Since becoming the pastor at my church, there have been a few things I've changed about how we operate. One of these changes concerns membership. In our denomination, it is very easy to become a member of a church. All you have to do is come forward during the service and proclaim your faith in Jesus with words such as, "Jesus is the Christ, my Lord and my God." There are no tests of doctrine, just a confession of faith similar to ones of the Apostles Peter and Thomas in the Bible. (Compare this to churches where doctrinal agreement or submission is required.)
I'm cool with that, but I realized that the members of the church didn't have a clue as to what it meant to be a member. They didn't know anything about the church other than what they've seen on Sunday morning. And most of them didn't know anything about the denomination.
So, while we were modifying our church constitution and bylaws, we stated that attendance at a membership class was also necessary to becoming a member of the church. Now, over the past year, I've taught four classes (each three hours long). We've had over 40 people join the church in the past 1 1/2 years. That means we've doubled in size!
What are the membership requirements of your church? Have you gone through a membership class? Have you proclaimed your faith in front a congregation before?
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Comments (35)
Be a member to love Jesus!
Bible fail.
The church I attend does not have membership, but there is a commitment form/application if someone wanted to teach or work with the kids.
There's nothing in the bible about being a member of a local church. However, I Cor. 12:12 says - "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ."
Biblically, you do not have to do anything but affirm you believe in Christ. Not knowing much more than that can become dangerous though for the Christian.
Before the Great Awakenings the swept America and Europe, in order to become a member of the church one had to study and contemplate Scripture so it was an intellectual as well as emotional choice. During the Awakening revivals people were converted purely on spur-of-the-moment emotions and it become a common-and easy-way of converting people. As a result, the Christian masses during the humanistic battles of the late 1800s and 1900s were completely unprepared to defend their faith and generally looked like uneducated fools.
It shouldn't be a requirement, but people should be strongly encouraged to know their doctrine and know how to defend their faith.
Becoming a member is vitally important. Especially in this day of zero accountability! To not join says alot about the persons attitude I think. How can a Shepperd properly lead his flock if he doesn't know them?
Our church does have a three day membership class. In order to join you need to attend BUT you do not need to hold to a lot of our doctrines. We are then examined by an Elder in order to assertain where we are in our faith (ie believer or not). Then we are asked to make a public confession before the congregation.
@snarkius@xanga - Well said! Charles Finney the mind behind that movement. Emotional conversion by any means necessary over actual confession and belief.
@MC_Shann@xanga - No it's not.
In my congregation we take a Church and Gospel class that is led by the elders. In this class people learn the basics of theology (who is God, what is man, what is sin, what is the Bible, what is salvation etc) and the position of the congregation on those issues. At the end of the class (sometimes it is several weeks and sometimes they have one long all day session) you sign a form that says something about how you've learned all the stuff and that you're dedicated to being an active part of the congregation. There is no public declaration or ceremony or announcement. I think that's too bad.
i am not a member of any church, I am a member of the Family of God.
I do not agree with going through some membership program so that I can say "I belong here". I also do not agree with having to follow man-made rules or "doctrines" in church. We have enough of that in our day to day lives. The only doctrine I need is my Bible.
I have read the Bible front to back, and there is nothing in there about being a member of specific church. As a Christian, I a member of THE CHURCH, and all I had to do was give my life to Christ.
I have never taken part in communion, because I believe that the true meaning of it has been lost (this is the church I currently attend, I do not intend this comment to other churches) and it has become nothing more then a ritual.
I know where I stand with God, and I don't need a membership card or other piece of paper to know that my name is written in the Lamb's Book Of Life, the ULTIMATE Member Directory.
These are just my beliefs and opinions. Please feel free to disagree.
Oh, and I do not tithe to our church either because I disagree with what they use the money for. Instead, we ask God where to use the money, often its given in the form of groceries (or other needed items) to families in our community.
I'd like to know why anyone should become a member of a church. What is the point? Just curious if you have the time to write about that eventually. :)
I don't regularly attend any one particular church at the moment as I'm still in transition. I am a college student, while I am a 3rd year and theoretically probably should have found a church home by now, I didn't. So, I'm still searching. I've been attending one for a while now though, however, I have no idea what the membership requirements are. I don't know that I want to be a member.
