Recap of Members' Meeting (13 July 2025)
We held our Members’ Meeting on 13 July 2025. At this meeting, we welcomed new members, heard of updates about our members and learnt about other updates in our church life.
Introduction and Opening Prayer
Elder Toshi opened the meeting and led all members in prayer to commit this meeting to God.
Membership Matters
Pastor Jeremy led the church through some membership matters, and began by taking and answering some questions that members might have about this process of voting to receive and remove members. We have represented it in the form of an FAQ here:
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Pastor Jeremy explained that Jesus gives the church the authority and responsibility of pursuing Christians who sin (Matt 18:15-20). Although Jesus had 12 apostles, he did not give them sole authority over the membership of his church. He also did not say that it is the sole responsibility of the pastors or staff to pursue unrepentant sinners. Instead, Jesus says, “Tell it to the church.” And if the unrepentant sinner refuses to listen even to the church, then the church is to treat him as a Gentile and a tax collector.
The Bible is far from silent on how involved the church should be in receiving and removing members. As Matthew 18:18-20 shows us, we are to take church membership seriously because Jesus has given the church great authority – the authority to receive and remove members. He himself is with us as we carry out this important role.
This is why we call for members to vote in new members and remove members who are leaving. The members’ vote is a reflection of the authority and responsibility Jesus has given to us, the church.
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Your vote matters because Jesus gave you the authority and responsibility of being involved in membership matters. Exercising your vote is doing the work that Jesus has given you. You are showing Jesus that you treasure His church. When you vote, you are also expressing your commitment to care for His church.
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Prayerfully, in accordance with the Scriptures, our church’s Statement of Faith, Member’s Covenant, with the guidance of church elders, and with faith in God.
Let us consider the process of receiving new members. Since the church is the body of Christ and God’s witness in this world, we are to first ensure that every prospective member is a genuine Christian who understands the gospel and is trusting in Jesus alone for salvation.
Secondly, we are to discern that the prospective member is committed to following Jesus by being obedient to his commands like being baptized as a believer, repenting of sin and bearing fruit.
Thirdly, we discern if the prospective member is able to join us on mission by their agreement to abide by our Statement of Faith and Member’s Covenant.
This is practically done by trusting the elders to have taught the prospective members our understanding and practice of church, trusting our elders to have had a meet up to get to know the prospective member, finding out about their profession of faith for ourselves by reading their testimony or talking to them before the meeting, and hearing the recommendation of the elders at a member’s meeting.
In this manner, our vote will be meaningful and pleasing to God.
Our “yes vote” acknowledges God’s saving work in their life, welcomes them to share the authority and responsibility we have as a congregation, and expresses our commitment to build one another up in the faith.
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Members should do so when the recommendation is contrary to Scripture or the Statement of Faith. If you think that the elders lack information, you can recommend that the motion be tabled so that further discussion and fact finding can take place.
Members, if you have more questions or would like to find out more, there will be an EQUIP session on 24 August titled, “Who’s in Charge of the Church?” See you there!
Members coming in
Pastor Jeremy introduced the three candidates who have all attended a Church Matters class to understand what our church believes and how we live out the faith. They have also chatted with an elder and their conversion testimonies have been shared with members. He invited the elders that have met with them to introduce them briefly. Members were also given a chance to ask questions, before affirming their membership.
We welcomed Low Pui Ngai (by transfer), Bennett Chiam and Tymothy Lim (both pending baptism on 20 July).
Pastor Jeremy also led GBC members to affirm that these brothers have, along with us, repented of their sins and believed in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. The members too, agreed to receive them as fellow members of Grace Baptist Church, and therefore commit to walk with them in Christlike love and unity, for our mutual encouragement and for building up the body of Christ.
Following that, the entire membership – including these three brothers whom we just welcomed in – recited the Members’ Covenant together.
Pastor Jeremy also encouraged all members to sign up to request for a copy of the Membership Directory and all subsequent updates. This is a great way to get to know others in the body and to pray for each other. Members can sign up here, or access it via the “For Members” page on our website.
Members transferring out
Pastor Jeremy also shared about four members who are attending and seeking to join other churches. Members were given a chance to ask questions before voting.
Members who have turned away
The pastors also shared about some members who have turned away. The pastors explained the situation briefly, and also why it was being presented to the church at the meeting. There was also time given to members to ask questions or update the elders if they knew anything about these members.
In one instance, it was a follow up from the previous Members’ Meeting in May. As these members no longer affirm certain fundamental doctrines in our Statement of Faith and are unable to uphold our members' covenant, the elders recommended that the church remove them from membership, and members voted on this.
Our desire is to see them return to the faith and be a part of a gospel-believing church. Our goal is redemptive and restorative. Therefore, we continue to welcome them to attend our worship services, where they can hear the preaching of God's word. Pastor Eugene led the church in prayer at the end of this section, and encouraged the church to continue reaching out to these members.
