What's the Point of Membership?

Nathan Stam
Children/Communications Pastor

I've heard this question several times over the years, especially working with our Children's Ministry: "What's the point of membership?" or "Why do I need to join the church?" I think it's a valid question, especially considering there are North American denominations with no formal membership process.

With our summer New Member's Class, "Discover Apex", just around the corner (June 6 and 13) I think it's appropriate to look at a few reasons why membership in a local church is important (by membership I mean a formal commitment to the church and a formal commitment from the church to an individual). I recently read Doctrine by Driscoll and Beshears (one of our summer recommendations) and it lists several reasons for membership that are worth mentioning here (in some cases they've been condensed and paraphrased):

1. Salvation involves new life in a communal relationship with a church to live on mission for Jesus' kingdom. The Kingdom begins its reign in the church.
2. Jesus' call to "follow me" means come join a group of disciples who together are the people of God. The New Testament uses collective metaphors to describe the church of Christ like flock, temple, body and family. Each of the images communicates the idea that God's people are to remain together.
3. Real disciples commit to the church because they know they need the help of others to keep following Jesus. There is accountability and they know they need this kind of incentive to strengthen their spiritual lives.
4. Paul's favorite metaphor for the church that we find in the New Testament is the body. If you are a hand in the body of Christ, then you need an arm and a head to do what the Spirit has gifted you to do. Those who care about living fruitful lives for the advancement of the gospel know that the church with all its gifted people is essential.
5. Disciples know they need to be equipped for ministry. Apart from the church, there is no way to be trained to do the ministry of the church or truly live a life of love.
6. If you are wise, you know how easy it is to fall into deception apart from the protective work of wise leaders and the insightful help of other Spirit-led believers. You need elders to watch your soul, to be responsible for you before God. They provide spiritual protection for you and care about your growth in Christ.
7. Jesus followers join churches because they want to be like Jesus and will risk loving others deeply. 
8. Disciples know that though the church is imperfect, Christ calls them to strengthen it by their presence rather than criticize it in their absence. When we love and give to one another, then we grow as individuals and as the family of God.
9. Christians join churches because they know it is the right thing to do. From the beginning, God said it was not good to be alone. As God's Trinitarian image bearers, church community is essential and non-negotiable.
10. Jesus' heart for and commitment to the church should compel us to love and serve the church. Those who ignore the church, criticize the church, despise the church, or even harm the church must seriously question whether they truly love Jesus and are his followers, since true Christians love and serve the church because Jesus does.

Something to think about! If you'd like to find out more about ABC or would like to check out the "Discover Apex" class then please contact Tim and he'll get you hooked up!