An orientation class designed to help Christians who wish to unite in membership to Rock Mountain Lakes Baptist Church.

SECTION 1: HELLO, RMLBC

A LITTLE HISTORY

Herbert Thrasher years: 1978 – 1984

The first meeting of what would become Rock Mtn Lakes Baptist Church was held April 16, 1978 in the home of Carl and Annelle Bishop. Seventeen people gathered there as Dr. John Smith, Director of Missions at the Bessemer Baptist Association preached the first message. Herbert Thrasher became the pastor of the fledgling church mission, which was sponsored by the McCalla Baptist Church. With partial funding from the Alabama Baptist Convention and the Bessmer Baptist Association, a groundbreaking ceremony for our church building was held on April 26, 1979. On December 30 of that same year, a worship service was held in the completed basement of the new building. On November 30, 1980, the church was chartered with 94 members.

Derek Gentle years: 1984 – 1986

On August 12, 1984, Rev. Derek Gentle was called as the second pastor of the First Baptist Church of Rock Mountain Lakes. He was the first to serve as full time pastor. A theme verse at that time arose among the church members – Galatians 6:9 “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Under Pastor Derek, the church grew. In 1985, Sunday School enrollment increased 45%, leading all the churches of the Bessemer Baptist Association. From 1996 to the present (2009), Pastor Gentle has been the pastor of First Baptist Church, Tallassee, Florida.

Tom Terry years: 1987 – 1992

On February 1, 1987, Tom Terry was called as the third pastor of RMLBC. The Lord was active in our church under Pastor Tom’s ministry. Scott Guffin served as minister of youth and music for a time. Scott is now the Senior pastor of Liberty Baptist Church in Birmingham. Also, in 1988, two youth surrendered their lives to the ministry: Brent Sims, who is currently (2009) the Senior Pastor of Gum Springs Baptist Church in Walling, TN, and Lane Collins, who is currently (2009) the youth pastor of FBC Milan, TN.

Jerry Sherrell years 1993 – 1998

On February 15, 1993 Jerry Sherrell is called as the fourth pastor of RMLBC. During Pastor Jerry’s first three years, over 100 new members were added to the fellowship. During this time, plans were made for the construction of an educational facility that has become our gym and fellowship area. Pastor Jerry is currently (2009) the pastor of Cottage Hills Baptist Church, McCalla.

Neil Bruce years 1999 – 2008

God called Pastor Neil Bruce, the fifth pastor of RMLBC, to lead the church into the new millennium. During this time, the new gym and fellowship area was completed. In addition, the church totally redecorated the sanctuary, with much help from Dr. Jason Gamble, who is especially to thank for the beauty of our foyer. Pastor Neil resigned in 2008.

Jason Dollar years 2009 – present

On July 1, 2009, Rev. Jason Dollar became the sixth pastor of RMLBC.

Family: Wife Page, children Noah, Anna, Mary, and Isaac
Ministry training: Southeastern Bible College (BA pastoral ministries) and Birmingham Theological Seminary (MA apologetics)
Previous service: Pastor, Valley East Baptist Church, Pinson, AL; Apologetics teacher, Shades Mtn. Christian School, Hoover, AL

DEACONS

ACTIVE DEACONS: Don Daniel (Chairman), Tim Lewis, Robert Johnston, Terry Huguley, Barry Marler, Norm Muir, Brad Polk; DEACONS EMERITUS: Robert (Bob) Grantham, Harold Self

FACILITIES

The RMLBC property breaks down into two large areas, the sanctuary and the gym. The SANCTUARY side has an upstairs and downstairs. Upstairs you will find our foyer, front hall, and sanctuary. The front hall contains several classrooms and restrooms. The downstairs area houses our youth department, several classrooms, the choir rehearsal room, restrooms, and several storage areas. On the GYM side, you will find the gym (which also doubles as our fellowship area for meals), kitchen, children’s Sunday School classes, storage rooms, restrooms, and the church office.

