membership
Qualification: To qualify for membership in this church, a person must be a believer in Jesus Christ, one who gives evidence of regeneration, one who has been baptized by immersion in obedience to Christ, following his or her regeneration, and who wholeheartedly believers in the Christian faith as revealed in the Bible. Each member must agree to submit to the teaching of scripture as expressed in the “Articles of Faith”: and must promise to keep the commitment expressed in the “Church Covenant.” The Pastor and church shall be responsible for determining each person’s qualifications for membership.
Candidacy: Any person may offer him or herself as a candidate for membership in this church; all such candidates shall be presented to the church for affirmation at any regular worship service for membership in any of the following ways:
- By profession of faith and baptism according to the policies of the church,
- By the promise of a letter from another Baptist church or of another denomination practicing believers of baptism,
- By statement of acceptance of Christ as Personal Savior and who has experienced baptism by immersion in a church of like faith and order or upon satisfying evidence of prior conversion.
- In case of a physical disability and by a specific two-thirds vote of the voting members present baptism may be some means other than immersion.
If not ready for membership, any person or guardian may request self or children to be placed under the watch care of this church and be identified with the church but are not yet ready to become a member.
ORIGINAL MEMBERSHIP: The first eight (8) members were as follows:
- Rev. Will H. Stockard. Pastor, and Founder
- First Lady Jessie Mae Stockard
- Albernice Stockard
- Jose Stockard
- Rev. J.W. Philips
- Henderson Hill
- Willie Hill
- Sadie Hill
General Not-for-Profit Corp Act of Illinois: Mt. Zion was legitimately established under Certificate #2183 as provided by the General Nat-Far-Profit Corporation Act of Illinois. with the Secretary of State Paul Powell, January 5, 1956. under registered address, 4507 S. Indiana. – Chicago. IL The first Board of Direct Corporation officers were five (5) whose names were as follows:
- Rev. Will H. Stockard – Founder/ President
- Henderson Hill. Deacon
- Willie Hill. Deacon
- Ernest Pratt Deacon
- Jeannie Dunn. Deacon