Throughout the New Testament, God uses the picture of a physical body to help us understand the spiritual body of Christ the church. The covenantal nature of church membership is very precious to God, and when we covenant with other believers we are imitating God. Having chosen Christ, a Christian has no choice but to choose to join a church. The First Corinthian letter is Pauls rebuke of the church members of Corinth for their lack of unity and for their abundance of carnality. The world needs to know where you stand. Dont miss these 10 surprising benefits of going to church and why you should make it a habit. Its an announcement made in the pressroom of Christs kingdom. People need membership commitment because they need to be connected to a Christian community. The king has subjects and his kingdom has a community together where we function as Gods people. But church membership isnt about status, its about transformation, commitment, and obedience to King Jesus. We call them sinners.. It is the only way we discover what it truly means to be a Christ-follower. A key part of his teaching is to "tell it to the church" when other avenues of resolution fail. It enables church discipline. Trials and persecution may come, but your only words are, I am with Jesus.. Therefore, treat every member in your church as God does. All throughout the New Testament we see commands to care for one another: Bear one anothers burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. In 2003 he received a Doctorate of Ministry Degree from Midwest Theological Seminary in Sikeston, Missouri. The church is its members. Hebrews 13:17 says, "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account." Christians today should expect and desire the same. It builds a witness and invites the nations. At the beginning of first grade the child was struggling to write a complete sentence. In our world, most commitments are optional. Membership is simply our cultures method of identifying with a particular group of believers with like-minded theology, who meet regularly and work together to carry out Gods commands and pursue His kingdom purposes. - An equipped saint grows in his knowledge of Christ. Bill has served as pastor of churches in Illinois, California, and Texas along with traveling to foreign countries to preach and teach God's Word. He is married to Kristen and they have one daughter and one son. But how do you know who belongs to the household of faith? Our gifting then helps us carry out Gods purpose (1 Cor. That's the point of Paul's discussion about the church in 1 Corinthians 12:21 - "The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you,' nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.'" Here at UPC, a person must make five vows in order to become a member. It enables you to fulfill your biblical responsibilities to Christs body (for example, see Eph. They were faithful in their tithes and attendance but felt they didnt need to be members. Hes also amazed that he has a wonderful wife, Shannon, and two young daughters, Emma and Hannah. 6 Reasons Why Membership Matters 1. Our work is possible by the generosity of our readers. Membership helps you to know which Christians on planet Earth you are specifically responsible to love, serve, warn, and encourage. So Scripture teaches that we can be a part of the body, and we can be apart from the body. The Christian life in the New Testament is church life. of Paul refers to the eyes, ears, hands, and feet of a body to illustrate the value of each member in their church. It takes courage to make those promises, and even more courage to stick to them. God makes us a part of his larger family when we are born again. 2. Perhaps you're confused by the plethora of churches and denominations out there and can't decide which one to settle on. The Christian life in the New Testament is church life. Some are convinced membership isnt biblical because the word membership isnt used in the New Testament. God intends for every Christian to be a member in a local church of believers. Your email address will not be published. As individuals enter into this aspect of our Christian life, the Holy Spirit will open to us some amazing new concepts of who we are in Christ Jesus. Rise of the nones. There is a significant increase in the numbers of people who have no religious affiliation. Give Today. Brad Wetherell serves as the pastor of The Orchards Arlington Heights campus. - An equipped saint strives to attain unity of the faith. The vast majority of the New Testaments commands were written to communities and could only be fulfilled by communities. Joe Finley is pastor of Living Hope Church, Puyallup, WA. We cannot overstate the level of Christs commitment to the church. Encouragement is one of the most powerful and contagious forces in the church. In reconciling both Jews and Gentiles to Himself, God formed a new body a spiritual group of redeemed humans, united by the Spirit of God and led by the Head, Christ. The better question to ask ourselves is, Are we fully committed to live in covenant with other believers, actively pursue our own spiritual growth and the growth of the body of Christ, and live sanctified, gospel-centered lives that proclaim our allegiance to the Head, Jesus Christ? Perhaps that is the kind of membership better designed to proclaim Christ to the world. 4:10-11 ). What Is Biblical Discipline, and How Can We Grow This Virtue? We are given six specific results of a saint who is properly equipped. Lets start with the facts: churches are full of selfish, unkind, unmerciful, impure, immoral, gossipy, angry, controlling, dishonest, envious, power-hungry people. