Article 1.    Members of this church are baptized people who profess faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, give evidence of a changed heart, and who agree to abide by the doctrinal statement and covenant of our church.

Article 2.    All candidates for membership shall appear before the Board of Deacons and the Pastor to be interviewed regarding their faith in Christ and views concerning the covenant and doctrinal statement of Memorial Baptist Church.  To this end, a copy of the Purpose, Doctrinal Statement, Covenant, and By-Laws will be given to potential candidates and explained.  The pastor and/or deacons will do this before an interview takes place.  The board may vote to recommend the candidate for membership or to counsel the candidate to receive further counsel and instruction.

Article 3.    Upon recommendation of the Board of Deacons, candidates for membership will be accepted into membership upon a 2/3 vote of a properly warned meeting of the membership.  The right hand of fellowship will be offered at the next scheduled service of worship by all members present to formally induct new members.  This induction will include the signing of the Purpose, Covenant, and By-Laws as kept by the Clerk.

Article 4.    Active members will have the right of voice and vote at all duly warned meetings of Memorial Baptist Church.     

Article 5.    Members shall retain their active membership in this church by living in accord with the Covenant.  The Pastor and the Board of Deacons will review the active membership roll annually.  After one year of inactivity, members will be contacted by the Deacons and may be placed on the inactive members list.  Inactive members are ineligible to vote at church meetings until they are interviewed by the Pastor and Board of Deacons and readmitted to active membership.

    After a person has been on the inactive members list for four years the Board of Deacons may remove his or her name from the inactive member list.  Such action will not be taken if a legitimate reason is found retaining the person for another year.

Article 6.  The Clerk shall enroll new members by one of three designations, by baptism, by letter of transfer from another church, or by Christian experience.  The designation will be assigned by the Pastor and the Board of Deacons.