WORSHIP SERVICES

RMLBC typically holds 3 weekly worship services, Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and Wednesday evening. Our goal in conducting these services is to corporately praise our Creator, Almighty God, with true, heartfelt worship. The Sunday morning service usually contains 3 or 4 songs ranging from traditional to contemporary in style. We pray, read Scripture, listen intently to God’s Word being preached, and respond to God as we hear from Him. The Sunday evening and Wednesday evening services are, in many ways, like the Sunday morning service, except usually less formal. Our church receives an offering as an expression of worship during both Sunday services.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

RMLBC has a place for you and your family. On Sunday mornings, the hour before our worship service is devoted to Christian education through our Sunday School. Children, youth, and adults are all invited to join a class and study the Scriptures in depth. Other small groups meet at different times and places. For example, the men of our church have a Men’s Prayer Breakfast once a month. Small groups are normally announced in the bulletin and on our website.

YOUTH

Our youth department, headed by Adam Lewis, seeks to lead middle school and high school students into a closer relationship to the Lord. The youth meet each Wednesday night at 6pm.

MUSIC

The members of our church love music. We have a wonderful choir that prepares especially for Easter and Christmas, while also leading the congregation in worship periodically during Sunday morning services. If you are interested in joining the choir, no tryouts are necessary. Just come to practice.

NURSERY

God has blessed RMLBC with many children and babies! With the blessing comes the responsibility to care for them while services are being conducted. You can rest assured that our nursery coordinators and volunteers have your children’s safety in mind. If you are interested in helping with this vital ministry, please express your interest to the nursery coordinators.

MINISTRIES AND MISSIONS

Besides our on campus worship services, Sunday School, and small groups, RMLBC is also actively involved in other missions and ministries, both on and off campus. These include an annual Vacation Bible School, Fall Festival, Drama team, missions work with Sav-A-Life, the Foundry, and mission trips to foreign fields. We invite every member to find your place of ministry at RMLBC.

SECTION 2: PURPOSE OF RMLBC

Every organization needs purpose. Why does the group exist? At RMLBC, we have adopted the following statement to clarify and communicate why we exist:

OUR PURPOSE STATEMENT: Rock Mountain Lakes Baptist Church exists to cultivate a missional congregation where Christians are growing in their love for and obedience to Jesus Christ.

In order to understand and appreciate this purpose statement, we will ask and answer several important questions.

What does it mean that our church is Baptist?

We believe in a regenerate and baptized membership. We do not believe that infants should be granted membership rights. Nor do we believe that nonbelievers should be granted membership rights.
We believe in local church autonomy. We do not believe that denominational authorities have the right to dictate what a local church can or cannot do. We do not believe in the power of bishops and popes, or any other external power, in governing the local church.
We believe in the priesthood of all believers. We do not hold to any artificial primacy of the clergy. The Holy Spirit works through the entire congregation, who all should be studying the Bible, engaged in direct prayer with God, and reaching the lost with the Gospel.

How does a church cultivate its people?

PLANT: (Decision to follow Christ and abandon sin) | “Reach people”
NURTURE: (Commitment to join the church) | “Keep people”
WATER: (Growing closer to the Lord) | “Teach people”
HARVEST: (Service for God’s glory) | “Give Feet to people”

What does it mean to be missional?

Being missional means developing relationships through which the Gospel (a message composed of words) can flow, bringing the preserving and lighting effects of Jesus Christ to wherever we happen to be (Mt. 5:13-16).

Acts 17:26-27 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us.

What does it mean to be a congregation?

We congregate for corporate worship.

Acts 2:44-47 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

We congregate for corporate discipleship. – “Attending the temple together”

Acts 2:42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

We congregate to meet each others’ physical needs. – “Distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need”

We congregate to stir up love and good works.

Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

What does it mean to love Jesus Christ?

Jesus is a living person, not a concept, a system of beliefs, or a way of life. To love Christ is to love a person.

John 21:16 “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”

Our love for Christ depends first upon His love for us.

1 John 4:19 We love because he first loved us.

Romans 5:8 God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

We cannot work for the benefit of Christ (since He needs nothing at all), but we can live for the glory of Christ.

1 Corinthians 4:7 What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?

Acts 17:24-25 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.

Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Because Christ is the most worthy object of our love, to love Him is the most valuable activity humans can engage in.

Psalm 84:10 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

What does it mean to obey Jesus Christ?

FIRST – Trust in Him, not in yourself, for salvation

Romans 3:20-25 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it- the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.

BUT ALSO UNDERSTAND – Works of obedience are the natural fruits of justification.

Romans 2:6-8 He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.

