Answers
Church membership at HWEC...
Membership of Hounslow West Evangelical Church is open to all Bible believing Christians, upon profession of personal, saving faith in Jesus Christ.
Those seeking membership are encouraged to profess their faith openly in the act of being baptised. There are different views held within the church on the validity of infant baptism, and a prospective member, baptised as an infant, who regards that as a valid baptism will not be refused membership on those grounds. Anyone who does not understand the issues relating to infant baptism as opposed to believer's baptism, or is unsure whether their infant baptism "counts" should discuss the matter with the pastor or an elder.
Membership candidates are interviewed by the pastor and elders, and their names are brought to a meeting of existing church members for approval or rejection. If a candidate professes faith and their daily life does not contradict their profession, and they are willing to commit themselves to the church - in attendance, prayerful concern for the work of the church, prayerful concern for the other members and their needs, and in helping to meet the material needs of the church, and are willing to submit to church discipline - then they should be accepted into membership.
Members and prospective members should be in agreement with the statements contained within the basis of faith. If they do not understand them fully, then they should strive to do so - within their own abilities and with God's help. However, inability to understand the Basis fully should not in itself be a bar to membership, so long as a candidate is not opposed to any of them.