This week we will be receiving a number of people who have joined our fellowship, so this WWDWWD will focus on church membership. Shortly after my conversion I was part of a church that rejected the idea of church membership. Couple this idea with the low commitment level that permeates Southern California and public reception of members seems like an odd thing.

For starters, church membership is a tangible expression that one is, in fact, a Christian

But there are good reasons for church membership. One of the reasons that many churches reject the idea of membership is that there is no explicit New Testament text that says, “Thou shalt become a church member.” At one level this is true. But contrary to that teaching, the New Testament is not silent on this issue. For example, Acts 2:41 seems to indicate that there was a roll sheet of some kind, “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” What’s more, when you read through the New Testament you are confronted with Christians living in communion with the risen Christ and His people. Below we will present the case for Biblical church membership and the importance of the practice in the life of our church.

For starters, church membership is a tangible expression that one is, in fact, a Christian. Many people say they are Christians, but have no affiliation with the church. This is why I like to ask people who say they are part of the invisible body of Christ (i.e. the Universal Church) which visible church are they a part of. If they are not part of a visible church then there is no way they can assume to be part of the invisible church. Admission into church membership means that you are a Christian. The elders have heard of your faith in Christ and have invited you in.

Secondly, church membership is a means to submitting to spiritual authority. We, of course, repudiate heavy-handed shepherding and authoritative domineering. Nevertheless, we are called to submit to our leaders and obey them (Heb. 13:17). Elders are called by God to shepherd the church and keep watch over it (1 Pet. 5:2). God knows of our propensity to stray – doctrinally and morally – and thus grants to us a community wherein our souls can be protected.

Lastly, by joining a church we enter into covenant not only with God (point one) but also with the other members. So we take vows as a congregation. The members joining promise to support the church, trust in Christ, and submit to the elders. And the current members promise to support the new members. Joining a church is a rich expression of the unity of the faith we all share in Christ. It is a testimony that we are one and that we are in this together.

If you have been attending this church and would like to consider joining, please don’t hesitate to contact me so we can set up an appointment to talk.