The Must Have Reference List For Church Networks
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Church membership is a little uncomfortable for some Christians. The formal declaration and process is not a biblical mandate. Membership affiliates church attenders with a particular congregation. Membership also serves to organize, protect and govern the local church community. In Romans 12:5 we read, 'so in Christ we, even though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.' The New Testament clearly encourages this format of community, though the church activities mentioned within the Book cooperative of independent churches Acts look nothing like church membership today.
What Believers Did before Membership - An important principle in church membership is covenant. Merriam Webster defines covenant as: a written agreement or promise usually under seal between two or more parties specifically for the performance of some action. As we look at covenant biblically, it addresses agreements for friendship, provision, protection, love and/or resources between the parties. These covenant responsibilities are essential parts of church membership. Believers in covenant watched out for their neighbor.
For folks operating in covenant in a church community today, the needs of members may include socializing, learning, counseling, or simply wanting a venue to serve others. Likewise, each church has a mission for their part in spreading the Gospel and employs both staff and volunteers to that end. As within any assembly, the necessity for discipline and maintaining order remain in everyone's best interest. Staff and leadership are established to train volunteers, organize activities, and protect the weak and vulnerable.
Developing Church Organizations - At this point, Church membership has been used as a gauge to look for the financial strength of Church organizations. Churches looking to finance real-estate or borrow money for capital investments have been bank qualified according to the history of their members' giving. Members likewise are encouraged to give liberally in line with the benefits that most churches pass along in the type of a tax deduction. The principles of tithing, giving alms and offerings, and helping the needy are Biblical teachings that members are encouraged to participate in for the spiritual advantage of the person as well as the practical advantage of the community.
Accountability in the Local Church Body - Many congregants willingly establish covenant with a local church, conversely, they do not always see themselves personally in covenant with each of the church's individual members. Matthew 18:15 teaches: "If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault just between the 2 of you. Should they listen to you, you have won them over. In the area of accountability, some have reservations about being subject to the scrutiny of their congregational peers. Likewise you'll find individuals that do not see themselves as their 'brother's keeper'.
Cultural Influences - While the practical applications of church membership are far reaching, its' spiritual implications are immeasurable. The adoption of bylaws, corporate structuring as well as the 501(c)3 status have established a framework for scaling church membership. In some congregations, members vote on different issues. In others, their decisions are made with Boards of Directors and/or Elders. The concept of member voting is an extremely democratic twist to the Biblical practice of casting lots, a subtle shift from 'I am' God to 'we the people'.
