For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,
so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
Romans 12:4-5 (NIV)
The Definition of Church Membership
When an individual is saved, he becomes a member of the body of Christ (1Cor. 12:13). Because he is united to Christ and the other members of the body in this way, he is therefore qualified to become a member of a local expression of that body.
Church membership is a formal relationship between a local church and a Christian characterized by the church’s affirmation and oversight of a Christian’s discipleship and the Christian’s submission to living out his or her discipleship in the care of the church.
Why does church membership matter?
Mark Dever, in his book Nine Marks of a Healthy Church, writes,
Church membership is our opportunity to grasp hold of each other in responsibility and love. By identifying ourselves
with a particular church, we let the pastors and other member of that local church know that we intend to be committed
in attendance, giving, prayer, and service. We allow fellow believers to have great expectations of us in these areas, and
we make it known that we are the responsibility of this local church. We assure the church of our commitment to Christ
in serving with them, and we call for their commitment to serve and encourage us as well.
Church membership is a covenant between the church and the believer in which both commit themselves, their resources, their gifts, and their service to help the group of believers as whole steward their relationship with God.