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. (Hebrews 10:2425, emphasis added). Not only should we be members of the body, each of us should also be able to express the value of membership. Church membership can help make that statement. As author Walter Henegar puts it, "The Church is the Bride of Christ. Much in the same way, membership is your ID tag. Scripturally, there is no requirement for signing a card or attending a class to be part of a local church; likewise, there is no command against encouraging believers who commit to your church to do so in order to encourage participation and accountability within the body. This process helps identify (not infallibly of course) false professions from true. If building new churches is in the job description for churches to do, as dictated by God, should any Christian be saying that churches are unimportant today? A few weeks ago, a friend gently warned me that words were getting sharp and careless. This commitment provides opportunity for your spiritual family to support, help, pray, encourage you in your walk with the Lord, and vice versa. Jesus said, I will build my church (Matt 16:18). 3:13). It helps you face lifes problems by providing the support and encouragement of other Christians and shows your commitment to them as well. It was to the church of God which is at Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:2). Membership matters for pastors. Related articles4 Steps to Finding a Great Church Home4 Signs It Is Time to Leave a ChurchWhat Is a Non-Denominational Church, and Is It Right for You? "We like our church just the way it is now." When you are an encourager, you can change the mood of just about everyone around you. Thousands of professing Christians are on the roll of no local church. Ephesians 2:11-16 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh who are called Uncircumcision by the so-called Circumcision, which is performed in the flesh by human hands remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. Online Orders Only. It occurs in reference to being a member of the household ( Matthew 10:25, 36; Luke 12:52 ), a member of the Council ( Mark 15:43 ), parts of your physical body ( Romans 6:13, 19 ), carnal self ( Romans 7:5, 23; Colossians Theyre saying, We see the grace of God in Jesus Christ at work in you, and that will increase your assurance. Not just any body, but the body of Jesus. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It may be unimportant to you because you do not see its purpose. The doctrine of the universal, invisible church is an invention of men. When a first-grader becomes a second-grader, it is amazing how much that child develops intellectually, physically, and emotionally. Fifth, invite others to church. If one hops from church to church, or never joins a church, how will he or she obey this verse? I was won to Christ through a para-church ministry. The phrase he uses to describe the individual connectedness is we are members of the body.. Its easy to think youve got it all together if youre not in community. When we take the formal step of belonging to a church in membership, we affirm the truth that we belong to Christ and his people, and we dedicate ourselves to caring for the people Jesus loves, which brings him great honor. I was failing God, I was failing the church that God wanted me in, and I was failing myself. This article is part of the 10 Things You Should Know series. Jesus died for the church, and he invites you to be part of it (Eph. (1 Peter 5:2) This verse calls pastors to shepherd their flock.. All believers are in the family of God. 5:25). (Hebrews 10:2425, emphasis added). A kingdom has a king. Ive heard these questions. Here are 8 reasons to consider becoming a church member. Cokesbury uses a variety of methods for ground shipping. How does the universal church, the spiritual body of Christ, accomplish its purpose? Many Christians are like I was when I began my Christian life. Its how to follow Christian leaders. Have you taken this important step of demonstrating Christ-like commitment to his people? God has called us to shepherd the flock among us. Its a passport. Wanting to stay small. Member and Membership. To many, church membership and attendance has become optional since the COVID-19 pandemic hit our country. 4:11-16; 25-32). He doesnt simply love the idea of a church and identify with the church in the abstract. Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Christians today should expect and desire the same. You can follow him onTwitter. Bill received Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord in October of 1976 and began full time ministry in 1987. It is God's desire that we individually discover our full potential, and develop spiritually in order to effectively fulfill the ministry to which God has called us to. Do you want to be a part of Gods world-shaping, world-changing, world-reaching program? It places an individual Christians claim to obey and follow Jesus into a real-life setting where authority is actually exercised over us (see John 14:15; 1 John 2:19; 4:20-21). Its about putting on, embodying, living out, and making concrete our membership in Christs universal body. But too often we live as if we are separated. Who built the church of God? We ask you to complete Discovery Weekend in order to become a member of UPC. burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Do you want to use and develop the gifts Gods given you? That sounds crushing! This tag identified who I was. The original twelve apostles established the New Testament church. Let's be people who model commitment and thus show the world that we are Christians (John 13:35). 10:24-25). Or if youre not in community long term. There is no such thing as perfect church. But because the church is not the family of God, as the universal, invisible church doctrine suggests, not all believers are in a local church of God. God has a particular local church home for you! That is a tragic thing. WebHelping the people in your church steward their resources is an important part of your call in their life. Here are 8 reasons to consider becoming a church member. We are expected to contribute with all of the resources God has given us, not only our tithes and offerings, but also our time and talents. Beyond denominations, church buildings, theology, liturgy, and man-made traditions, the body of Christ is a spiritual entity. Have you ever asked yourself or heard someone else ask, Does God have a particular local church home for me? I have, and here are 10 of the most important reasons for considering such a question. Sheila Alewine Author September 21, 2021 I believe that every Christian ought to be joined to some visible church; that is his plain duty, according to the Scriptures. Jesus died for the church. Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers are gifted by the Spirit to carry out their ministry. The question to ask yourself as a Christian is this: Am I obeying God by participating as a member in a local church body of believers?. We call them sinners. You are one of them. 12:26; 1 John 3:16). The Twelve Disciplines of Christmas (Part 2). What Is a Non-Denominational Church, and Is It Right for You? The problem is discouragement is an even more powerful and infectious force. Fill in your name and email below to receive the eBook shortly. Since his call to ministry, Jonathan has earned a master of divinity from Southern Seminary and a Ph.D. in Ecclesiology from the University of Wales. 1. But it enables us to grow and become spiritually mature in Christ. Why? First, in many churches, members have rights to vote on decisions made in the church. Without it, youll be blind to your shortcomings, and those shortcomings will strengthen their grip on your life. Ephesians 4:11-16 And He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. One of the most significant benefits of church membership is the experience of being a part of something larger than yourself. It is almost understood that Christians and churches should be separated. 12. Its about putting on, embodying, living out, and making concrete our membership in Christs universal body. Since Christians have the same DNA, members of Gods very own family, and since Christ is committed to the church, it only makes sense to me that we make that same kind of commitment to each other through membership. Offering counsel on a wide-range of questions from actual readers like you! 1. The remaining 18 verses with unnamed churches are generically referred to. This article is excerpted not fromChurch Membership(pictured above), butChurch Discipline: How the Church Protects the name of Jesus(Crossway, 2012). The problem is discouragement is an even more powerful and infectious force. Why Is Church Membership So Important? Attend Membership Meetings. Gods people are not dogs, else they might go about one by one; but they are sheep, and therefore they should be in flocks. In fact, in 1 Corinthians Paul doesnt say the church is like a body. He says the church is a body. There are 59 one another commands that flatly require a community for obedience. The only additional requirement is baptism. God did not build His church to be a museum piece to be talked about in history books. Seven, you should not become a church member if you prefer to sit on the sidelines of the church and bury your gifts in the ground for fear of the what the Lord might require of you in terms of ministering to others ( 1 Pet. The church is his bride (2 Corinthians 11:2). Sturgis volunteers ready for more miracles of faith. The word membership is defined as the fact of being a member of a group. A member is simply one who belongs to a specific group. Viewing membership in a church through this lens vastly underestimates the powerful, living, life-changing entity that the church actually is. A cornerstone is the first and most important stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation. Want it in two business days? All believers are in the family of God, but only some are committed members in a local church. We accept this accountability when we become members, realizing that this provides a tangible way to cooperate with God. The reason is simple. To me, this is a great illustration of the church. This was implied in some of the other reasons, but it deserves to be repeated. But then we should covenant in a local body and live in community with them, agreeing to live by certain established godly principles and standards. Others simply bristle at church membership because it doesnt fit with their strategy for church growth. Lone Ranger Christians are common. But dont blame your ignorance on God. Herein lies a problem in Christendom today. Yet today in Western culture, being separated from the body of believers is not tragic. It is difficult to get around Scripture when it talks about being brought into the body and also being put out of it. Many of you reading this post are not members of UPC. In Matthew 18:15-20, Jesus explains how to handle conflict with another Christian. Author Sheila Alewine is a pastors wife, mother, and grandmother of five. Salem Media Group. Cultural change. It's great to say in a general way that one loves his or her fellow Christians. 