The church I attended before going to college, though, I attended for 2 years. I never became a member, but the requirements were to either be baptised in the church, transfer your membership from another baptist church, or have some kind of faith-meeting with the pastor. I think you had to have a meeting with him no matter what though, and possibly take a class. I'm not sure exactly. I think you may have also had to be 18 (or your parents were members; mine don't attend church), which I wasn't when I attended except for just before leaving for college. I attended the church after my freshman year when I was home for the summer though as well.
I have never made a public profession of faith in front of a congregation.
If it floats your boat, go ahead and grab a membership card.
I just think @ShimmerBodyCream@xanga - is right on this one. One's faith should not be ascertained by membership to a particular church.
It seems rather odd to me that it's an issue at all. If you believe, then you believe and no one has any right to say you don't believe enough or have to prove yourself more in order to be welcomed into a church.
@ashleyannaka@xanga - "I'd like to know why anyone should become a member of a church. What is the point?"
Good question: to me, everything in the Bible points to a communion of believers involving worship of our Loving God in Church, with Jesus as our Leader, our Head, our King -- I see this in the Catholic Church. To me, that's the point of going to Church, and it's a small thing to submit to Church authority. To me, finding Jesus without finding the Church would be the same as not finding him...
@monobeam@xanga - Now begs the question, what then do you mean by church?
I attend a Homegroup on Thursday evenings. This is a group of 15-20 followers of Christ meeting together in someone's home. We get together and worship. We also have a short message each week (from whoever feels led to speak- about whatever they feel led to speak - usually a passage that's been on their heart and maybe what it means to them and then a challenge to think about it yourself). We also then meet in what we call lifegroups which is a group of 3-6 of the same-sex persons discussing our walks with the Lord or what we've learned recently, etc. I find it very uplifting. It's very free, unlike most church services I've been to.
I also go to church on Sunday though, but I definitely feel like I grow more in Him and learn more at my Homegroup.
Your response didn't really answer my original question though of why we should become a MEMBER of the church.
I've not taken the membership class for the church I'm at now. In fact, at the last church I went to, which was in another state, I didn't end up taking the membership class until I was required to before taking the leadership class to become a small group leader. I'm glad I took the classes, but it didn't make me feel any more connected to the church than I already was. I see the purpose and the need for those kinds of instruction to give someone a sense of belonging and to help them make an official commitment to that particular church, but having not taken the class didn't seem to do much to hinder my relationship with the community or leadership there. Maybe it depends on the church? I don't know, really!
@ashleyannaka@xanga - hello!
In answer to your question. I used to be a person who thought I didn't need to become a member of any local church. I was wrong. My heart was wrong too! Membership done with a right heart brings accountability, and proper biblical submission to the Elders and Deacons the Lord has placed over us. Not the kind of submission like a slave or mindless follower but rather one rooted in pursuing holiness and godly behavior. A Pastor is often described as a Shepperd and a Shepperd should know his sheep! Membership helps this immensely (especially if your in a larger church). And as a Shepperd they are trained and well versed in the scriptures and theology. So much more than those in the congregation or our small group friends. They have the honor and "duty" to interpret the word correctly in order to feed us. It is no easy task.
Perhaps you might not agree with how your church is spending it's money? Well, give anyway. The Lord will bless your good faith and hold those above you accountable for what they do. Membership aids in building authentic community. Community where the leaders can connect their flock with other members who can help is certain situations or needs. Most people who are against membership tend to be users. Sucking away at the tit but not giving back.
Do not fear attending any class a church offers. They are usually for the purpose of informing you about what doctrines they hold to and the history behind their particular denomination. meeting with the pastor or Elder is usually done in order to get to know you and see where you are in your faith. They want to discern whether or not you are trusting in Christ for your salvation. Something that is KEY to all Christian churches. The meeting I had with my Elder was awesome! We went on to build a great friendship and he mentored me for several years.
Grace and peace!
~Michael
Before anyone is accepted into the church of Jesus Christ by baptism, they must receive lessons discussing the doctrines as given by the Lord, they must study and seek and receive a witness from the Holy Spirit as to the truth of those doctrines, and they must show a willingness to be obedient to the commandments of the Lord.
It is quite common for the members of the church throughout the world to get up in their monthly Fast and Testimony services and share their witness and testimony of the Lord and His truth.
@MC_Shann@xanga - Thank you for the reply. I am not against being a member, I just didn't know what the point REALLY was. I don't really want to phrase it this way because I'm not seeking "rewards" or anything, but what the "benefit" was.
