Church Membership

Every year I have the privilege to work through the new members class and talk with perspective members about joining the community of believers at New Life. Throughout the conversations I talk with people with various perspectives concerning church membership.

Not long ago I had a conversation with a person opposed to the concept of membership within the local body of Christ. The resistance to the idea was because in this persons mind this particular season of life did not seem conducive to join with a local congregation. Please understand, I believe the Bible teaches that it is important to join with a local congregation in church membership regardless of the particular phase of life. Needless to say, the conversation did not end in a positive way. As a result I have decided to do a series of blog post concerning the importance of church membership. 

I consider church membership a biblical concept and I also think it is beneficial for our spiritual health. Let me encourage you to prayerfully consider these passages as we begin our discussion.

• Acts 2:37-47 - this passage provides a record of a New Testament community coming together identifying with one another based on the profession of their faith in Jesus.

• Acts 6:1-6 - this passage provides insight to the development of organization to help meet the needs of people within their community of faith. 

• Romans 16:1-16 - this passage identifies a group of diverse people who are growing in their faith by serving the purposes of God and loving one another.

• 1 Timothy 5:3-16 - this passage identifies an organized church tasked with the responsibility of assessing the need and appropriating support to the local widows within the congregation. 

Scripture is also clear that church leaders will be held accountable for the lives of those they shepherd (Hebrews 13:17). If I have to give an account for those I shepherd I certainly desire to know each person and the spiritual health of those on that list.   

Obviously this is introductory content concerning the importance of church membership. Over the next few weeks I will continue to develop the argument as together we consider the biblical basis and practical implications of church membership.

Pastor Billy