Article IV- Church Member's Statement of Purpose and Desire

Having been led by the Spirit of God, I have received Jesus Christ as my Savior (Jn 1:12). I have experienced spiritual rebirth through the Holy Spirit (Jn 3:6,7; 1:13) and have publicly confessed my faith by word (Rom 10:8-10) and in baptism (Rom 6:3-5). I subscribe to the Articles of Faith of my church and do now with other members of the church as one body in Christ state my purpose and desire as a member of Quaboag Valley Baptist Church:

1. To walk lovingly (Jn 13:34,35) and humbly with fellow believers (I Peter 5:6; Rom 12:3); to pray for them (James 5:16); to separate myself from practices that would hurt my relationship with Christ and other believers (Titus 2:12).

2. To pray for the spiritual growth and health of my church (Jn 15:8,16); to uphold it through faithful atttendance at worship, training and teaching; to observe its ordinances (Mt 28:19,20; I Cor 11:24-27; Heb 10:25) and affirm its teaching (I Peter 3:15; Jude 3).

3. To give regularly and cheerfully to my church as God prospers to support ministries of evangelism, teaching and training (II Cor 9:6,7; I Cor 16:2); to assist the needy (Prv 19:17); and for the spreading of the Gospel both here in the Quaboag Valley communities and all over the earth (Mt 28:19,20).

4. To serve faithfully in some activity in the church body according to God's leading and according to my spiritual gifts and abilities (Rom 12:4-8; James 1:22-24; 2:18); taking care to assume only such duties as can be effectively performed (I Cor 4:2); to improve my service by prayerful study of Scripture (2 Tim 2:15).

5. To maintain family worship, training and discipline in my home. To encourage family prayer, Bible study and spiritual growth for any under my care (Eph 6:1-4; Prv 22:6).

6. To endeavor by my example (Mt 5:16), witness (I Peter 3:15), and effort to point people to Christ, and to do my part in building them up in the faith (Mt 28:19,20; Eph 4:11-16; Col 1:28).

7. To follow the Bible as my rule of faith and practice (II Tim 3:16,17).

8. In a spirit of unity, to endeavor to understand and appreciate my fellow members in the church, especially those who may have personalities, ministries and backgrounds quite different from mine (Rom 14:1-7; I Cor 12:4-7, 18-28; Gal 3:26-28; Phil 2:1-4).

9. To endeavor to put into practice the Scriptures relating to our church as the Body of Christ (Rom 12:6-16; I Cor 12:11-27; Eph 4:11-16).