I believe I have accountability via my homegroup (that I mentioned previously). Actually, I definitely do. It is run by a church, though. It's their form of small groups or maybe Sunday school, but not on Sunday. It's more or less a time of challenge, mainly. Although, we are all around the same age, 17-25 (all college students). The leaders though have been chosen by the church elders and what-not. I'm not sure what kind of process they have to go through to become a leader though. Anyway, I have indeed attended the church that sponsors the homegroup, but I've only been a few times. Membership would maybe be something I'd consider in the future, although, since I am a college student and graduating in a year and a half...I'll be moving then. :P
"The meeting I had with my Elder was awesome! We went on to build a great friendship and he mentored me for several years." - Awesome! I have that with my homegroup leader...or at least, we're getting there. I just joined this semester, but many of the leaders have definitely helped me in tremendous ways. :)
Membership of a church, is a humanistic approach of faith in Jesus.
God does not require people to become members of churches.
It's a cutting sword that works both ways:
1- It protects the churchfrom 'unscreened' individuals to minister in the church, and thus eg: a drunk guy coming up with a brawl instead of a message - scenario is avoided.
2- but it also cuts off those who are called by God to do things in a church. If someone called by God (as a visitor) has a message to the church, he can no longer relay that message to the church, because he's no member.
In the past God has used me tremendous to bridge gaps between churches. This required me to travel to a lot of churches and congregations at times.
But on the most part, I've been part of 2 churches. None of which I called my home church, but both I visited frequently. In one church, I was getting to hear the word of Jesus, and was established in my faith, in the other I was there to minister.
But the church where I was hearing the word, and getting established, wanted me to become a member and visit every sunday, or at least regularly.
On top of that, the other church where I was to minister, the elders of the church (or 2 individuals) came up with the same ideas as yours. I came to the church often (not every sunday), was in the prayer meetings some times, and even called that church my home church!
But the elders stood on the fact that I didn't visit bible studies which where unable for me to reach.
In all those 8 years that I attended the church, the only ministry they entrusted me was doing the sound, because the soundguy stood on it, because he was involved in too many things at that time,and saw I could do a pretty fine job there!
But all my potential was locked for 8 years, and for 8 years I had to bounce against the elders who refused to hear the word 'change'. Only 2 or 3 of the 11 elders they had in that church, prevented the growth of that church by their laws, and endless requirements, to preach, to play an instrument in church, to even share a message in one of the cellgroups etc...
To this day that church is very grey, no colors, almost no progress, because of those old wineskins.
God instead opened a door to a church, that was less humanistic, and open for anyone willing to serve the Lord!
Ofcourse, not preach or play music all at once from your first sunday, but they allowed you to do something on a thursday meeting. When that was alright, you could serve on sundays.
I ministered there for about 2 to 3 years, until God called me somewhere else.
Humans always want to 'control' God's free Spirit, always want to create boundaries, defining what can and what can't.
Usually a church that requires membership,is not very far off from requiring people what to wear, and what not to wear, and deciding their position or job in the church according to their attendance and not according to their God given skills,or desires...
A system squeezes the life out of God's church, and inevitably creates religion.
But to answer your questions:
What are the membership requirements
of your church?
Regular attendance of the services, and if possible, attendance on some weekday activities
Have you gone through a membership class?
We have no such thing, and lucky I have never had a church that had a membership class!
Have you
proclaimed your faith in front a congregation before?
On the day I got baptized. Church people see you by your fruit, not by your proclamation.
@MC_Shann@xanga - "How can a Shepperd properly lead his flock if he doesn't know them?"
By trusting The Great Shepherd!
If he does not know Jesus, he will lead his sheep by himself. Those who know Jesus, can hear of Jesus.
I've seen too many churches where a pastor or leader is in control.
God does not want a pastor in control,
A pastor or leader is there to support and serve his congregation,into equipping them to do the job.
Ofcourse, in a perfect world,there is no need for a leader, because God will be the leader of all mankind.
So the church as a congregation, building, and organization, is there to channel and focus, and teach people to become tuned into God's frequency! The more they hear the right stuff, the less control there needs to be!
@LadyGwenivere@xanga - "I have never taken part in communion,
because I believe that the true meaning of it has been lost (this is
the church I currently attend, I do not intend this comment to other
churches) and it has become nothing more then a ritual."
You need to know that communion is entirely dependent on your own heart and attitude towards the matter. I agree that there is much religion and tradition,but that should not stop you from taking communion the best way in the situation you can.