SECTION 3: BASIC BELIEFS

Members of Rock Mountain Lakes Baptist Church are united by their common belief in the core doctrines of biblical Christianity. These core doctrines provide the structure upon which the Christian worldview is built, and are essential to the building of a faithful local church. Other official doctrinal statements may also be adopted by the church as needed, but they must be fully consistent with the doctrines listed in this constitution.

Section 1: The Bible. The Bible, consisting of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, is the inerrant, inspired Word of the living and true God, and the sole authoritative source of information about His nature and works. (Rom 16:25-26; II Pet 1:19-21)

Section 2: God the Father. God is the infinite, personal Creator of the universe. He is One in essence and Trinity in persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God does all things ultimately for His own glory. (Gen 1:1; Eph 4:6; Matt 28:19-20; II Pet 3:18; Rev 1:6)

Section 3: Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God who took on flesh and dwelt among us. He was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified by Pontius Pilate, rose again three days later, and ascended into Heaven where He now sits at the right hand of the Father. One day, in His own time, Jesus Christ will return to earth to bring the nations to final judgment and establish His eternal Kingdom. (Jn 1:1-14; Heb 1:1-3; I Tim 2:5-6; I Thess 5:23; Rev 19:12-15)

Section 4: The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Trinity. He is active in every part of creation and redemption, working in His unique role along with the Father and the Son. (Gen 1:2; Rom 8:9-11; Eph 1:13-14; Rev 22:17)

Section 5: Man. Man was created male and female in the image of God. He is not God (or a god) nor will he ever be. Adam and Eve were the first man and woman. As a result of their rebellion all mankind fell into sin and as a result is under the curse of God. (Gen 1:26-30; 3:1-24; Rom 5:12-13)

Section 6: Salvation. Salvation is the work of God to release mankind from the curse of judgment and to reconcile him with God. This great work is established by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and is provided for all who are “in Christ” by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit and by repentance and faith. Those who are in Christ will enjoy everlasting life in the Kingdom of God and all the benefits provided to them by their loving Heavenly Father. All who are not in corporate solidarity with Christ are not saved and will face everlasting torment in Hell. (Eph 1:7-10; Rom 3:20-25; Jn 5:24; Rev 20:14-15; 21:3)

Section 7: The Church. The church is a spiritual organism made up of all born-again persons. As a collective group it is called the Bride of Christ. The establishment and continuance of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament Scriptures. Each local church is autonomous, which means free of any external authority and control. Believer’s baptism and the Lord’s supper are the two ordinances of the church as commanded by Christ. (Acts 13:1-4; 14:27; 15:19-31; 20:17; Rom 16:1; I Cor 3:9; 16; 5:4-13; Eph 1:22-23; 5:25-27; I Tim 3:1–3; Titus 1:5–11; I Pet 5:1-4)

SECTION 4: MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS

As a church that belongs to Jesus Christ, the living Savior, we do not want to be considered a joke of an organization. Serious organizations place standards for their members to keep in order to maintain their membership status.

Lifestyle Requirements to maintain membership

RMLBC requires our members to live a Spirit-filled, fruit-bearing lifestyle. In making these things requirements we need to make an important clarification.

Living a “Christian lifestyle” is not the same as being a Christian. We do not want our members to confuse the two. We become Christians just as we are, sinners saved by grace, through the work and merit of Jesus Christ. But as members of His church, we have made a commitment to Him, to reflect His holiness to the world in the way we live. Thus, even though no human can peer into the heart of another, in order to maintain Church membership, these lifestyle requirements must be upheld.

Please notice that these requirements are not specific, but general, leaving room for individual application. Also notice that these are biblical and common sense expectations for a person who has committed to a life of following Jesus Christ.

Attendance: We do not take roll and we do not require a minimum number of services, but we do ask that you “be around.” Come as often as you can. Love the church and be here. If a member does not attend very often at all, that person’s membership status may be suspended until it is determined why he or she is not attending.

Devotion: Since the goal of our church is to produce disciples of Jesus Christ we desire our members to engage in the spiritual disciplines of the Christian life. We want you to be devoted to reading the Bible regularly and spending ample time in prayer.

Service / ministry: The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit endows all believers with gifts of the Spirit, to be used in the building up of the church. Church is not a place to come and always be served but rather a place to come and serve others. It is unacceptable for a Christian to allow his or her gift to sit dormant. As a church, we want to help all our members discover and use their spiritual gifts for the glory of Jesus Christ.

