by Pastor Patrick Cho

Over the years, we have been able to address some fairly controversial issues at Lighthouse. There is no way of avoiding this if we are committed to preaching verse by verse through the Bible. It’s not like we could just skip the passages that are more difficult or might offend someone. We’ve dealt with the cessation of miraculous sign gifts, biblical masculinity and femininity, believer’s baptism, lordship salvation, and many of issues that have been debated in Christian circles. What is baffling to me is that the topic that stirred the most response and opposition is the importance of church membership.

A few years ago, Pastor John addressed the topic of church membership from the pulpit and many people found it to be offensive. Some wrongfully accused John of telling people to quit their jobs and drop out of school in order to be more committed to the church. Others just dismissed the teaching as unbiblical and unnecessary. It was just confusing because we had previously addressed what I thought were much more “controversial” issues with very little response. Why would a call to church membership cause such a commotion?

I think one reason why people are so opposed to church membership is that they simply haven’t been taught properly about it. They might think it’s a cultish sort of commitment with secret ceremonies complete with dark robes and candles. Or maybe they grew up in church and knew that membership was something their parents got involved with because their family had numbered offering envelopes. Without an understanding of the biblical reasons for membership, I can imagine how some of these negative ideas might have been conjured up.

Another reason why people might be opposed to church membership is that they have had some negative church experience in the past. Perhaps they grew up in a church that eventually experienced an ugly conflict and split. Maybe they were part of a church that didn’t practice biblical love, but instead was backbiting and gossipy. It is true that some people have been significantly hurt by their previous churches, and that is not something I would quickly dismiss.

For most people, though, I feel as though it comes down to a fear of commitment and accountability. They don’t want to become members because they like the freedom to be able to up and leave whenever they feel it would be best. Perhaps they are ignorant of just how self-serving this attitude really is. Church is not about how they might be a blessing to others, but it is simply about what suits them and what is most comfortable to them. Especially when the leaders of the church might one day address some sin issue in their life, rather than go through the difficulties of that, they would rather hang on to their ability to find a new church that wouldn’t be as invasive.

As good or bad as these reasons might be, they still do not address the major concern that God desires His people to be committed to the church. In our membership packet, we list ten reasons why church membership is biblical and should be pursued (and desired!). Certainly, you will not find a specific Bible verse commanding church membership. There is no verse that reads, “Thou shalt become a church member.” Still, the general principles laid throughout the New Testament make a strong case for church membership. Of course, aside from the responsibility of each member to be committed to a local church, there should also be a strong desire to live a life that is in conformity with God’s will that is motivated by a genuine love for Him. Here are those reasons for considering church membership:

1. One of the responsibilities of the local church is to hold its members accountable in their spiritual walks. If someone is serious about personal holiness then they will become a member at a church (Matt. 18:15-20).
2. Most, if not all, of the commands in the New Testament are found in the context of the local church and are to find their application primarily in the local church (e.g. the “one another” commands).
3. The New Testament indicates that when individuals are saved, they are baptized into the church (Acts 2:41; Rom. 12:4-5; 1 Cor. 12:12-13).
4. Scripture calls believers to submit to the authority of the leaders of the church (Heb. 13:17). This can realistically only be practiced in the context of a commitment to the local church especially since there are no longer any leaders of the universal church.
5. The instructions about spiritual giftedness imply church membership. In order for the body to function properly, each member must fulfill its part (1 Cor. 12; Eph. 4). God has gifted each member for loving service in His church (1 Cor. 12-14).
6. Commitment to the church is an obedience issue and obedience brings glory to God (Heb. 10:23-25).
7. The early church practiced a form of membership in that they kept a record of those who were part of their local assemblies (Acts 2; Rom. 16:1).
8. Christ Himself keeps a list of true believers (Rev. 20:12-15).
9. Paul uses specific metaphors to describe the church, such as a body or a building (cf. 1 Cor. 3:9; Eph. 2:21; and 1 Cor. 12:12-27). The metaphors used to describe the church only make sense in the context of church membership.
10. Christ was committed to building His church (Matt. 16:18). Church membership shows true commitment to that which Christ was committed.

Though we would not teach that failure to become a member is necessarily a sin, we recognize that the reasons that people give against membership are oftentimes sinful and self-centered. Many people do not want to commit to the local church because they do not want to be held accountable in their walk of faith. Again, for these people, church is all about them. As soon as things got uncomfortable, they would leave and find someplace else to worship. They would make excuses like, “It’s just time to move on,” or “We just didn’t think this was a good fit,” or “We’re looking for something that would suit us better.” When there is no commitment to the church, poor excuses for leaving a church family are expected.

This is particularly sad because people would gladly and proudly show their allegiance to other less important things like local sports teams and favorite pastimes. It is unfortunate that many Christians would be willing to sign up for membership to a gym or video store but not to church. Some of these other forms of membership even charge membership fees and enforce strict contracts! Even if someone is afraid of church membership because of some bad past experience, if a church strives to operate under biblical principles and for God’s glory, there is no reason why a believer should not commit to it.