It's not really about the bread and the wine, it's about remembering Jesus, by breaking of the bread,an example Jesus set before us as one of his last memories on earth.
But concerning the bread and the wine:
The original communion was not a tiny cracker with a miniscule wine cup.
but many churches just don't have the resources to lay a table for their congregation to eat and have fellowship with eachother.
I remember in a small home group, which a woman ran with her husband doing the praise, at one day,she just went to the bakery, bought 3 or 4 huge gigantic loafs of bread, and a couple of bottles of grape juice, because some people where alcoholics before, and others loathed the taste of alcohol, and we ate and had fellowship together, and it was the first time I've ever experienced the last supper or communion like this!
But honestly, the church could do a lot better, by just increasing the size of the bread, and by purchasing regular plastic cups,and some soft drink. It much more accurately represent current day and time,and it brings up the cost of a communion from $12 for a winebottle, and $8 for the crackers or bread to $8 for the softdrinks and $20 for 5 loafs of bread for a 300 man congregation. That's only $8more!
For a congregation of 1000 man that could be more of a problem, but still not really.
We pay hundreds of dollars per month on airco costs, but can't pay $50 for a large meal to celebrate supper?
@musterion99@xanga - @skylar_rose@xanga - @ProDigit - @ashleyannaka@xanga - @skylar_rose@xanga -
Many of the responses on here are idealist. "Membership isn't in the Bible." No, of course not, neither is Christmas, Xanga or The United State of America. God doesn't require a lot of things but we still do them and recognize them as beneficial. No one is forcing anyone to do it (hopefully), but it can be beneficial on many accounts. Hopefully, Christians can recognize the benefit.
Here's why I think it is a good thing (again, not required, just beneficial): Church membership is beneficial because when a person joins, it makes a statement about commitment. It means, "I'm not just going to walk out if things get tough. I'm committed to this local family of believers." Especially in our day, when promises are broken are so easily and even Christians have a hard time submitting to authorities, the accountability of church membership is important.
As a pastor, it is extremely important to know who is "in" and who is just coming because it is nice. We don't operate like the Catholic Church, whereby all the baptized are "in" whether they want to be or not. For us, there is more of a voluntary aspect. Becoming a member is saying "yes" to that local church. All the other members will hold us accountable to letting our "yes" be "yes." For regular visitors (non-members), we cannot hold them accountable, they've not made that choice. They may participate and even lead, but not as deacons, elders, or pastors. For example, one lady at my church has taught children for over 10 years. She is not a member.
Also, given the country we live in. All non-profit incorporations (churches), must have a governing board and a membership roll. So, legally, it is required too. Everyone who is a member at my church, for example, legally co-owns the property.
I'm interested in hearing replies as to "how is membership itself a bad thing?" The argument, "it is not in the Bible," is unsatisfactory.
The church that I am a member of now, I became a member, when I asked to be baptized. I had never been baptized, and wanted to be baptized, so I went up on Easter Sunday in '99 and asked to be baptized. There is no membership classes to attend before hand. We do have a new christian sunday school class taught by the pastor, which is frequently off subject, as it is set up without a curriculum, you are free to ask questions, comment and other such.
My mother joined after I did, and she joined when she walked up, during the invitation at the end of service, and asked to join the class, pastor asked if she had been baptized, she said yes, and that was it.
Church isn't a club.
If you are a Christian, you are part of the Church. If a local congregation doesn't think that is good enough, they need to pull the sticks out of their asses.
@ProDigit - "you need to know..... " well thank you but I do know this. I have put a lot of thought and prayer into this over the last 20 years I've been a Christian. And I do not feel lead by Holy Spirit to participate in this ritual in a church.
there are other ways to celebrate (such as breaking bread with other believers outside of church, much like you described) and we do this frequently.
its not about the money, its not about what type of bread or drink is served, my issue is with the heart of the church and the way it is done. Not about the act itself. And I feel the very act is so far removed from the basic meaning and beauty of it that I cannot participate because it makes me feel ill.
@soy_esteban@xanga -
"Church membership is beneficial because when
a person joins, it makes a statement about commitment. It means, "I'm
not just going to walk out if things get tough. I'm committed to this
local family of believers.""
This in my eyes is useless! Noone knows what tomorrow brings, so why make a commitment to something, if you don't know if tomorrow something might happen or maybe God calls you elsewhere?