Support: People should only become members of a church if they truly believe in the mission and goals of that church. Thus, all members should freely participate in supporting the work of the church in word and deed. Members should speak positively of the church to others whenever possible. They should lift up the leadership and members of the church regularly in prayer. They should participate in the ministries of the church, and support them financially.

Ethics: People are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone. Our church lives and dies for this great truth. And being a believer in Jesus Christ is the most fundamental requirement for being a member of our church. That said, church membership is maintained, at least partially, by bearing outward, evidential fruit of salvation.

This emphatically does not mean that church members must maintain ethical perfection, but is does mean that members are striving for holiness in their conduct. At RMLBC, we are especially looking for holiness in speech, marriage, and addictions – three very public areas of our lives where Gospel fruit should be evident if indeed the Gospel has truly taken root in our hearts.

SPEECH: The Bible teaches clearly that when Jesus saves someone, their habits of speech are changed. This is not simply, “quit cussing,” but rather a desire to build up and encourage the body of Christ, and a refusal to use speech to harm or degrade others, or spread filth.

MARRIAGE: The Bible also teaches that marriage is a picture of Christ’s saving grace in our lives, and thus must be held sacred. Church members must understand their obligations to their spouse, and refuse to divorce, except in the most extreme cases. An unbiblical divorce will lead to suspension and/or removal of membership until evidence of repentance is evident.

ADDICTIONS: God created people to be addictive by nature. We “get hooked on” the things we love the most. This being the case, when Jesus saves us, and we fall in love with Him, our addictive natures are to be placed exclusively on Him. This is why gluttony and drunkenness are considered gross sins in the Bible. When we stuff ourselves, or depend upon alcohol for happiness, we are, in effect, turning our backs on God and the joy that only He can bring. So at RMLBC, we want to help members be addicted only to Jesus. Members are people who are actively working toward this goal.

MEMBERSHIP FORM

Please use only one form per person

Last Name ____________________________________ First Name _______________________________

Address ________________________________ City __________________ State ____ Zip _______

Phone_______________________ Email _______________________________

I testify that I know Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, and am seeking to follow Him with my life. [] Yes [] No

Please tell us about how you came to know Christ as your Savior:

I testify that I have been baptized. [] Yes [] No

If yes, when were you baptized and which church baptized you?

Are you currently a member of another church? [] Yes [] No

If yes, which church?

Does the pastor and other leadership know you wish to join RMLBC? [] Yes []No

If no, why not?

Briefly tell us why you are seeking membership at RMLBC:

By signing below you are expressing your sincere interest in becoming a member of Rock Mountain Lakes Baptist Church. Please understand that your membership does not begin until the congregation approves by a majority vote.

Signature of applicant: ________________________________________Date:______________

AGREEMENT FORM

PURPOSE STATEMENT

The RMLBC Purpose Statement: Rock Mountain Lakes Baptist Church exists to cultivate a missional congregation where Christians are growing in their love for and obedience to Jesus Christ.

I agree with the above purpose statement and will seek to uphold it to the best of my ability as the Holy Spirit empowers me.

Signature: _______________________________________ Date: ______________________

BASIC BELIEFS

I agree substantially with the basic theological beliefs of Rock Mountain Lakes Baptist Church pertaining to the Bible, God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, angels and demons, man, sin, salvation, the church, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and end times. These are the views expressed in the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message. I will seek to uphold and spread these teachings of the Bible.

Signature: ________________________________ Date: ______________

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF REQUIREMENTS TO MAINTAIN CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

I am aware of the requirements for maintaining church membership at RMLBC. I will therefore seek to be faithful in attendance to the church, devotion to the Lord, service for God’s glory, and support of His ministry. I will also, seek to live an ethical life by the power of the Holy Spirit working within me. I will strive to use my speech and actions to glorify God, will seek to uphold the sacredness of marriage, and will avoid harming addictions.

Signature: __________________________________ Date: ____________

RECORD OF ATTENDANCE / VIEWING TO THE RMLBC 101 CLASS

I attended / watched all sessions of RMLBC 101, and will seek to comply with all that I learned in these sessions, as a member of the church.

Signature: _________________________________ Date: _________________

RMLBC 101