Church membership

[MennoSota]

Calvin is also responsible for poor airline customer service.

...elective profiling...

 

[tyndale1946]

Did you know Calvin is responsible for global warming?

With some of the heated discussions that go here that doesn't surprise me... Brother Glen

 

[rsr]

There are some people who have been so traumatized by church dissension and breakups that they hesitate to join a church.

They may be regular attenders and participate in ministries and contribute to the church, but they hesitate to join because of their spiritual PTSD.

They should be encouraged, but the honest among them know that they cannot participate in things that require membership. If they object, they are just squealing without understanding.

 

[JamesL]

my previous church was the first one in which I signed a membership card. And that was where I had a total shift in thinking in regards to church participation.

I was always one who held to the idea that you don't have to sign a membership card. Christ died for every believer, no need to section ourselves off. I can attend every week whether I'm a member or not.... yada yada yada

But at that church, I really felt impressed by God that it's not just about me. it's not just about me taking a stand, planting my feet in the ground. There's a whole body to consider. And if he had called me to that body, and the entire body thought it was of utmost importance to have a membership card signed, then maybe I needed to lay down my self-centeredness and be part of a body mindset.

Incidentally, it was at that church I stopped "attending" and it became a place to which I belonged - which just happens to be their slogan: a place to belong

 

[Reformed]

There are some people who have been so traumatized by church dissension and breakups that they hesitate to join a church.

They may be regular attenders and participate in ministries and contribute to the church, but they hesitate to join because of their spiritual PTSD.

They should be encouraged, but the honest among them know that they cannot participate in things that require membership. If they object, they are just squealing without understanding.

I understand my friend's situation. I am glad that he and his wife have found a sound church to attend, and by every outward measurement, they are part of a local body. All I can do is pray for him and be an encouragement.

 

[tyndale1946]

I understand my friend's situation. I am glad that he and his wife have found a sound church to attend, and by every outward measurement, they are part of a local body. All I can do is pray for him and be an encouragement.

I agree and unless you have walked in another mans shoes how can you judge the action he takes... You can tell another mans story but you haven't lived it or are living it... We can only give our opinion as it relates to a church situation comparing it with our own, then again we may be in error... Yes all you can do for your friends is pray and encourage them... Brother Glen

 

[Salty]

I agree and unless you have walked in another mans shoes how can you judge the action he takes... You can tell another mans story but you haven't lived it or are living it... We can only give our opinion as it relates to a church situation comparing it with our own, then again we may be in error... Yes all you can do for your friends is pray and encourage them... Brother Glen

I dont fully agree - - lets say a man robs a bank - we will say what he did was wrong. But supposes he says he had a good reason - and since we have not walked in his shoes, why should we condemn him for robbing that bank.

WE believe that we should join a local church - and if we dont, then we are not in the will of the Lord.

 

[tyndale1946]

I dont fully agree - - lets say a man robs a bank - we will say what he did was wrong. But supposes he says he had a good reason - and since we have not walked in his shoes, why should we condemn him for robbing that bank.

WE believe that we should join a local church - and if we dont, then we are not in the will of the Lord.

So what you are saying is because I didn't join a certain church I am robbing the Lord?... I'm I robbing the Lord or robbing myself of the precious treasures I could receive from his bounty in serving him worth more that the riches of all the banks in the world?... Brother Glen

 

[Yeshua1]

If you want members benefits, join. Why would you let a non member vote or teach?

Being willing to become a member of a local church grants to you the privileged to do things such as voting, teaching etc!

 

[Felipe Rios]

This hypothetical situation is not so hypothetical. It is based on a long-time friend of mine who is living this situation.

A couple moves a few hours away from the church they were members of. The church is too far to attend, so they seek out a new church. After a few weeks visiting churches, they find a church they like and start attending faithfully. In addition to Lord's day worship, they attend Sunday school and mid-week small group. They do everything expected of members, only they are not members. In fact, they refuse to join the church. They are convinced that church membership is an artificial construct. They are members of Christ's church through the new birth. After attending the church for close to three months the pastor and elders meet with them and encouraged them to join the church. The husband gave his reasons for not joining. In response the pastor and elders told them as non-members they would be limited in the type of ministry they could be involved in (i.e. no teaching or working with children). They also could not attend or vote at members meetings.

What say you about this couple's view and the church's response?

Each body of Christ is local and visible. I believe the church is always local so

This hypothetical situation is not so hypothetical. It is based on a long-time friend of mine who is living this situation.

A couple moves a few hours away from the church they were members of. The church is too far to attend, so they seek out a new church. After a few weeks visiting churches, they find a church they like and start attending faithfully. In addition to Lord's day worship, they attend Sunday school and mid-week small group. They do everything expected of members, only they are not members. In fact, they refuse to join the church. They are convinced that church membership is an artificial construct. They are members of Christ's church through the new birth. After attending the church for close to three months the pastor and elders meet with them and encouraged them to join the church. The husband gave his reasons for not joining. In response the pastor and elders told them as non-members they would be limited in the type of ministry they could be involved in (i.e. no teaching or working with children). They also could not attend or vote at members meetings.

What say you about this couple's view and the church's response?

Well I believe the "church" is always a local body so membership is vital. I think they have an unbiblical view of the church and the purpose of membership. They need to be taught the purpose of membership and if they want to get more involved they will submit to church authority.

