One of our energized discussions at church this weekend revolved around the concept of membership. We were aware that, even in a house church that does not have formal “membership,” it’s still possible to develop a subtle sense of “we” as opposed to “them.” We can find ourselves thinking that we are part of “this” church or “this kind of church” which becomes, in a sense, an informal membership badge. There is such a nasty little thing in each of us that seeks to be part of something “special.” We want a place to belong, a people to belong to, so we create unhealthy we-them-isms so that we can enjoy being the “we.”
We decided that we wanted to be intentional about living and declaring a primary loyalty to the Body of Christ, not to any sub-group of the church. It’s not that we were promoting something else; we just realized that if we were not purposeful in this area, the tendency, even for organic house churches, is to drift into forms of worldly loyalty. We determined to actively and purposefully promote a THE church perspective rather than an OUR church one.
So… as a starting point… I have a tentative “membership” statement to offer. It’s in rough form, but it may be something to build on as a tool for intentionally training ourselves and others in “membership”:
• We affirm that we are, first and foremost, members of the one, true, universal church of Jesus Christ, also known as the Body of Christ. We affirm that we (as Christians) are members of the church and that no other membership is necessary. (Eph. 3:4-5)
• We believe that the way Christianity is sometimes practiced today leads to worldly loyalties that can create unhealthy division and disharmony within the Body of Christ. We affirm that God wants the church to rise above man-made affinities. (1 Cor. 1:12-13)
• We believe that Christians are to gather together for prayer, building one another up, breaking bread, and worship as often as possible. We affirm all types of such gatherings regardless of size, location, or who is present. We recognize that technology has broadened the possibilities for alternate ways to gather. (Acts 2:46-47)
• We affirm the validity of every church expression and gathering without giving higher regard to any one type of gathering, time of gathering, place of gathering, or who is “officiating” (if anyone). (Eph. 4:25; 1 Cor. 14:26)
I recognize that this is just a starting point. But I think it’s a useful dialogue. Suggestions?
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Comments
4 responses to “Church Membership”
I sense the tension here, but I do think that there is a value in “membership”. This is because church is, should be and ought to be an expression of belonging. One of the things that I value most about my church community is that it is just that – a community. It is a group of people with whom I am sharing my faith journey, who are leading, following and walking alongside me.
That being said, i have always been an advocate of relatively ‘open’ membership – no cooling off periods, no steps to climb.
I’m glad you said this because I would like to add the following points to my “membership statement” that affirms the importance of “belonging”:
• We affirm the importance of every Christian being involved with a community of believers who know one another and are caring enough to hold one another accountable in love. (Heb. 10:24-25)
• We affirm the importance of every Christian being connected with two or more “elders” (believers more mature in the faith) who know and have an active shepherding role in the Christian’s life. (Acts 20:28; Heb. 13:17)
• We affirm that it is okay to be a member, in the traditional sense, of one or more churches as long as we are not prohibited, by such membership, from participating fully in the universal church and fulfilling our individual calling. Our true loyalty, however, resides with the entire Body of Christ. (Eph. 4:5)
Still working on this. Input is helpful!!!
This is very important Roger. I have always viewed “the Church”, perhaps naively, as one “unit”, without walls or divisions. “Membership” doesn’t seem like the appropriate word at all. We are either “believers”, followers of the way, or not. Differences in doctrines have raised walls in the body that serve no Godly purpose except to distinguish differences. The Apostles were about uniting the brethren in the Word/Spirit of God. There is the power. Therefore, I understand my “membership” to be in the Kingdom of Heaven rather than in any church subgroup. It’s quite freeing.I’m glad you are wrestling with this. I’m just a raggamuffin. I can grasp the wonder of the Gospel, but doctrine must be made simple for me. Does the Bible support it, great, if not, it’s a worldly issue. What you are saying sounds biblically true. It appears in the Bible that relationships between men (leaders) and church groups or congregations were the basis for inter-church unity in the first church.Those churches were “missional” churches for the most part, I believe, but also “attractional”. The relational nature of each of us to the whole church and to God is the vital “life” of the church. I think denominationalism in America has quenched that life. Flourishing churches in America are precisely more “open” minded (outreaching not inwardly focused), encouraging relationships – to know and to be known. Not because is works in any worldly (marketing) sense but because it is God-designed that way.
I experience a since of belonging when I am envolved with an intimate group of believers. I feel that accountablity and support, both phisically and spritually, are key components of “membership” in a church. My heart seems to be leading me into outreach which excites and scares me. My fears are calmed when I think that I have a “home base” of people that will keep me in prayer.