Believing that God has led me to receive his Son Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord by the leading of the Holy Spirit, and having testified of this work of God and my saving faith by being baptized by water, I do now join with other believers of like experience and testimony to affirm this membership covenant of the local fellowship known as Oaks Bible Church of Goleta / Santa Barbara.

It is my commitment and desire to KNOW God more fully. Just as the apostle Paul counted knowing Christ as a surpassing value (Philippians 3:8), so I will strive to know Christ above all else. I will seek to know God more in the intimacy of worship, prayer and meditation on His person and Word. I will seek to know Him more in my loving fellowship with other members and friends of this local body of believers. I will seek to know Him more in my regular observance of Holy Communion. I will seek to know Him more in my receiving of his forgiveness, cleansing and giving of righteousness in regular confession of my sins (1 John 1:9). I will seek to know Him more as I strive to exemplify His godly words, conduct and integrity in all areas of my life.

It is my commitment and desire to GROW in respect to my salvation. Just as the apostle Peter knew the importance of reading and studying the Word of God, the Bible, to grow in respect to salvation (1 Peter 2:2), so I covenant to personally read and study my Bible that I may grow spiritually. I will also strive to mature in my faith, growing up in all aspects of Him, conforming to the image of Christ that God intends for me (Ephesians 4:15; Romans 8:29). Therefore I will strive to esteem one another (Philippians 2:3), build up the church with my willing participation (Ephesians 4:16), purposefully and cheerfully support the church with my financial contributions (2 Corinthians 9:6-7), encourage and stimulate one another toward Christian maturity (Hebrews 10:24-25), support, assist and pray for the leadership of the church (Hebrews 13:17-18), seek to care for the needs of each other (Galatians 6:2,10) and walk in the purity of the Light as He is in the light so that I might truly fellowship with other members of Christ's body, the Church (1 John 1:7).

It is my commitment and desire to GO forth for God in the sharing of His love and gospel message. I will teach God's Word in my family and to others under my care (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). I will pass on God's good news of salvation in word and deed to my personal community of acquaintances (Acts 1:8). I will seek to be a part of the Great Commission to win the world for Christ as I minister in my community and beyond to support God's work in the world; and I will go, as God leads and enables me, to my family, neighborhood, community and world as God's ambassador of love and grace (Matthew 28:19).

I do understand that as I verbally affirm this Membership Covenant and accompanying Oaks Bible Church Statement of Faith as aligning with my personal beliefs and desires before a pastor/elder or Council member of Oaks Bible I am a full member of Oaks Bible Church of Goleta / Santa Barbara.

Council Meeting Minutes; 12 August 2005