FAQ’s
Q: How can I become a member of Bethel?
A: Our first and primary concern is that you know that you have eternal life through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. If you have a question about whether you’ve been saved, please visit the page on eternal life. If you are a believer, you are welcome as a member of Bethel. We receive new members in the following ways:
By Baptism. Everyone who joins Bethel must have first gone through believer’s baptism by immersion either at Bethel, or at a Baptist Church of like faith and order. If you’ve never been baptized as a believer, by immersion, by a Baptist Church of like faith and order, we would ask you to be baptized into our membership.
By Letter of Recommendation. If you have been baptized by immersion as a believer in another Baptist Church, we will simply ask your previous church for a letter of recommendation.
By Statement of Faith. If you’ve been baptized according to Bethel’s requirements but no record of your previous membership is available, you may join by affirming your faith in Christ and previous commitment publicly.
Q: What is expected of me as a member?
A: At Bethel, we hold church membership in high regard. While we respect the individual liberty of each believer before God, we expect that members will have committed themselves to the following:
Protecting Bethel’s unity by acting in love toward other members, refusing to gossip, and following the leaders. (Rom. 15:5, 19; 1 Pet. 1:22; Eph. 4:29; Heb. 13:17).
Sharing the responsibility by praying for its growth, inviting the unchurched to attend, and warmly welcoming those who visit. (1 Thess. 1:2; Luke 14:23; Rom. 15:7).
Serving in Bethel’s ministry by discovering my gifts and talents, being equipped to serve by my pastors, and developing a servant’s heart. (1 Pet. 4:10; Eph. 4:11-12; Phil. 2:3-4, 7).
Supporting Bethel’s testimony by attending faithfully, living a godly life, and giving regularly. (Heb. 10:25; Phil. 1:27; 1 Cor. 16:2; Lev. 27:30).
Q: What Bible version is used at Bethel?
A: I personally use the King James Version of the Bible in my preaching and teaching, but we do not hold to a “King James only” position. We hold that the Bible is completely inerrant in its original manuscripts and that God has miraculously preserved His Word for people today through centuries of persecution. My belief is that the sheer number of manuscripts that are virtually alike attest to the preservation of a perfect Bible today, not necessarily in any single translation, but rather in the fact that an accurate translation may be made. I would recommend that we concentrate on finding a translation that accurately represents the original language of the Bible.
Q: What kind of music is endorsed by Bethel’s worship leadership?
A: One of the most divisive issues in Christianity today seems to be music. At Bethel, our typical worship style tends to be rather traditional, but we do not believe that you must be traditional to be biblical. In selecting music and preparing for worship, there are some important questions to ask such as: Does this song accurately reflect a correct belief from the Bible? Is it God-centered or man-centered? Does it engage the mind and move the heart or does it tend to be emotionalistic or dry? Even if Bethel uses newer music (which we will), it will always be biblical in its content, Christ-honoring in its presentation, and worshipful in its goal.
Q: What is the style of preaching used at Bethel?
A: When I first entered ministry, I was surrounded with great men, all of whom instilled in my heart and soul a deep value for “expository” preaching. Though defined in different ways by great men, I would define expository preaching as allowing a passage of the Bible to speak for itself, opening and applying its meaning in a systematic way. Generally, I preach through books of the Bible, though sometimes I will also preach series’ of messages on timely topics or doctrinal issues. Emphasis is given to biblical accuracy as well as personal application. An outline is provided for almost every message. View and hear samples at sermon archive site.
Q: Can I have my wedding at Bethel? Can Pastor Brandon perform the ceremony?
A: If you are considering asking to use Bethel’s building or for Pastor Brandon to perform your wedding ceremony, please read Pastor Brandon’s Wedding Policies.
There is no fee for the usage of the building, but a contract must be signed with an agreement to pay for any damages incurred in connection with the ceremony. Further, all decorating and cleaning is the responsibility of the wedding party. No alcohol may be served on Bethel’s campus and no dancing will be permitted at a reception on Bethel’s property.