Church Membership What is Church Membership? We need to distinquish between membership in Christ's universal Church and membership in a local congregation. When we are baptized into Christ, he adds us to his universal church (Acts 2:47). He writes our name in the "lamb's book of life" (Rev. 21:27). Christians have always gathered in local congregations for worship, fellowship, and discipleship. To request membership in a particular congregation is to be asked to be "adopted" into a local church family as a fellow Christian. Therefore membership in the local Church of Christ first requires membership in Christ's universal church: one has expressed their faith in Jesus as God's Son, repented of their sins and been baptized into Christ as the Bible teaches. Membership in a local congregation does not necessarily imply that one currently has a right relationship with God. From the parable of the wheat and the weeds, we learn that God would have the wheat and weeds to grow together until the judgment (Matt. 13:24-30, 36-43). Only persistent, obvious sin is given as Biblical grounds for withdrawal from a local church (I Cor. 5). High Expectations: Those entering into membership in the local church of Christ have high expectations of a meaningful congregational experience. Members wanting to become members of the local Church of Christ come with high expectations of enjoying beneficial relationship with other Christians. Those becoming Church members should expect: 1. Relevant and Biblical Worship - Members of the congregation have the right to expect relevant and Biblical worship services. While individual taste may vary, church members have a right to expect the worship services to be both Biblical and relevant to life (John 4:24). 2. Clear Bible Teaching - Church members have a right to expect the Bible to be taught with clarity, both in the pulpit and in the classroom (Col. 4:41). 3. Strong Personal Relationship - Church members expect to find friendship in the congregation that will be enriching socially, emotionally and spiritually. The church is an "extended family." we "rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn" (Romans 12:15). The church becomes a "support group" as we help each other through the challenges of life on the way to heaven. While church members have a right to have high expectations due to their participation in the congregation, the congregation as a whole also has high expectations of its members. Remember, church membership is like being adopted into an extended family. While we expect to receive many blessings from being a part of our extended family, we also recognize that being a "family member" carries responsibilities as well. Church membership is like a lot of things in life: We get out of it what we put into it! Expectations Of Church Members: 1. Regular Invovlement - Church members are expected to worship with the congregation regularly. In addition members are expected to be involved in congregational Bible classes and small groups. The blessings of congregational life depend upon regular invovlement in the Worship, Bible study, and Fellowship of the church (Heb. 10:25). 2. Building Christian Relationship - Church members are expected to build and maintain healthy interpersonal relationships with fellow church members. While no one can be "best friends" with everyone, church members are expected to build healthy relationships with other Christians within the congregation. 3. Christian Ministry - Each church member is expected to use their spiritual gifts to serve in the body of Christ. Church membership invovles more than "warming a pew" on Sunday! Christian ministry involves serving each other on a personal level, working in the congregation's ministries and involvement in the community. The church exists "to prepare God's people for works of service" (Eph. 4:12). 4. Financial Support - Local congregations are financed by its members. A free-will offering is taken each Sunday morning. The Bible teaches us that we each give a portion of our funds in proportion to our income (I Cor. 16:2). While some members chose to give a tenth, the church sets no maximum amounts. Each member is responsible to God to give generously, however, one would be on the safe side to do their best to give above a tenth based on the fact that we are living under better principles and promises of the New Covenant (Hebrews Chapter 10, Matthew 5:20). 5. A Christian Lifestyle - We expect that church members live under the Lordship of Christ as dedicated disciples. This involves following a Christian Lifestyle concurrent with Biblical values, (Matthew 6:33) and to work with assigned men in positions of responsibility. If you have any questions or would like to know what to do next, please fill out this Feedback Form