Why Church Membership?
It is a clear teaching of Scripture that Christians should be a functioning part of a local Church. Commitment to an identifiable, specific group of believers is the Biblical model. Because we are passionate about the spiritual health of our families, we challenge our attendees to commit to membership with Randolph Street Church or to quickly partner with another gospel-loving local Church. As Wesley said, "The Bible knows nothing of a solitary religion."
Church membership is not synonymous with attendance. Attendance is easy, as little is at stake if little is invested. However, membership means we make a heavy investment. In a congregation of sinful human beings the potential exists for hurt, pain and frustration; however, as we view one another through "gospel lenses," immense joy awaits as we model the gospel in our relationships and support each other as we strive to follow Christ.
Joshua Harris summarized the importance of Church membership by writing, "You see, the strongest argument I know for why you should love and care for the Church is that Jesus does. The greatest motivation we could ever find for being passionately committed to the Church is that Jesus is passionately committed to the Church ... Christ's love for His Church is not flighty - He is tender and patient. His love isn't fickle - He is committed. He intercedes on our behalf constantly before the Father. He nourishes, cherishes, sustains and protects." (Stop Dating the Church, pp. 29, 31)
Every Christian should become a member of a local Church for at least five biblical reasons:
#1) The Bible teaches that individuals were “added” to the Church (Acts 2:41-47). Adding implies identity. In Acts 2 we see individuals aligning themselves with a group of people with a distinct purpose in mind. New Testament local Churches were able to identify those who were committed “among them” and those who were not (1 Corinthians 5:1-2; 1 Peter 5:1-3). Church membership can be broadly summarized (from the texts listed below) by words like partnership, responsibility, commitment, binding relationships, accountability, oversight, edification, care and worship.
#2) Church ministry decisions need the affirmation of a recognized Church membership. In Acts 6:1-5 the Church chose certain individuals to be deacons. It appears that the Church publicly affirmed these men. Church membership clearly delineates who can be part of those public affirmations and who cannot. While many good people live in Charleston, West Virginia, it is important that those determining our Church direction be committed to our direction and values. At Randolph Street Church, every member is in agreement with our Membership Statement of Faith.
#3) Individual accountability must be provided through Church membership. Each Christian needs the people of God around him to hold him accountable and keep him disciplined in the Scriptures (Matthew 18:15-18; 1 Corinthians 5:1-2; James 5:19-20). Membership provides such an avenue to foster spiritual discipleship (Acts 2:42; 14:21-23; Hebrews 10:19-25). We see the positive side of this beautiful aspect of discipline and accountability in passages like 2 Corinthians 2:1-8.
#4) Church membership is indicated through the command to provide organized care for those who are hurting (1 Timothy 5:3-16; James 5:13-16). While many Christians live in Charleston (and we want to serve as many of them as possible), the people of Randolph Street Church must see their need to first serve those of this particular household of faith (Galatians 6:14). Again, James indicates an identifiable membership with words like "among you" and "one another" (James 5:13-16). Receiving the care of a Church family can be a heavenly experience (Rom 12-16; Eph 4) as we:
- identify with fellow believers (Eph. 2:19; 1 Pet. 2:9-12),
- work hard to build genuine friendships (Rom. 16:1-6; James 5:16; Proverbs 27:17),
- share our burdens with others (Gal. 6:1-5, 10; Ecc. 4:9-10; Acts 4:32-37),
- pray with others (Acts 12:5-12; Rom. 15:30; 1 Tim. 2:1; 5:5),
- financially support local and world evangelism with a family of believers (1 Cor. 16:1-2; Phil. 4:14-18), and
- discover and exercise our God-given gifts (Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Tim. 4:14; 1 Peter 4:10).
#5) God holds pastors/elders responsible to provide care for their members (Hebrews 13:7, 17; Acts 20:28-29). Elders are to shepherd the flock that is “among” them (I Peter 5:1-5; Acts 20:28). Pastors cannot know their members without some sort of identifying mechanism. The elders of Randolph Street Church maintain a membership list to remind them for whom they will given account to God. Every Christian should be under the spiritual care of a qualified group of elders.
Local Church membership is for those who publicly evidence repentance of sin and faith in Christ alone as their Savior and Lord (Acts 2:38-41; I Cor. 1:3, 13-17; I Thess. 1:1; I Tim 5:9; Hebrews 10:25; Acts 8:35-39; 10:47, 48; 16:32-34; 22:16). While no Church member is sinless and while all must continually grow more into the image of Christ, Church membership is for those who strive to live according to the Scriptures with the help and care of their covenant family (Matthew 18:15-18; 2 Thess. 3:6-15).
Mark Dever has said, "I don't care how much you cry during singing or preaching, if you do not live a life marked by love towards others, the Bible has no encouragement for you to think that you're a Christian. None. Do you want to know that your new life is real? Commit yourself to a local group of saved sinners. Try to love them. Don't just do it for 3 weeks. Don't just do it for 6 months. Do it for years. And I think you'll find out, and others will too, whether or not you love God. The truth will show itself." (Dever, quoted by Joshua Harris in Stop Dating the Church, p. 44)
Click here to learn more about the four steps to joining the Randolph Street Church family.
Listen to Pastor Jason's 2-part sermon on Church membership click below: