. If you want to become a member, one or more of the current elders will run through this with you, and also ask you to share your own faith journey and engagement today with the fellowship at Gold Hill. After discussion, each person would, if appropriate, be recommended to the Church Meeting (providing a summary paragraph about themselves and a photograph to aid wider recognition).
What are the responsibilities of Church Members?
The constitution (standing orders) of Gold Hill Baptist Church outlines the responsibilities of church members. During 2026, a proposal will be brought to the church members to modernise the language used. The commitments listed below reflect the proposed changes.
Our Commitments as members of this church who are seeking to be and multiply fully devoted disciples of Jesus:
1. Live the Gospel Daily
To live in a way that reflects the good news of Jesus—worthy of our calling in Christ—and to depend on the continual guidance, fullness and power of the Holy Spirit.
2. Share Jesus Regularly and Intentionally
To actively look for opportunities to invite, welcome, and walk with others towards Jesus—through our words, actions, hospitality and everyday witness—and to play our part in God’s mission locally and globally.
3. Stay Rooted in Scripture and Prayer
To set aside time each day to pray, to talk and listen with God, and read the Bible so that our lives are shaped by his Word.
4. Gather for Worship with others and share in Communion
To join regularly in gathered worship with the church family, unless prevented by circumstances, and to take part faithfully in Communion.
5. Commit to Prayer Together
To stand in the gap for others through personal prayer and, whenever possible, to join with the church in gatherings for prayer.
6. Build One Another Up
To encourage, support, and strengthen one another; to pursue unity, friendship, and Christ-like love with all in the church.
7. Serve Using Our Gifts
To contribute to the life and mission of the church—serving according to our gifts, calling, and opportunities.
8. Participate in Church Life and Leadership
To take responsibility for the health of the church by being present at members’ meetings where possible, supporting shared decision-making, and encouraging our leaders.
9. Give Generously and Regularly
To give faithfully and sacrificially to the church’s ministry and to the work of God’s kingdom locally and across the world.
10. Commit to Community
To be part of, and regularly engage with, a life group or other small/accountability group for spiritual growth, support, mission and disciple multiplication.
Membership Status
Church members are eligible to have a voice and a vote in church meetings and to hold an office (as deacon or elder) or leadership position in the church family.
When members relocate, they will normally request a transfer to the church family into which they are settling in the new location. They will normally remain in membership at Gold Hill until they have identified and are involved in their new spiritual home, and at such stage may maintain contact with Gold Hill as a Friend
Where by choice members cease to attend Gold Hill (and are thus no longer actively engaged in the life of the church) they will be asked if they wish to cancel their membership and retain connection as a Friend of Gold Hill.
Very rarely, a member might be asked by the eldership to withdraw their membership due to spiritual, moral, or relational practices outside those indicated in Scripture. Should a member’s behaviour be considered incompatible with the Christian profession, a conversation would be held with two elders at an early stage, followed by loving counsel and if necessary a caution.
The membership roll shall be revisited at least annually according to current data protection legislation. No name will be transferred from the church membership roll without, if at all possible, due notice to and discussion with the person concerned. Transfer of names shall be subject to approval by vote at the church meeting. Reasons for transfer to Friends’ or Records Roll status would normally be relocation out of the district permanently, such that pastoral care can no longer be exercised over them.
Next Step
If you would like to explore membership of Gold Hill then please talk to one of the church leaders or send an email to office@goldhill.org
