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PBC is a group of people committed to live out the way of Jesus together in order to bring hope and justice to our neighbours and our world. Membership at PBC is a covenant commitment to partner with God in what He is doing in us and through us.

Membership is not essentially about what we can get, but about what we can give.

"Covenant is a biblical concept. In the Ancient Near East, covenant was a binding agreement in which covenant members had certain obligations to keep and expected certain benefits in return. What makes a covenant different from a simple business agreement is that a covenant is based on a meaningful relationship between the two parties. Examples of covenant include the covenants God made with all creation in the time of Noah, with Abram and his descendants, and eventually with the people of Israel at Mt. Sinai. To the prophets of the Bible, this covenant was a marriage between Yahweh and his people. Another example of covenant is the commitment between Jesus and people everywhere to follow him. We believe that to commit our lives to God, one another and the world in meaningful relationship is what it means to be the church." - Rob Bell

Membership in summary

o PBC is committed to serving and giving - it requires people of commitment and partnership.
o 'Membership', however, has lost some of its usefulness in our culture. One can be a member of the YMCA, the gym and a fan club, etc. Membership is often about discounts or priority bookings, not about a declaration of commitment
o Covenant - covenant is based on a meaningful relationship between the two parties.
o Membersip requires a personal faith in Jesus
o Membership requires you have the values and vision of PBC in your DNA and heart
o Membership means you are committing to regular attendance at corporate church on Sundays, in Small Groups, church meetings
o Membership means you are committing to giving time, talents and treasure to what God is doing in us and through in order to bring hope and justice to our neighbours and our world.

The Membership Course runs twice yearly for three consecutive Sundays, beginning at 4pm. The third Sunday afternoon is an interview with one of the leadership team. We ask you to be present at each of the three afternoons.   Your proposed membership is then put forward at the next available Church Meeting.  For more information, or to book your place, please click here and fill out the online form or call Jennifer in the Church Office on 01892825590.  Alternatively email .

 

News & Announcements

HOPE Pembury Churches Together Sais Mandi Masquerade Ball

30th January, 2012

HOPE Pembury Churches Together's year of fundraising for the flood torn Sais Mandi region continues with a Masquerade Ball on Saturday 18th February, being held at Pembury Village Hall from 7.30pm to 11pm. There will be live music, a curry banquet, other fundraising opportunities and great fun as well as a licensed bar. Tickets are fifteen pounds each and are available from the PBC Church Office on 01892 825590 or from St Peter's Pembury on 01892 824761. There is a limited number of tickets so please book your place as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Thanks: Blythswood Shoebox Appeal

23rd January, 2012

We have received a letter of thanks from Blythswood Shoebox Appeal and a little detail and photos of the handing out of shoeboxes, some of which you donated before Christmas to be taken into Eastern Europe and India. You can read it by clicking on the header then clicking the link in the article.

Pastor Dave Baxter's New Year Message

10th January, 2012

Pastor Dave Baxter welcomed in the new year in the PBC News with a story of Hans Nielsen Hauge. That touch of God's hand and answer to prayer was the start of Hauge's God-driven mission to the whole of the Norwegian people. It was a time when Norwegians were emigrating to America and consequently, Hauge's teaching on repentance and salvation went over to the US with the Lutherans. What will God do in our lives this year? What are we praying for? Click on the header for the story and our Pastor's welcome in full. Happy New Year!