More on Membership
Some people resist church membership, saying they’re members of Christ’s body wherever they go. “I’m a member of Christ’s universal body by baptism, so I don’t need to publically declare myself loyal to any local congregation.”
Of course, there is a universal body. It’s made up of people representing every tongue and tribe and nation who confess Christ. But how do we make contact with that universal body? Where’s our point of entry? It’s the local congregation, isn’t it? If a member isn’t simply a name in a database, but a functioning part (ala 1 Corinthians 12), where will we function as members if not in a local congregation?
The congregation I’m with will allow non-members to serve in a variety ways–sing in the choir, rock babies, even teach a class. We want people to feel wanted and useful. Nevertheless, there are a couple areas in which non-members are forbidden to participate:
1. They may not become elders or deacons. These are vital functions in the church, ministries of oversight, requiring significant amounts of time and energy. They require commitment and stability. If a person hasn’t demonstrated the desire to be a member of our congregation, how do we know he’ll stick with the flock in a crisis? How do we know he’ll serve the flock consistently over time?
2. They may not vote on leaders or approve the congregational budget. We’re not so much prohibiting voting here as protecting the voter. If somebody’s committed to this local body, he has a vital interest in the shepherding and service of the body of which he’s a part. He needs to be able to affirm that the official shepherds (elders) and servants (deacons) of his church are duly and scripturally qualified–for his own sake.
I quite realize that the practice of voting can degenerate into mere politics. Ideally, however (and I strive to teach the ideal), a vote is a congregational affirmation that candidates are of good character and demonstrated ability. The uncommitted attender doesn’t care as much about those things. The committed member does.
Hi,
I was searching the web for christian comments on a show I have been watching, Flash Forward. I came across a review you wrote on October 8th and saw your link to this site. I was actually searching the web to see if any Christians have commented on the latest episode. I was not shocked(sin never seems to shock me anymore) when the female FBI character was a lesbian. I am amazed however that I have not found one article from a christian espousing the biblical position against homosexuality and this show. I rather enjoy the TV show but I am thinking of dropping it off the watch list. I cant stand to have an ideology foisted upon my mind without my prior consent. But that is not what I really am writing about.
Having read your article on Church Membership I wanted to make a few comments. I am the son of a preacher, I have preached quite a few times myself in the past. I attended Christian school all my years of schooling and have been involved in the “church” scene all my life.
I tend to be a bit picky when it comes to the scriptures, and take them very literally. So firstly I must say I will never be a member of a “church” again. I have been a member of many and have no intention of doing so again. The main reason is because most places call the building the “church” and the building the “house of God”. Two terms which could not be further from the truth. The building is neither the church or Gods House. You point out that those who reject membership do so with the excuse that they are a member of the body of Christ. If they have been born again then are they not in the Body of Christ? Please show me a scriptural passage that says this person, who is your brother( i.e. family) is less of a person in Messiah. They have messiah you have messiah, should you knot consider then to be as your own brother or sister? So you would shut your brother out of family decisions( i.e church business). Now lets say someone comes to your church and does so on a very regular basis. You preach about tithing( of which there were 5 in the Old testament, but the money one is all we seem to focus on) and this person gives. Say they give their 10 percent every time they come, a budget meeting comes up and you ask them to leave. To me and to many it seems your might be saying “thanks for the money and paying a tithe but dont worry about what we are gonna do with it.” Do you think this person will continue to return? I doubt it. Please do not think I am being hostile towards you in any way(other than the fact that Batman clearly has superman beat) I merely am asking you to look at it from my perspective. I do not think that the scripture teaches membership, I do not think it teaches denominations, I do not think the law has been abandoned. I simply say this. If you lead people in a Christlike manner will they follow? If they know their responsibility to God first then responsibilities to men will be righteous. Many pastors think they need to beat members over the head about thinks like tithing or attendance. But do you honestly think a Born again believer can forget his responsibility to God? Anyhow I will read through the rest of your site, you seem to be an interesting person. Please know that I mean no offense with anything I said. If you are Born Again in Christ then you are my brother and it is my pleasure to be able to converse with you, you are welcome to my table any time.
Brad Mason
Brad,
Thanks for writing. I’m always wondering what the few people who read my blog make of it.
I wrote my review of FF after the second episode. If I’d had an inkling at the time that the FBI lady was a lesbian, or that we’d be subjected to some female smoochin’, I’d've had something to say about it.
As for your other comments, brother, you don’t have to agree with me on church membership, or much of anything else, for me to love you in the Lord. Yes, even though you like Batman better than Superman, you’re welcome at my table too!
Your friend and brother in Christ,
Gary Robinson