How to Join KIBC

Printable Decision Card / Application for Membership

People frequently ask about joining Kowloon International Baptist Church, Kowloon Tong. The church provides several ways to identify with the church family.

Profession of Faith and Believer's Baptism

Every member in KIBC has made a profession (spoken commitment to Christ) of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and has been baptized by immersion. People making a profession of faith express their belief that Jesus Christ is God Incarnate (God embodied in human form) and commit to follow him as Lord and master.

Jesus said, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

The Bible says, "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." Romans 10:9, 10

A profession of faith, or commitment to Christ, can be made by praying a prayer similar to this prayer:

"God, I have lived my own way and missed the mark of your best for my life. Forgive me for my self-centeredness as well as my selfish words and deeds. Cleanse me from my wrongdoing (sin). I believe Jesus is the Lord of life and that he lived, died, and rose from the grave. I commit myself to following his leadership in every area of my life. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen."

After a person prays this prayer, he/she prepares to identify with Jesus Christ through believer's baptism.

The Bible says, "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." Romans 6:4

People requesting baptism meet with the pastor to discuss the purpose and meaning of baptism as well as to preview the baptism procedures. All baptisms are held in public services. A candidate who wishes to make his/her profession of faith known and to follow Christ in baptism checks (ticks) this section on the Decision Card.

Request for Believer's Baptism

A believer is a person who believes and accepts Jesus Christ as the Son of God and has made a profession of faith (commitment to Christ). People may have made a profession of faith at another time in their lives. Some have been baptized by a manner of baptism other than immersion in water. Some were baptized before they made a profession of faith. Baptists follow the practice of baptism by immersion after a person has prayed to commit his/her life to Jesus Christ by praying a prayer similar to the one above People wanting to join the church by believer's baptism make the request known on the Decision Card. Then they follow a process similar to what new believers follow with regard to baptism.

Transfer of Letter

When a person unites with a Baptist church his/her membership is called a "church letter." Many years ago when people moved from one city to another they carried their church letter with them to the new city and new church. In recent years the term "church letter" has referred to the correspondence the new church has with the former church. One requesting to join by "transfer of letter" fills out the Decision Card and lists the name of the church where his/her membership is. One also lists the city, state, province, and/or country. If one knows the church address, he/she writes it on the membership application. If not, the church office can acquire the needed address. The church office corresponds with the other church to make them aware of the transfer of letter.

Statement of Immersion and Church Membership

Some people have been baptized by immersion in a Baptist church following a profession of faith, and the records have been lost. Some people have been baptized by immersion in a non-Baptist church following a profession of faith. One joins KIBC by statement when he/she says he/she was baptized by immersion after making a profession of faith at an earlier time in his/her life.

Request for Associate Status

Some people are members of Baptist churches in other parts of the world. Their stay in Hong Kong appears to be for a limited time. They desire to identify with KIBC while in Hong Kong and yet retain membership in their home churches (not in Hong Kong). They check the request for Associate Status on the Decision Card. They are welcomed into the fellowship of the church but are not voting members.

Request for Watchcare Status

People requesting Watchcare Status are non-Baptists who are members of an evangelical church in another part of the world. They want to identify with KIBC while retaining membership in their home church (not Baptist, not in Hong Kong). They check the request for Watchcare Status on the Decision Card and are not voting members.

Decision Card

The Decision Card may be found on a slip of paper in the bulletin or in card form. It will say, "Decision Card / Application for Membership." Some form of the Decision Card is usually found in the church bulletin on Sundays. At the end of the pastor's sermon a hymn is sung by the congregation. People desiring to make one of the above stated decisions may complete the Decision Card and bring it to the front as the congregation sings. The pastor will greet these people and present their decisions to the church.

Some people may prefer to place their Decision Card in the church offering bag. This is acceptable and a minister will contact them later to discuss this decision.

Some people may prefer to hand their Decision Card to the pastor as they exit the church.

Some people may choose to complete a Decision Card and visit with the pastor by appointment to express their decision.