New Bethel Progressive Missionary Baptist Church

Membership Orientation

Sep 21, 2003

The first membership orientation is currently being taught by Pastor Webb. The class began on Tuesday, January 7, 2003. The basis for this class is to gether members, men, women, little ones and onn-members so that they may hear and learn to fear Lord God and carefully observe all the words of this law...Deuteronomy 31:12.

The purpose of this orientation is to equip the saints of God to build relationships, develope doctrinally sound believers, hold believers accountable and develop reproducing believers.

What makes New Bethel a family is:

OUR SALVATION - What God has done for us
"For now we are all children of God through faith in Jesus Christ and we who have been baptized into union with Christ are enveloped by Him. We are no longer Jews or Gentiles, slaves or free men, or even mere men or women but we are all the same -- we are Christians; we are one in Jesus Christ!" Galations 3:26-28

OUR STATEMENT - Why we exist as a church
"Let there be real harmony among you so there won't be any split in the church. I plead with you to be of one mind, united in thought and purpose." 1 Corinthians 1:10

Our statement --
"Winning Souls for Christ, One sinner at a time"

"...God's people will be equipped to do better work for him..." Ephesians 4:12

New Bethel exists to celebrate God's presence in worship, to demonstrate God's love through ministry, to communicate God's word through witnessing, to incorporate God's family as we fellowship with one another and to educate God's people in discipleship.

OUR STRATEGY - How we fulfill our purpose!
"I have been all things to all sorts of people that by every possible means I might win some to God. I do all this for the sake of the Good News." 1 Corinthians 9:22-23

New Bethel's primary target group are the unchurched individuals with no church home either due to being non-Christian or Christians relocating. We will not intentionally pursue members of other churches.

Our primary strategy for reaching lost people is through relationship building evangelism.

OUR STRUCTURE - When and where we fulfill our purpose!
"For God is not a God of disorder but of peace...Everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way." 1 Corinthians 14:33-40

The structure of New Bethel is not determined by culture, business practices or even denominational traditions. The church is a fellowship. Our top priority in fellowshis is love and unity. Therefore, a good structure promotes unity and downplays differences.

New Bethel is a family so we operate on the basis of relationships and not rules.

"Don't reprimand a senior member of the church. Appeal to him as a father. Treat the young men or brothers and the older women as mothers. Treat the younger women as sisters." 1 Timothy 5:1-2

"A Pastor must manage his own family well and see that his children oboey him with proper respect. If anyone does ot know how to manage his family, how can he take care of God's church?" 1 Timothy 3:4-5

The church is a body, therefore, we function on the basis of the Holy Spirit and not man.

"Just as each of us has one body with many members and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body and each member belongs to all the others. We each have different gifts according to the grace given us." Romans 12:4-6

At New Bethel, we have a simple structure so we can maximize our ministry and minimize maintenance.

"God gave...some to be pastors and teachers to prepare God's people for works of ministry so that the body of Christ may be built up..." Ephesians 4:11-12

The church is a flock, therefore, it is cared for and led by a shepherd.

"Jesus asked Simon Peter "Do you really love me?" "Yes Lord," said Peter. Then take care of my sheep." John 21:16-17

Rev. Reginal T. Webb, Pastor
New Bethel Progressive Missionary Baptist Church
Tampa, Florida