 

[MennoSota]

Being willing to become a member of a local church grants to you the privileged to do things such as voting, teaching etc!

The problem, which the OP brings up, is that congregational church governance has no biblical support and is not evidenced in the early church. This is why I posted my tongue-in-cheek response about Calvin and the presbyters. Such a requirement for church membership and voting rights is a modern idea stemming from political systems rather than biblical support.
The ideal church would have elders overseeing the spiritual condition of the body and deacons overseeing the physical needs. The elders would recognize those in the church with particular gifts and bless them to fulfill their gift within the body. Membership would be irrelevant.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I agree and unless you have walked in another mans shoes how can you judge the action he takes... You can tell another mans story but you haven't lived it or are living it... We can only give our opinion as it relates to a church situation comparing it with our own, then again we may be in error... Yes all you can do for your friends is pray and encourage them... Brother Glen

BINGO

 

[annsni]

I agree and unless you have walked in another mans shoes how can you judge the action he takes... You can tell another mans story but you haven't lived it or are living it... We can only give our opinion as it relates to a church situation comparing it with our own, then again we may be in error... Yes all you can do for your friends is pray and encourage them... Brother Glen

You can say the same about a man who left his wife and is shacking up with someone else but isn't willing to commit because he was "hurt" in his first marriage. I just don't buy it, to be honest. If it is a good church and the church that they wish to attend, then they should commit.

 

[Reynolds]

The problem, which the OP brings up, is that congregational church governance has no biblical support and is not evidenced in the early church. This is why I posted my tongue-in-cheek response about Calvin and the presbyters. Such a requirement for church membership and voting rights is a modern idea stemming from political systems rather than biblical support.
The ideal church would have elders overseeing the spiritual condition of the body and deacons overseeing the physical needs. The elders would recognize those in the church with particular gifts and bless them to fulfill their gift within the body. Membership would be irrelevant.

Correct! The early Church was not a social club and likewise was not structured as a social club.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Each body of Christ is local and visible. I believe the church is always local so

Well I believe the "church" is always a local body so membership is vital. I think they have an unbiblical view of the church and the purpose of membership. They need to be taught the purpose of membership and if they want to get more involved they will submit to church authority.

and just what is the purpose of membership?

Each body of Christ is local and visible. I believe the church is always local so

Well I believe the "church" is always a local body so membership is vital. I think they have an unbiblical view of the church and the purpose of membership. They need to be taught the purpose of membership and if they want to get more involved they will submit to church authority.

So what is it's true purpose?

 

[Reformed]

Not every practice of the church is commanded in scripture, but not every practice is unbiblical. Is it unbiblical to have air conditioning, carpet, running water? How about pews, portable baptistery's, or midweek services? The early church never had to wrestle with the issue of local church membership because most places only had one church. When you left or were put out of the church , you had no other alternative. Church discipline was easier to administrator because there was no threat to leave for another church. Today is different. Making a formal commitment to a local body places one under the authority and oversight of that church. Godly pastors and elders are charged with caring for the believer's soul. Church discipline exists to keep a brother from the ravages of the world. Such care does not exist where there is no commitment.


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[rlvaughn]

The problem, which the OP brings up, is that congregational church governance has no biblical support and is not evidenced in the early church...The ideal church would have elders overseeing the spiritual condition of the body and deacons overseeing the physical needs. The elders would recognize those in the church with particular gifts and bless them to fulfill their gift within the body. Membership would be irrelevant.

I agree with you that modern church governance as we often think of it in Baptist churches -- motion & second, all in favor, the ayes have it and all that. In many Baptist churches, decision making has degenerated into the 50.1% forcing their will on the 49.9%. The church should endeavor to come to the unity of the faith. It is not about majority rule, as in common democratic process. But the overall picture in the New Testament does not rule out the congregation in decision making. A body coming to consensus under biblical leadership is the pattern I see in the early churches.

 

[Reformed]

I agree with you that modern church governance as we often think of it in Baptist churches -- motion & second, all in favor, the ayes have it and all that. In many Baptist churches, decision making has degenerated into the 50.1% forcing their will on the 49.9%. The church should endeavor to come to the unity of the faith. It is not about majority rule, as in common democratic process. But the overall picture in the New Testament does not rule out the congregation in decision making. A body coming to consensus under biblical leadership is the pattern I see in the early churches.

FWIW the church I served in as a elder
did not use majority rule. We were elder
ruled. A vote could remove a wayward elder but it required a super majority.


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[Yeshua1]

Not every practice of the church is commanded in scripture, but not every practice is unbiblical. Is it unbiblical to have air conditioning, carpet, running water? How about pews, portable baptistery's, or midweek services? The early church never had to wrestle with the issue of local church membership because most places only had one church. When you left or were put out of the church , you had no other alternative. Church discipline was easier to administrator because there was no threat to leave for another church. Today is different. Making a formal commitment to a local body places one under the authority and oversight of that church. Godly pastors and elders are charged with caring for the believer's soul. Church discipline exists to keep a brother from the ravages of the world. Such care does not exist where there is no commitment.


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The first Christians were accepted as members of the church based upon profession of faith in Jesus, and being water baptized, so is that not same for membership today in many churches?

 

[Reformed]

The first Christians were accepted as members of the church based upon profession of faith in Jesus, and being water baptized, so is that not same for membership today in many churches?

That is the same requirement for most New Testament churches. The membership then affirms the candidate for membership.