Find community at Westside

Whether it’s attending an upcoming special event or going through our new member class, Westside 101, we want to help you feel right at home and become an integrated part of our congregation.
Two moms holding their kids and smiling
First step

Connection Point

New to the church and looking for ways to get plugged in? Connection Point is Atlanta Westside’s welcoming space for newcomers. Learn more about our church, meet some of our staff, and get to know other new folks.

Women sitting and listening at a women's retreat
Membership

Become a member

About membership

Most people think of membership as an empty formality, like joining a club. At Westside, we believe it’s impossible to follow the Bible’s teaching without it. In fact, the New Testament teaches that every believing Christian is already a member, or “body part” of the wider Body of Christ.

Formal church membership makes your relationship to a local body explicit, including commitments that you make to the church, and commitments that church leaders make to you.

Westside 101

If you’re interested in membership—or just curious about our church—attend Westside 101, which we offer regularly throughout the year. It is not a requirement for membership, but it will help you set healthy expectations if you do join.

How do I Join?

After Westside 101, the next step towards membership is an interview with two church leaders. During this conversation, we’ll make sure you understand and personally agree with our denomination’s membership vows along with Westside’s three “handshake vows.”

What about Baptism?

Baptism is God’s sign that a person is included among the people of God. As such, we baptize new believers who have never been baptized, as well as the children of believers who are raised in the church. Baptism is an act of obedience to Jesus’ command, but it does not guarantee anyone’s salvation.

Discover a welcoming christian community

Join us for meaningful worship services and
connect with others seeking a deeper faith.

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Our staff

Meet the Connect team

Get to know the dedicated individuals on the Connect team.

Josh Kim
Josh Kim
Pastor of Care
Care
Connect
Grow
Pastors
All
Lyn Cook
Lyn Cook
Director of Outreach and Mission
Serve
Connect
All
Clay Pilcher
Clay Pilcher
Hospitality + Events Coordinator
Serve
Connect
All
Valerie Palmer
Valerie Palmer
Administrator
Connect
Admin
All

Frequently asked questions

Find answers to common questions about our church services, beliefs, and membership.

What does it mean to be a member, and how can I join?

Formal church membership makes your relationship to a local body explicit, including commitments that you make to the church, and commitments that church leaders make to you. To read a fuller argument for membership, check out this article written by our senior pastor. Members don’t have to agree with every doctrinal position of our church. You just have to believe some basic truths of the Christian faith and agree to some basic commitments about being a member.

The first step toward becoming a member is attending the class Westside 101. Check out our events calendar for the next class offering. You'll learn of next steps toward becoming a member during that time. The class does not commit you to membership.

Is there someone I can reach out to help me figure out good ways to get connected?

Absolutely! If you're interested in Sunday serving opportunities, email Clay Pilcher. If you'd like to hear more about discipleship opportunities, reach out to Mamie Williams.

Do you have a Meals Ministry?

Westside's Meals Ministry is a great way to serve behind the scenes. Our Meals Ministry Team is dedicated to providing care and support to those in our community who need it most.

Whether it's welcoming a new baby, helping during an illness, or offering comfort during a difficult time, we assist with meals to bring a bit of relief and love. Serving behind the scenes in this way is a simple yet powerful way to show Christ's love to others. For more information, whether you're interested in serving, need meals or know someone who could use some help, please please reach out to Valerie Palmer and she will help get you connected.

What should I do if I need pastoral help or guidance?

If you’re looking for pastoral support or guidance, you can email Josh Kim, the Assistant Pastor and Director of Pastoral Care.

What should I do if I’m having a hard time connecting with others at church?

If you’re finding it tough to connect, joining a community group could be a great next step. Our groups are based on where you live, so you can easily connect with others in your neighborhood. These groups are all about doing life together, studying the Word, and supporting each other. We’d love to help you find a group that fits.

Also, check out our upcoming events—these are great opportunities to meet people and get involved.

Could you explain what your church believes and practices regarding baptism?

We believe baptism is God's sign that a person is included among the people of God. For more on baptism, check out this Baptism FAQ blog post, written by Walter Henegar.

What Groups does Atlanta Westside offer?

We have several opportunities to get plugged in, ranging from discipleship groups, serving groups, missions groups and more! For a list of opportunities, head over the Groups page.