You are always to be committed for the time you are somewhere to make the best out of what you can; there's really no reason to join a club, or sign contracts for that; but too many people are stuck into a system they should have stepped out of long ago, to make room for others who truly ARE called to that place for that time!
You see, the purpose of the church is to grow and mature the people, not so that one person can hold a post for the rest of his life (with at times the benefits and assurance that the post (or whatever office, job, task or work) brings).
Second,"who is "in"" is determined by who God appoints for that time, and if the pastor knows Jesus, and loves his people, he will try to find a variety of works and responsibilities for the right person to do concerning ministry.
David was punished by God because he counted how many fighting men he had in his kingdom; see 1 Chronicles 21.
As far as elders, deacons and pastors, the situation is different!
God literally calls certain people for that task, and usually does so in the long term.
Those people, being called as a pastor, or deacon, know that they can't just move out, but form one of the pillars from the church. But even for them, God can call someone to be a deacon for 6 months, and then move him elsewhere where the need is greater!
No future should be fixed on a man made system. When I married my wife, I don't stay with her because I publicly claimed I would, I stay with her because God gave her to me and reverse, and because I so much love her, I stay with her. Regardless of marriage vows or papers.
Marriage vows and papers are not meaning much to God!
Neither does having a large organization or structure called 'church'.
Taking life out of the church, and replacing it with a system always brings religion, tradition, and problems in the long run... So you can not avoid problems by creating a structure, simply moving them aside for the time being...
Properties and co-heirs are determined by God too. If God calls a person to build a church or pay for a church on his name, he will be the earthly heir, an ambassador entrusted with a property.
Even if he moves out he will be responsible for the property until he sells it. It has nothing to do with belief in God, it's just basic laws and regulations concerning property rights of that particular country the building is in.
I see no reason why a deacon should be any different then any other minister. His task is not different or are not more than any other,simply because he's on the pulpit every sunday!
In a large church, in order to find the right person, papers and votes can be done for co-pastors, and deacons. But we should minimize humanistic structure as much as possible in a church to let God be as free as possible!
Otherwise we might claim that the church we raised is ours (as opposed to God's house).
Didn't HE provide for the resources and ways to get the church as a church in the first place?
Then don't claim it!
I've seen pastors carrying on the banner to a newer generation, or to a totally different person, and selling their building for the money it would take to do the paperwork, because they felt they had no right to ask for money for the house of God.
And they are right...
Unfortunately most people do sell the house of God once they retire, and have no heir to give it to.
In USA a property must be claimed by at least one person. That person is responsible for the building, be it through hiring or through owning.
That does not differ for an organization.
If that person dies,it's family will inherit the building, save if there's a will involved.
It's that simple.
To prevent that a bad family would inherit such a building, often 2 or 3 persons are responsible for the building.
That does not mean that these people need to be a member of that church!
They can have another church building somewhere and serve God there!
No amount of paperwork, or joining groups is going to guarantee that all members are going to keep on walking in the right path, and living for God!
I really see no problem with God governing everything...
Because the people wanted a King, and rejected God, God gave them a king, and Saul of Tarsus became their king...
@LadyGwenivere@xanga - I agree with you fully; Me and my wife feel exactly the same, and I just addressed this to our church thanks to your reply.
(not that it would guarantee a solution though)
Regardless of how the event is being done, it is ours to participate in it, and encourage each other in it.
The best thing you can do is ask your pastor if nothing can be done to improve that experience.
Unless you have some sort of an answer to the problem, it is not suited to criticize something.
It is good to bring up the topic, but if it's as much as an issue for you, as it is for me, than it's your responsibility to bring this to your pastor, and suggest other ideas; and also tell him how you feel about it.
It is obvious that not everybody is standing still with the thought that perhaps something ritualistic is happening during the last supper; much like you probably don't think twice about using a fork or knife while eating.
If there is a better way, be part of finding a solution.
I got a good response from one person in my church just now,
At the back of the church we have a small restaurant, also used for the school.
We often have charity meals there, and family meals. To do the last supper there, would be an idea.
Challenging rituals and traditions is not easy. You'd have to move aside something you've been doing for years, to make room for something you (the church) don't know,or is not familiar with.
To do that would take someone who is able to integrate the change without causing a catastrophe.
Many are not feeling called, and would have no idea about how to do it better!
Get yourself involved in church, in this area, to talk about possible solutions how you DO can celebrate the last supper without having that feeling of 'fake' or 'tradition'.