New Questions About Independent Churches Answered And Why You Must Read Every Word Of This Report
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Church membership is just a little uncomfortable for some Christians. The formal declaration and process isn't a biblical mandate. Membership affiliates church attenders with a certain congregation. Membership also serves to organize, protect and govern the local church community. In Romans 12:5 we read, 'so in Christ we, however many, form one body, and each member belongs to all of the others.' The New Testament clearly encourages this format of community, however the church activities mentioned within the Book of Acts look nothing like church membership today.
What Believers Did before Membership - An essential principle in church membership is covenant. Merriam Webster defines covenant as: a written agreement or promise usually under seal between two or even more parties particularly for the performance of some action. When we look at covenant biblically, it addresses agreements for friendship, provision, protection, love and/or resources between the parties. These covenant responsibilities are important parts of church membership. Believers in covenant watched out for their neighbor.
For individuals 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 - Nowadays, Church membership has been used as a gauge to ascertain the financial strength of Church organizations. Churches looking to finance real-estate or borrow money for capital investments happen to be bank qualified in line with the history of their members' giving. Members likewise are encouraged to give liberally based on 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 benefit of the individual and the practical benefit of the community.
Accountability in the Local Church Body - Many congregants willingly establish covenant with a local church, on the other hand, 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 click the next web site 2 of you. Should they listen to you, you've got 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 folks that don't see themselves as their 'brother's keeper'.
Cultural Influences - As the practical applications of church membership are far reaching, its' spiritual implications are immeasurable. The adoption of bylaws, corporate structuring and the 501(c)3 status have established a framework for scaling church membership. In certain 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 a really democratic twist to the Biblical practice of casting lots, a subtle shift from 'I am' God to 'we the people'.
