MEMBERSHIP

Throughout the New Testament, we see those who put their faith in Christ joining themselves to a local body of believers. These bodies are overseen by a group of elders whose roles of shepherding care (1 Timothy 3 & Titus 1)  The Apostle Paul inextricably links faith in Christ to being joined as members to Christ’s body in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31. Each one of us is uniquely gifted and designed to be a part of a larger body of believers. The way we see this practically play out in the lives of Christians is through their covenantal commitment to a local church family.

Real fellowship is hard work, because most people are a lot like us - selfish, petty, and proud. But that’s the body God calls us to. There's hurt & healing. There's redemption & reconciliation. And it takes commitment. Membership states in a formal way, “I am part of something bigger than myself. I am not just one of five hundred individuals. I am part of a body.” Believers belong to churches.

When we join a church we are offering ourselves to one another to be encouraged, rebuked, corrected, and served. We are placing ourselves under leaders and submitting to their authority (Heb. 13:7). We are saying, “I am here to stay. I want to help you grow in godliness. Will you help me to do the same?”

Church membership is a way of identifying oneself with a local body of believers and of making oneself accountable to proper spiritual leadership. By committing yourself to a church, you have creative initiative and ownership of serving and being an active disciple among others.