Monday, June 9, 2008

The Importance Of Church Membership

Timmy Brister has compiled a nice list concerning why Church membership is important and the contents of the list discusses (amongst other things) what should be done about our failings as a denomination to take such a thing as this seriously (as something for which we will give an account). Take a look at the article by David S. Dockery, President of Union University and I would highly recommend you read the rest on the list as well.

You can read more here.

Some questions:
-What are your thoughts on church membership?
-Is it biblical?
-Is it beneficial?
-Should people who have not attended church in several months be removed from the membership role?
-Should membership be meaningful?

4 comments:

Josh said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Pastor Klay said...

jrazz, several months ago when I went to the 9Marks "weekender", Dever explained that church membership is the church holding out to the world the individual Christian's profession of faith. This "holding" can be maintained as long as the church can in good conscious continue to vouch for the believer's walk with God in faith. How long should a membership be held after ceasing active attendence? Depends.

For example, when someone moves the church should remain in regular contact with them until they find new membership elsewhere. If, after several months, the elders do not feel progress is being made in their search for biblical church membership, then they might have to choose to remove them.

Craig said...

Church membership is biblical and beneficial. Not only is it a profession of faith, but it provides fellowship, exhortation and an opportunity to use spiritual gifts.

Hebrews 10:24-26 "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhoting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins"

In addition, can a church discipline someone who is not a member. Did God not establish the church?

There is a really good book about church membership titled "Life in the Fathers House" by Wayne A. Mack and David Swavely.

j razz said...

Life in the Father's House: A Member's Guide to the Local Church is the book that Craig referenced. Thanks for sharing.

By the way, I appreciated your thoughtful comments on here.

j razz