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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Church membership...a requirement? | Bible general Archive 4 | Beingstill | 209351 | ||
What, if anything, does God say about church membership? My family has been going to a church for two years, but have not become members. We attend every service, are extremely active in several ministries there, tithe faithfully, and are always willing to help out in ANY way we can. Our pastor asked my husband yesterday when we planned on joining the church. My husband said, as nicely as he could, that he did not feel led of the Lord to join just now. Our pastor got angry and said that everything that we do for God meant nothing without being a member of a church, and that we would not receive any eternal blessings for any of it? WHAT? We just want to see lost people find Jesus, that would be our greatest reward. Does anyone know where he is getting that from? | ||||||
2 | Church membership...a requirement? | Bible general Archive 4 | azurelaw | 209392 | ||
Dear Beingstill, I agree with Brother Tim that you should talk to your pastor how you feel about his comment for clarification. Furthermore, I like what C.S. Lewis said in his Mere Christianity, which I think pretty relevant to your question and concern about church membership. "It is more like a hall out of which doors open into several rooms. If I can bring anyone into that hall I shall have done what I atempted. But it is in the rooms, not in the hall, that there are fires and chairs and meals. The hall is a place to wait in, a place from which to try the various doors, not a place to live in. For that purpose the worst of the rooms (whichever that may be) is, I think, preferable. It is true that some people may find they have to wait in the hall for a considerable time, while others feel certain almost at once which door they must knock at. I do not know why there is this difference, but I am sure God keeps no one waiting unless He sees that it is good for him to wait. When you do get into your room you will find that the long wait has done you some kind of good which you would not have had otherwise. But you must regard it as waiting, not as camping. You must keep on praying for light: and, of course, even in the hall, you must begin trying to obey the rules which are common to the whole house. And above all you must be asking which door is the true one; not which pleases you best by its paint and panelling. In plain language, the question should never be : 'Do I like that kind of service?' but 'Are these doctrines true: Is holiness here? Does my conscience move me towards this? Is my reluctance to knock at this door due to my pride, or my mere taste, or my personal dislike of this particular door-keeper?'" --- C.S. Lewis I would also recommend you the below link for your further study concerning church membership issues. http://marks.9marks.org/Mark6/LessonC/Slide1of2 Shalom Azure |
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3 | Church membership...a requirement? | Bible general Archive 4 | stjohn | 209420 | ||
Dear Azure: I like what C.S. Lewis Says about "camping in the hallway" it gives a picture that it would be good to remain there and perhaps even fun for others who may be looking for a Church home. So, if we are not in a Church, we should at least make it known that this is not a comfortable place to be. Here where I live in the woods, we sometimes have problems with what we call squatters, and the authorities have to move them along after they have been camping too long. Sometimes, camping can sure look like we are setting up residency. :-) By the way I've recently added to my library, a copy of [9Marks of a Healthy Church] and it's sequel [The Deliberate Church] Also by Dr Mark Dever. A must read for any Pastor, Elder, or Deacon who is new to or is building a Church. And Highly recommended for anyone who just wants to know what a healthy Church aught to look like. :-) God bless John |
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4 | Church membership...a requirement? | Bible general Archive 4 | azurelaw | 209465 | ||
Dear John, I have been keeping a list of good christian websites since my joining of the forum and the one 9 Marks of a Healthy Church is included. Truly I enjoy those articles and sermons online. So much treasure in them...yet, time is so limit (sigh!). Shalom Azure |
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5 | Church membership...a requirement? | Bible general Archive 4 | stjohn | 209472 | ||
Sister Azure, we know that our Father keeps books, Phil 4:3, Rev 20:12, so perhaps He has others too, in a place where time is NOT limited. :-) "Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life." Phil 4:3 Shalom and God bless John |
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