I stirred up some discussion recently by asking How important is church membership? And why?
Here were some of the responses:
“Church membership unites a person with a body of believers. It gives the individual the support and encouragement they need to pursue their Christian lives. It also provides a place of belonging, worship, and service to the Lord. The Bible says we are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together.”
“Membership is a person's commitment to a particular church. I would agree with Rachel that nowhere in Scripture does it say we need documentation that we belong to a church. However, I do believe it's something that each person in a church needs to think about and pursue. Most churches require membership for important reasons. They require membership for those desiring to teach, the privilege to vote on church policies and decisions, and for other leadership roles. Some churches even require members to hold to particular standards in regards to their membership. This helps when it comes to the spiritual growth of the individual as well as discipline issues. I see membership as a positive thing. It's like the individual is saying, "I commit myself to this church and their standards, beliefs and direction." And the church is saying, "We commit to you that we will serve you through our standards, beliefs and direction." Unfortunately, membership is looked more like a social status by the individual and a means to access numbers by the church.”
“It's a commitment. There's nothing that says you can't be committed to a church without actually being a member; we've had folks in our church serve faithfully for years without becoming official members of the church. But when you're not a member, it's that much easier to walk away if things get tough. It's kind of like a marriage. When you're just dating, or even engaged, you still have that 'out' if you want to take it. Once you're married, you've joined a family. You've made a commitment to that person that you will stick with them. Christians should make the same commitment to their church family. It's easy to step away from people when the going gets rough, but it's a lot harder to back out on your brother or sister. And the relationship is reciprocal. In a church family, your brothers and sisters back you up just like you should back them up. And you demonstrate that commitment to faithfulness by publicly throwing in your lot with the body of Christ.”
“If you're a Christian, and you're in a church every week, but you won't commit, there's something wrong with that picture. If you only consume and never serve, that's parasitic behavior and not healthy at all.
I know that's harsh language and I make no apology for it. I believe Paul would agree based on Hebrews 5:12...
‘For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.’”
Pretty strong words, indeed!
While the Bible does not command church membership, it does appear that after salvation the early Christians “joined” a local church where they were faithful and active.
Over the weekend, my friend shared this following blog with me that gives a good explanation on why Church membership is important. Please check it out:
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