Due to the sensitive nature of this matter, we will not be publishing the names here. Members, if you have any questions, please speak with any of the elders.
Elder Associates
Next, Elder Toshi introduced three men whom the elders have invited to join as Elder Associates for the next 9-10 months. They are Chong Kang Wei, Jimmy Tan, and Cory Zimmerman. These men are already serving in various ministries in the church. As Elder Associates, they will learn about what it means to shepherd and be an elder. This will take the form of reading, shadowing and observing the elders e.g. joining the fortnightly meetings. The goal is to get to know the church and for the church to get to know them too. In this process, both the elders and these individuals can also discern their calling to be elders of the church.
Elder Toshi invited these men to share a bit about themselves and their prayer requests. You can find out more about them here:
Ministry Updates
Church Camp
Pastor Thian Chye shared about our recent church camp. We thank God for the time that we could spend together, and it was enjoyable, despite some small hiccups along the way. Read more here.
He also shared about a new initiative to be launched soon – a WhatsApp community where members can form groups to meet on an informal basis. Those who were at the church camp might be familiar with this, as members created different interest groups. More details will follow soon!
Opportunities to serve
Nicholas, our Ministry Worker for Youth Ministry, shared about the needs in this ministry. They are looking for men and women to help lead the youths, although there is a more urgent need to find women to help with the female youths at the moment. Learn more about the Youth Ministry on our website and if you are interested, speak with Nick (nicholas@gracebaptistchurch.sg).
The Member Care ministry is also looking for help to provide transport, housing and also relieve caregivers when they need help. As a church, it was encouraging to see different parts of the body come together at the church camp and we pray that God will continue to work in us even when life has settled back into a routine. Contact Hewlett – our deacon of Member Care (membercare@gracebaptistchurch.sg) – if you are interested and able to help!
Trainees
Pastor Eugene also introduced our new batch of trainees and invited them to share their prayer requests. They are Nicholas Chuan and his wife, Dinnie Ee, Mercia Tan, Chng Eng Ching and Han Kiat who is from Leng Kwang Baptist Church.
Dinnie: For greater humility and a tender heart towards church leaders and members.
Eng Ching: That she will learn what church workers do and discern God’s leading in her life and future plans.
Han Kiat: To trust in God and discern as he considers seminary.
Mercia: That she will listen and obey the Word and learn more about God’s word through this traineeship.
Nicholas: To rely on God as he joins the traineeship on top of work at SIT’s Christian Fellowship.
They share a bit more about themselves here and we encourage members to get to know them when you see them around on Sundays and at other times of the week:
Update on Ryan
Pastor Eugene also updated the church that they are in the process of preparing the documents required for his work pass application, and will submit it soon. Let us continue to keep the process in prayer, and also remember Ryan and his family as they prepare to move.
Weekender
We will be holding a Weekender for pastors, elders and those looking to be pastors or elders from other churches. This year, we have about 90 participants, 20 of whom are from Singapore and the rest are from overseas. There are many ways for members to help out – to host, to support logistics etc. Learn more about the various opportunities and sign up here. You can also speak to Joshua (joshua@gracebaptistchurch.sg).
Missions
Elder Jonathan updated the church about Hannah’s plans. Hannah has been on the Missions Traineeship for the past few months, and she is looking to begin the second half of the traineeship, which involves an overseas attachment. She will be heading to a nearby Southeast Asian country for the next 5 months and will be working with missionaries there. At this meeting, she shared what she planned to do and ways the church can continue to keep her in prayer.
Finance Update
Elder Beh provided an update about our finances for the first half of 2025. Some key points to note are:
While our expenses are $190K below what is budgeted so far we expect expenses to increase in the second half due to onboarding of our new pastor, and more ministry expenses during second half of the year.
Our giving is at $310K below budget resulting in a operational shortfall of $120K in our actual giving against our expenses.
This was presented so that members are aware of the current financials of the church. We thank God for the members’ faithfulness in giving, and as a church we continue to trust God to provide. If you have more questions, feel free to speak to the elders.
Looking Ahead
Growing in the Word
We will be continuing in the book of Ecclesiastes from now to the end of August. Check out the website for the sermon with the transcript, or Spotify.
EQUIP will be running the following series in July and August
Bible (Jul 6, 20, 27, Aug 3, 24, 31)
Work (Jul 6, 20)
Walking with One Another for Guidance (Jul 27, Aug 3)
Who’s in Charge of the Church? (Aug 24)
Aging (Aug 31)
Key Events
The elders also took the time to highlight some key events in our church’s life together.
GBC’s 66th Anniversary Service on 10 August at 10 am. The Nursery and Children’s Sunday School will run as usual. Light refreshments will be available after the service, but note that there will be no parking on Level 2.
Weekender (11-14 Sep)
Small Group Prayer and Closing Prayer
Members were given the chance to pray in pairs to commit all these things to the Lord. There are many things to thank God for, and also to continue trusting and depending on God for. Pastor Thian Chye brought this meeting to a close thereafter.