The meaning of the title “Membership Matters” can be seen in 2 ways – (1) in an informative manner as in the case of “let us address membership matters”. Or it can be seen as – (2) in a personal manner as in the case of “membership matters to you and to me”. I will be touching on both perspectives and also the biblical perspective in this short write up. I have heard many questions on what is church membership. Why is it important? Is it necessary? Well, in our culture now where individualism is rife, it should come as no surprise that church membership is of such a low priority for so many believers. To neglect—or to refuse—to join a church as a formal member is a misunderstanding of the believer’s responsibility to the body of Christ.
When an individual is saved, he becomes a member of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13, 27) together with other members of the body. But when one puts himself under the membership of a church, he is committed to the purposes of that particular church which generally include – instruction of God’s Word (1 Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 4:2), serving one another through the proper use of spiritual gifts (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-31; 1 Peter 4:10-11), administering the sacraments (Luke 22:19; Acts 2:42), and proclaiming the gospel to those who are lost (Matthew 28:18-20). In addition, when one becomes a member of a church, he submits himself to the care and the authority of the biblically qualified shepherds that God has placed in that church.
Biblical Basis for Church Membership
Although the Scriptures do not contain any explicit command to formally join and be a member of a local church, the biblical foundation for church membership permeates the New Testament. This biblical basis can be seen most clearly in (1) the early church and (2) the church government.
1) Example of the early church- In the early church, when one received Christ, one becomes a member of the universal church. Believers were baptized and added to the church (Acts 2:41, 47; 5:14; 16:5). More than simply living out a private commitment to Christ, they joined together formally with other believers in a local assembly and devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer (Acts 2:42). Also notice that the epistles of the New Testament were written to churches spread across the known world, thus the New Testament epistles themselves demonstrate the assumption that believers would be committed to a local assembly in their area.
2) Existence of church government – The consistent pattern throughout the New Testament is that it is the responsibility of the shepherds to oversee the local body of believers. The specific duties given to church leaders are: to shepherd God’s people. (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2); to labor diligently among them (1 Thessalonians 5:12); to have charge over them (1 Thessalonians 5:12; 1 Timothy 5:17); and to keep watch over their souls (Hebrews 13:17). The shepherds need to give an account to God for the individuals allotted to their charge (Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:3). However, leaders can shepherd the people and give an account to God for their spiritual well-being only if they know who they are; they can provide oversight only if they know those for whom they are responsible; and they can fulfill their duty to shepherd the flock only if they know who is part of the flock. The leaders of a church cannot be responsible for the spiritual well-being of every individual who visits the church or who attends sporadically. They can only be responsible for those who have submitted themselves to the care and the authority of the leaders, and this is done through church membership.
I recently realized the importance of this fact as I was asked to link up with some members of Charis whom we have not seen for awhile. Whilst talking with them, I was able to understand their whereabouts and spiritual wellbeing, thus creating opportunities for pastoral care and follow up. If they are non-members, who would be responsible to care for them? Would a newly appointed pastor who does not know them personally be able to care for them if not for a membership list which enables him to contact them?
Final Words
There are some who say that as long as they are committed Christians, there is no need for that “piece of paper” (membership). Church membership is not a piece of paper; it is not a country club membership card; it is not a discount coupon; it is not a passport to greater privileges. These are thwarted views of church membership. Church membership is really about being part of a family and being accountable. Yes, indeed we are in the family of Christ universally with God as our Father and Christ as our head, but notice that the body of Christ is the church (Ephesians 1:22-23), and the church is the physical representation of God on earth. Why then should we not be a part of it? If one would argue that he is a committed Christian, then what’s to stop him from being committed to a local church, to be her member and pledge to serve her God’s given cause and vision? If he is not convinced to be a member of his present church, then go ahead and be a member of a church where he feels belonged, where he believes God is calling him to. Rather than be an unaccounted non-member, he should be a formal member of a church so that there is accountability and a visible commitment to God’s call and direction for that church.
In conclusion, membership matters.
~ Ps Andy Goh