FAQ

If you are considering joining EIC, renewing your membership or are already a long-time member, you will find the following questions and answers helpful in getting to know EIC better.

Q: When may I apply for Membership/Associate Membership at EIC?
You may request Membership/Associate Membership status anytime by contacting one of the pastoral staff and discussing your request. Membership renewal, however, is conducted annually in August and September.

Q: Why do we have to renew our church membership every year?
Annual renewal of church membership is required by our church constitution (as approved by EIC membership), and it also keeps EIC in compliance with French laws governing religious associations.

Q: Why does EIC have to report church membership?
The 1905 religious association laws of France require the government to monitor religious associations without engaging in controlling their fundamental activity. To be in compliance with these laws, EIC must be registered as a religious association and annually report our membership.

Q: Will my name and contact information be reported to the French government?
No. The only names required by law to be reported are Church Council members. Additionally, the number of EIC members is reported. This information is also reported to our parent organizations, the Fédération des Églises Évangéliques Baptistes de France
(see http://www.eglises-baptistes.fr ) and the International Baptist Convention (see http://ibc-churches.org ).

Q: What are the types of Membership at EIC?
1. “Member”: Baptized believer in Jesus Christ & agreeing with Core Beliefs of EIC.
2. “Associate Member”: Believer in Jesus Christ & agreeing with Core Beliefs of EIC, but not wanting to be baptized/re-baptized due to reasons of conscience.

Q: I am not a current member of EIC. How do I become a Member?
1 -- If you share the core beliefs of EIC (See Summary of Basic Beliefs at http://www.eicparis.org/beliefs ) , agree with the guidelines laid out in the EIC Constitution, and . . .

2a -- ...have experienced God’s salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and declared that salvation through believer’s baptism, you are qualified to be a Member.
(or)
2b -- ...have experienced God’s salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, but were not baptized, or were baptized as an infant, and due to reasons of conscience do not want to be baptized or re-baptized, you may apply for Associate Member status.
(or)
2c -- ...desire to receive Jesus Christ as Savior and follow Him in believer’s baptism, after your baptism you qualify to be a Member.

3 -- After completing the membership class or membership interview with the Pastor and upon approval of the Church Council you will be granted Member or Associate Member status as applicable.

Q: Do I have to transfer my membership from my previous church?
No, membership at EIC does not require a letter from another church or termination of previous church membership.

Q: Why “Membership”? What is the purpose and responsibility of being a member?
Ephesians 2:19 says, “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.”
Being a member of the body of Christ, but not a part of a local body of believers, would be in contradiction to the biblical model of the church. Belonging to the family of God found at EIC brings responsibilities and benefits. Being a member of EIC means becoming a part of the work to which God has called our church. Members participate as the church, giving of their time, talents, and treasure, committing to the care of, and enjoying community with, their fellow members, and submitting to the authority God has established for congregational leadership. In short, members are an integral part of the body of Christ at EIC.

Q: Can I just attend EIC without becoming a member?
Absolutely. However, an important question is, “Can you be the Christian God wants you to be without being an integral part of His church?” That would be similar to trying to be a good soldier without joining an army. The decision is between you and God and should be based on God’s leading you. If you know He brought you to EIC to join and serve Him here, then join. If not, then continue to seek God’s guidance and know that you’re always welcomed and loved at EIC whether you join or not.

Q: Can I still vote in church General Assembly meetings if not a member?
No. Decisions on church matters must remain in the hands of its members. Associate Members are allowed to discuss issues but the vote remains solely with Members.

Q: Must I be a member to be a teacher or teacher’s assistant?
Generally speaking, yes. You need to be either a Member or Associate Member, since as a teacher you also serve as an example to the students in your class. Exceptions may be made for those teaching our younger children where matters of theology and ecclesiology are not as important as a caring presence sharing the love of Jesus. However, even in these classes, the selection of the teaching material remains in the hands of the program directors, who will be church members.

Q: Must I be a member to be on the church council or engage in other leadership activities?
Yes. Council Members and other Leadership positions are exemplars and decision makers. If you are going to make decisions regarding EIC’s ministry and direction you need to be members of the body.

Q: Am I required to give more time or money as a member?
As a member, you have a responsibility to give of your treasures, time and talents to the body of which you are a part. Whether this is less, the same or more is a matter of conscience and is between you and God.

Q: I come from a different denomination (tradition); do I have to become “Baptist” when I join EIC?
Baptists enjoy a 400-plus year heritage, especially in Europe. That heritage is continued through FEEBF, IBC and EIC. That heritage includes, but is not limited to the autonomy of the local church, priesthood of the believer and believer’s baptism. Believer’s baptism by immersion preserves the historical practice of EIC, our Baptist Heritage and scriptural integrity. EIC is a Baptist church, and membership in EIC makes one de facto a Baptist.

Q: I was baptized as an infant; do I need to be baptized again?
The New Testament teaches and demonstrates baptism as immersion of a believer in water. If you were baptized by immersion after you became a Christian (believer’s baptism), you don’t need to be baptized again. If you were baptized before you became a Christian (including infant baptism) or if you were baptized under the belief that you were cleansed or saved by the water of baptism, or you were baptized in a manner other than immersion, you are encouraged to pursue believer’s baptism as a matter of obedience. If you do not want to be re-baptized due to reasons of conscience, that is acceptable as long as this decision remains personal and does not become a disruptive issue within the church. Your status will be Associate Member.