5:25). So it is shocking to non-Christians when we lay down our self-interest to commit to love and serve others. It is in the local church body that the spiritual body of Christ becomes visible to a watching world. The goal of a believer is to grow up into maturity into Christlikeness. Were placed in the body. The proof of it is seen in how the leaders and congregation reject new ideas and freeze out new people. Church membership is implied by the way the church is supposed to discipline 2) Excommunication Exists. In short, it reflects the sacrificial love of Jesus (Mk. If you doubt me, just read 1 Corinthians 5:1 (its about a guy sleeping with his stepmom in church). 11. How do we define the flock? (This article is an excerpt from Jonathan Leemans forthcoming bookChurch Membership: How the World Knows Who Represents Jesusfrom Crossway, 2012). Its an announcement made in the pressroom of Christs kingdom. As an example, some of you who are reading may have lost a finger or toe in an accident. Membership is one way to raise the 2. That sounds exhausting! By committing to membership, we say to the other members of our church, I am committed to you, and I trust that you are committed to me. Far from being a mere formality, membership actually bolsters genuine community. 7. (Ephesians 5:25). Whatever the case, if you're not a church member you're missing something very important to your spiritual growth and the growth of the Kingdom. Cookies enable you to enjoy features such as social sharing. Cokesbury partners with UPS for these expedited deliveries. Jesus is passionate for His church. He has transferred us, Colossians 1 says, from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of the Son he loves. And if God wants it, what kind of Christian will oppose Him and reject His will? More information is available on our Privacy Policy. For that reason alone, it is important to understand exactly what the church is before we decide if membership is a valid idea. Ever wonder why the Bible is filled with references to churches, such as the church at Ephesus, at Thyatira, at Smyrna, at Pergamos, at Laodicea, at Sardis, at Thessalonica, etc? To reject the value of membership is to deny what God has already established in fact. But church membership isnt about status, its about transformation, commitment, and obedience to King Jesus. Just as we believe in the importance of marriage vows between men and women, so we believe in the importance of church membership vows for followers of Jesus. In a couple weeks, I'll lead our next Discovery Weekend. 10:38). I need my fellow church members too. Such accountability strengthens the church family as the church family knows that we can be counted on. It says you are not a church hopper.. Your membership on the team, which becomes visible when you wear the jersey, is a public testimony that your highest allegiance belongs to Jesus. Ever wonder why in the book of Revelation Jesus told John to write to the seven churches? We see Christ Himself as the cornerstone. In a world of perfect Christians, every Christian would be in a local church working with other believers that God puts together into particular local bodies of believers. One gift the church gives us is accountability before that day as we encourage one another to walk in holiness (2 Cor. You pointed the end towards the light, and as you turned the cylinder, the most beautiful and interesting pictures would appear. Because God added each of them to that church. Spiritual gifts are given to believers to use in the local church, and for the benefit of other believers in our body. 5). Based on my consulting research and interviews, here are 10 reasons church But when we are pointed toward the Light, Christ, and we come together as a local church, just as each piece slides into place when you turn the cylinder, a beautiful picture emerges. Pursuing holiness strengthens assurance. Jesus did not die to rescue you and then give you a church to help you along. Church members must be baptized, a pattern that is uniform in the New Testament. God has made a covenant with us through Jesus Christ. 3:10; 1 Peter 2:9-12). As Christians, we trust Philippians 1:6, which says, He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Jesus saved us, he is working in us, and he will finish what he has started. Ephesians 1:22-23 And He [God] put all things in subjection under His [Jesus] feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.. Jonathan is the director of communications for 9Marks. There is no longer a wall of broken commands between us and God by the blood of Jesus, that wall was removed, and we are now at peace with God. (1). The simple fact is that your kids, your spouse, and your friends wont take your commitment to King Jesus seriously unless youre seriously committed. God has not called pastors to shepherd every person who checked out our church last Christmas, or every person we meet at the local coffee shop, or every person who follows us on Twitter (hallelujah!). A church is not a true, biblical church unless it centers in Jesus. Membership communicates that we are aligning ourselves with Jesus by joining his family. