August 2002
Then they that gladly received His word were baptized: and the same day there
were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly
in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in
prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by
the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man
had need. And they continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking
bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of
heart. Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added
to the church daily such as should be saved." (Acts 2:41-47)
The Meaning of Church Membership
What does it mean to be a member of a local church?
The answer may appear to be a foregone conclusion. But many people take
their church membership lightly or have a distorted view of its meaning. There
was a time when a person joined a church and remained a member for life. They
were dedicated, baptized, married and buried from the same church. They even
referred to the church as "my home-church.'' For many today, that no longer
is the case.
As Moderator of the Northern Virginia Baptist Association the past four years, I
witnessed people leaving local churches for many superficial reasons. These
people are called church-hoppers. They move from church to church. They view the
church with the same mentality as Peter in Matthew 19:27, they want to know,
"What shall we have therefore?" When they join the local church they
want to know, "what's in it for me?" Is what you can get the only
reason to join a particular church? Is this a correct meaning of church
membership?
I say no. Church membership means much more than that.
First, church membership means becoming part of a community of believers. The
believers, in the text above, lived in a community. Their fellowship was
"with gladness and singleness of heart." (v46) When you join a local
church you become part of that family. The uniqueness of church membership is
that it is not merely people with a common purpose, but rather, people with a
common life. At FedEx Field there are people with a common purpose, to see the
Redskins' game and support the team. But with church membership, people with a
common life are joined together in a much deeper sense.
Second, church membership means identifying with the Community of Faith.
"And all that believed were together, and had all things in common."
(v44) In church membership, you band with other believers to work, worship and
participate collectively in those things which God has assigned to that
congregation. Church membership is voluntary. The church can not compel anyone
to unite with it, nor can any individual oblige the body to receive him. It is
not true that it is optional for a believer to identify with the church. It's
unnatural and impossible to love Jesus and yet be indifferent to the institution
which he loved (Eph. 5:25) and died for. Because Jesus loved the church,
everyone who loves Christ will come to love the church also.
Third, church membership means fellowship and witness. Believers need the
fellowship of other believers. That is why Paul exhorts the believers in Hebrews
10:25, "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner
of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day
approaching." One's witness finds its validation in fellowship. We have to
learn how to get along with each other. "If a man says, I love God, and
hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he
hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?" (1 John 4:20)
Four, church membership has privileges. You have a right to be heard on issues
that come before the church. You have a right to vote on matters that require
approval by the congregation. The privilege to participate in worship, witness,
service, ministries, missions and business affairs of the local congregation and
to fellowship and participate in a loving community with other believers.
As a member, you join the auxiliaries of the church and to serve in a leadership
role.
Finally, membership means responsibilities. The believers recognized a
responsibility to each other. "And sold their possessions and goods, and
parted them to all men, as every man had need." (v45)
Our covenant contains some of our responsibilities. "To strive for the
advancement of this church in knowledge and holiness; to give it a place in our
affections, prayers and service above every organization of human origin; to
sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrine. To contribute
cheerfully and regularly, as God has prospered us, towards its expenses, for the
support of a faithful and evangelical ministry among us, the relief of the poor
and the spread of the Gospel throughout the world."
Church membership is a grave matter. It is also a spiritual matter. God places
individuals where he wants them to be. When God assigns a task to a local
congregation, he then sends the people there to accomplish the job. The church
and the gifted people are given "For the perfecting of the saints, for the
work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Till we all come
in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a
perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of God." (Eph.
4:12-13).
This is the true meaning of church membership.
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