A. Definition of Membership

Members of the Sandoval Community Church (forwardly referred to as SCC) are those

who recognize that the SCC is where God has placed them in order to express their

commitment to Him as His followers in the context of Christian family and community.

The SCC is a Non-Denominational, Bible believing Church.

 

​

B. Becoming a Member

The SCC recognizes multiple avenues in becoming a member.

​

1.  The SCC graciously accepts the thought, that without those individuals who willingly

departed from the Charge of the Sandoval-Boulder United Methodist Church, that the

SCC may have never come into existence.  Therefore, the SCC will extend to those

individuals the opportunity to become Charter Members of the SCC.  Individuals who

willingly departed from the above mentioned Charge and who have attended the SCC

between the dates of December 22, 2024 and December 21, 2025, shall be extended

an offer to become Charter Members.  These individuals will be contacted by an SCC

Board of Directors member and simply questioned if they are willing to accept their

Charter Membership.  Upon their verbal acceptance, they will become Charter

Members of the SCC.  The SCC recognizes that these individuals have the right not

to accept Charter Membership.

 

2.  Profession of Faith (Romans 10:9-10, Matthew 10:32)

 

3.  An individual may become a member of the SCC through transferring membership,

this requires documentation from the Church the individual is transferring from.  Upon

receipt of this documentation, the Board of Directors, along with guidance from the Pastor,

will determine the acceptance of the request.

 

4.  Youth…The SCC recognizes the Church needs youth in order to grow and sustain.

Therefore, the SCC will establish a process in which youth (ages 10-17) may undergo, that

will result in obtaining membership into the SCC.  This process shall be developed by the

Pastor, with support of the Board of Directors and shall consist of Bible education and this

process will be overseen by a Mentor.  At the conclusion of this educational process with the

Mentor, the Mentor shall present the youth to the Pastor for final interview of membership.

Baptism is not a requirement of becoming a member of the SCC, however, it is strongly

encouraged.

 

5.  Baptism…A new member may request to be baptized, but baptism is not a requirement

of becoming a member of the SCC.  However, it is strongly encouraged.

 

​

C. Expectations of Members

Members of the SCC should support the Church by their prayers, their service, gifts

and talents.

 

 

D. Rights of Members

Members of the SCC shall have the opportunity to assist in Church making decisions, hold

leadership positions, receive Pastoral care and support, be able to voice concerns

respectfully. 

 

 

E. Membership Privacy

The SCC shall diligently keep private all records concerning polity, doctrine, counseling and

information on members in fellowship with the Church.  The SCC will not disclose any records

that may compromise information about a member's attendance, membership status, or

financial information.

 

 

F. Inactive Member

An SCC member shall be determined inactive by the Board of Directors following a period

of three years of being absent from all SCC services/activities.  An inactive member

may be reinstated by submitting a written request to the Board of Directors.  The Board

of Directors with guidance from the Pastor will make the final determination of reinstatement.

 

​

G. Termination of Membership

Membership of the SCC may be terminated by any of the following conditions:

 

1.  By member's request

 

2.  By transfer of membership

 

3.  By determination of the Board of Directors due to the member's failure

to meet the expectations of membership of the SCC (Matthew 18:15-17).

 

4.  By death

​

​

Holy Communion

A. Open Communion is practiced at the Sandoval Community Church.  Communion is offered

to all those who profess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior regardless of any affiliation

they may or may not have with the SCC.  We encourage parents and/or guardians to

oversee their child's/children's partaking of the Communion elements.  The SCC will offer

Communion monthly (typically the first Sunday of the month) and also during special

services when deemed appropriate. 

​

(Matthew 26:26-28, 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, 1 Corinthians 11:28-29).

 

 

Baptism

A. Following a profession of faith, an individual may be Baptized, preferably during a regular

worship service, as deemed appropriate by the Pastor and/or the Associate Pastor.  Baptism

at the SCC will be by immersion, except in rare instances when the individual is unable to be

immersed due to mental or physical reasons.  In these rare instances, other modes of

Baptism such as Affusion or Aspersion may be used.  (Matthew 3:16, Romans 6:2-4,

Colossians 2:12)

 

 

Infant/Child/Children Dedication

A. The purpose of Infant/Child/Children Dedication is to publicly commit both the infant/

child/children and the parents to God, acknowledging that a child is a gift from God, and

the parents will raise the infant/child/children according to biblical principles.

 

B. Parents/guardians must agree to raise the infant/child/children in a Christian home and

encourage regular participation in church life.  Infant/Child/Children Dedication will be

scheduled during a regular worship service.  Requests for dedication must be made four

weeks in advance, when possible, to allow for preparation.  During the dedication

service, the parents will be asked to affirm their faith in God and commitment to follow

Jesus Christ and their intent to raise the infant/child/children in the teachings of the

Holy Bible.  The congregation will be invited to commit to supporting the family through

prayers, fellowship and encouragement.

 

C. Infant/Child/Children Dedication is not a baptism and does not impart salvation.  It is

a symbolic act of commitment and blessing, recognizing God's sovereignty over the

infant's/child's/children's life.

 

D. The church will maintain a record of all dedications and may provide a certificate to the

family as a keepsake.

 

(Proverbs 22:6, 3 John 1:4, Luke 2:22, Colossians 1:9)