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. Perhaps it is because church membership is not often defined well. Click below to read more about whether church is essential or non-essential in our current cultural climate. They became less and less active in the church until they were inactive. And church membership strengthens assurance. Church membership is also valuable for organizational purposes. All rights reserved. 9 - Membership helps you stop trying to be the Lone Ranger. Peter said to the crowds in Jerusalem, Repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38). Church membership also goes against the popular notion in our culture that organized religion is different from spirituality. 11 Reasons Church Membership Matters More than Ever Community. Simply stated, church membership unifies because it requires members to be Christians. We have the opportunity to practice teamwork. Becoming a church member is a public declaration of your allegiance to King Jesus. A local church is not something we join, but a group of fellow believers to which we covenant ourselves, our resources, our gifts, our service, and our very lives. 13:7; 17). From December 2009 to July 2021 Bill served as the Protestant Chaplain at Chuckawalla Valley State Prison in Blythe, California. Below are 10 common reasons why people dont give. Its where we learn to care for others, nurture each other, and when necessary be a peacemaker. A hand is useless without a body, but with a body, it can do extraordinary things. (1 Peter 5:2). Almost in every church, there are meeting days for the youth ministry, womens fellowship, mens fellowship, singing ministry and so on. Local church membership is not the eleventh commandment, or an additional beatitude, or an extra verse in some obscure manuscript tradition. In other words, church membership is good for the flesh. We may promise faithfulnessTil death do us partbut the reality is that it takes far less. ), Church membership, in other words, is not about additional requirements. Its about a church taking specific responsibility for a Christian, and a Christian for a church. Church membership signifies an individual commitment to grasp hold of one another in mutual love and discipleship.. 13:11; Heb. Answer: Its a declaration of citizenship in Christs kingdom. Church membership, in other words, is not about additional requirements.. We unite with people who have repented of sin and trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation. Its biblical. Membership is the churchs affirmation that you are a citizen of Christs kingdom and, therefore, a card-carrying Jesus Representative before the nations. So few in our culture want to be committed to anything-marriage, friendship, job, school, or country. (Galatians 6:2, emphasis added), Consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. It takes organization to get a group of people working well together. shepherd the flock of God that is among you. But this is what God wants. Bring up church membership and watch people squirm. In Matthew 18:1520, Jesus explains how to handle conflict with another Christian. More concretely, church membership is a formal relationship between a local church and a Christian characterized by the churchs affirmation and oversight of a Christians discipleship and the Christians submission to living out his or her discipleship in the care of the church. You don't have to be a member to participate in a Saturday of Service, sing in the band, serve in the nursery, host a Newcomer Dessert, read the Scriptures in the worship service, or dozens of other things. Referring to the family of God as being the universal, invisible church of God creates confusion about the role and need for local church bodies. A Christian is someone who has repented and believed, and thats who churches should affirm as members. It identifies you as genuine believer. It attracts non-Christians when they see a community that works through its differences rather than allowing them to separate. Rather, we should view membership through Gods unique and challenging standard that every member of the body is important to the whole and must contribute to its growth and effectiveness (see 1 Corinthians 12). Whenever people join our church, they are thrilled because they know that they are not just there to be consumers but to be contributors. But I want to suggest that church membership isnt simply a formality, nor is it a category foreign to the New Testament. Thank you for your generosity and support! God does not build things that are unimportant. People talk about church shopping, which makes church sound more like a mall than a missionary outpost. Separately, we arent very special. Since that is true, membership speaks of your commitment to the people of the church as well. Its biblical. I left after I graduated from high school.. It continues today in spite of human frailty. Membership defines our local church community, and gives us a specific group of people whom God has called us to bear with and build up until the day Christ returns. - The reality is we have often thought of membership like belonging to a select club, or like the old American Express commercial where membership has its privileges., That is not the way the Bible refers to membership. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. By continuing to use the 9M website, you consent to the use of cookies.
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