Church Membership?

Why should you consider church membership? 

Context: This was intended as a little handout for our connect group at CFC. We thought we would post it as a helpful resourse to others. 

 Amanda and I both believe that church membership is something every Christian should prayerfully consider. 

Many people switch off to the idea and are quick to point out that Jesus never spoke about membership, neither did the apostles. Whilst this is true we must remember that we are looking at a church in its infancy. As it matured there is clear evidence of membership in early Christian writings. It’s worth noting that the first Christians were Jews and thus already were “members” of the Jewish faith and Christianity was not considered a separate religion.  “Becoming a Christian” was for them a matter of belief and baptism—believing that Jesus was  the promised Messiah of Israel and identifying with him.   The Jews already had a strict behavioural code; they needed no instruction on the existence of one God or even on how to respect authority, give of their time, money, energy and prayers—in many ways the Jewish lifestyle was stricter than the Christian standard would be.  As the Church expanded so did the challenges of engaging new cultures. Evangelists to the Jews had it easy when it came to behaviour—most Jews already behaved, or at least knew how to behave.  The gentile “dogs” were very different.  They were called dogs by the Jews because they had the morals of a wandering dog. It soon became clear that there was a need for some mechanisms for instruction and support as these new Christians where baptised and joined the local church… it is here that early evidence of membership began to develop. By 200 A.D church membership programmes where in operation in preparing new converts for baptism. 

Amanda and I moved church for the first time in 2014. It was not an easy decision and one that took months of prayer and conversations. We knew it was not a matter of God calling us out of a church but God calling us to a new church family and a new chapter. We had been members of our previous church since we had come to faith around 20 years ago. When we finally made the decision to join C.F.C. (October 2014), we became members within a matter of weeks.  Why? It was a natural response from our hearts to say… we belong here, this is our new home.  

Here are a few thoughts and reasons why Amanda and I think you should consider church membership.

1, it is a wonderful tool to assist in your discipleship. Christianity is not a spectator sport or activity you participate in in isolation. Your discipleship develops best when belonging to a community.

2, it makes a statement that you are committed to your local church, its leadership, vision and values.

3, it allows you to identify yourself clearly and publically to your church. It’s a public declaration that says ‘this is my team, my family.’ 

4, it improves communication within the church. There is often  a channel of communication which can only be accessed by members, it is for good reasons and helps with levels of confidentiality. When you join any organisation, including the church, channels of communication should become much clearer and more accessible.

5, it creates more opportunities for you to serve in the Church. Service should not be exclusive to members however responsibilities such as leading home groups, eldership, home visitation/pastoral care is best kept to those members who are committed to the vision and values of the church. 

6, your commitment as a member helps the church leadership plan for the future.  It’s impossible for a leadership to plan if no one is committed to the vision and values. If everyone avoids responsibility and commitment no team or organisation can thrive.

7, membership has little or no special privileges other than the privilege of responsibility. One of the greatest dangers in the church today is the crazy gang of freelance Christians who hop for church to church and display none of the characteristics of a ‘good and loyal solider.’ (2 Tim 2:3). Taking up responsibility is to keep rank, show loyalty, play your part in the battle and help carry one another’s burdens. (Gal 6:2). Membership carries expectations and responsibilities that we should not shrink back from. Many do not become members because the want to avoid these two words and yet they are the essential building blocks of spiritual maturity.

8, just as Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her (Eph 5:25), so should we love her and give ourselves to her. Too many people today ‘date the church’, some even ‘date’ two churches at once. They attend one church in the morning and a different one in the evening. They get the best of both churches but no church community gets the best out of them. Membership is a little bit like a marriage, it gives us an opportunity to say ‘This is my church, I feel responsible for her. I am committed to her mission, vision and ministry. I want to serve God here and grow in my faith.’

9, the church is the body of Christ. Membership brings a connectedness to the body which helps us function in our gifting and support others exercise their gifts.

10, church is a family and membership says to everyone in the family, I love you; I want to be identified with you as my brothers and sisters. It places value on individuals by demonstrating acceptance to each other and saying ‘I want to journey with you’.

11, by becoming a member you are presenting four gifts to the church: Time, money, energy and prayers. I can’t think of better way to spend these gifts than into the local church. 

12, Accountability: membership to a local church places us in a healthy place of accountability. Honouring the authority of the lead team and living in community with them, agreeing to live by certain established godly principles and standards will safeguard us from bad doctrine and choices. It honours what God has already established and demonstrates our commitment to each individual as well as the bigger organisation. 

As you consider membership please remeber it  is not about exclusivity, superierity, position or  rights; it much more about responsibility, service and commitment. 

The next course on exploring mebership  is on Monday 22 February at 7.30pm in the Ark Room, CFC East Belfast.

https://thisiscfc.com/activity/exploring-membership/