Bible Question: 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? |
Bible Answer: Beingstill: Welcome to the Study Bible Forum. Most churches that have membership do require a person to be a member before a person can take any leadership role. There is accountability to one another in becoming a member and there is the responsibility of the pastor for those under his authority. The book of Acts says that 3,000 were added to the members there one time, so there was a record of those who belonged there. Even in worldly organizations like the Elks, Moose, DAV, and many more membership is required to participate, should churches expect anything less? Perhaps your pastor has allowed you to assume roles that are open just for members, and was hoping you would be ready for a commitment to the church and his leadership? It sounds to me that you all were aware of church membership, and have enjoyed the blessings of the fellowship there for at least two years. I find it rather odd that after two years you are not ready to become members, so there must be some reason for not joining the church. If saw this kind of hessitation of people who were attending for two years and who enjoyed the benefits the church had to offer, I would want to ask why they had not joined as well. I would not become angry, and I would ask what might be your reason for not joining. That seems reasonable to me. However, the pastors other remarks on the surface seem uncalled for and unbiblical. Generally speaking if someone is reluctant to join churches there is some reason. Most gererally there has been a problem somewhere in a church in the past. Joining a church is not signing a contract for life, it should be not be entered into lightly, but not so serious as to require more than Christ would ask of us. If after two years of attending this church you do not feel led to join, and after what the pastor said, I would look and seek where the Lord wanted me to become a part of. If you all just do not want a church that has membership, there are churches that do not have membership. Calvary Chapel being one, I know of. I hope this helps some, blessings. justme |