Featured Church membership

...elective profiling...

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

BINGO

 

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

 

and just what is the purpose of membership?

So what is it's true purpose?

 

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.

 

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?