Featured Is it Sinful not to be part of a local church?

Not if the local church teaches false doctrine or heresy.

 

Does “be a part” mean “be a member”? Or does it mean be involved in ministries with other Christians?

peace to you

 

The only thing that comes to mind is the verse in Hebrews, "Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together as the manner of some is.." I think it's definitely a commandment to go to church. If in the breaking of commandments we commit sin, then perhaps it is. But it is better to walk alone then be apart of an apostate church.

In general, I think it's a case-by-case basis. I have a godly, doctrinally-sound church that is 20 minutes from where I live - if I don't go to church, then for me it is sin. Say another person lives in a rather remote area and the only churches close by are unbiblical ones - for them not to go would not be sin, I wouldn't think. In fact, it would be sin TO go and be apart of them.

Edit: as for the ministry part, a Christian can partake or work on ministry in whatever aspect God has called them to whether they go to church or not. Church just helps build support for that ministry, I would think.

 

I like what John MacArthur has to say on the subject, "Better to spend your time sitting in a bar, than spend your time sitting in a church that teaches false doctrine."

 

The way the question is phrased, you can "what-if?" it to death. Yes, we're all aware that circumstances might preclude church membership.

A better question would be: If acceptable churches are extant in your area, is it sinful to forgo church membership?

 

True, but I don’t think the OP was directed at planting or establishing churches, but rather whether avoiding discipline by skipping membership is sinful.

 

Generally speaking, yes, it is sinful not to place oneself under the authority and discipline of a church. However, we have one dear lady in our church who has come from a background that did not have church membership. Her late husband was very active in our church but never became a member, and in deference ti him, neither has she.

We love her dearly; I am not going to say that she is sinning. But she is wrong, and she is missing out.