Belonging: Church Membership

Intro

Why do we need church membership?

TV Tropes (on phone)

DTR

Trope: words or phrases repeated so many times they become commonplace or even cliche.

Tropes speak to your heart—we’ve all dealt with this to some degree.

The best advice is to DTR so as not to allow yourself to fantasize about a relationship that cannot be.

Undefined relationships end in ruin.

All relationships require DTR, a social contract, whether formal or informal, to thrive.

In the church, the DTR is church membership.

Does the Bible teach church membership?

They knew who was in and out. ()

Acts 2:41 CSB

So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added to them.

Revoking membership (, —appeal to Jewish communities, proto-churches)

1 Corinthians 5:4–5 CSB

When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus, and I am with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, hand that one over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.

Matthew 18:17 CSB

If he doesn’t pay attention to them, tell the church. If he doesn’t pay attention even to the church, let him be like a Gentile and a tax collector to you.

The number of local churches complicates matters (loose vs. official membership).

The major difference in how membership is practiced today is that a profession of faith and baptism placed you in a body until or unless you left the faith or were excommunicated for some atrocious reason. Today, we ask for you to join by your own volition. The change is circumstantial and has to do with the presence of so many churches in a local area.

Why do we need church membership?

The ‘in’ have responsibility to weigh in on the decisions of the church, even though the elders make the ultimate decisions. (, , )

Acts 15:12 CSB

The whole assembly became silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul describe all the signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.

Acts 15:19 CSB

Therefore, in my judgment, we should not cause difficulties for those among the Gentiles who turn to God,

Acts 15:22 CSB

Then the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, decided to select men who were among them and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas, called Barsabbas, and Silas, both leading men among the brothers.

Acts 15:12, 19, 22

It communicates to members who is to be cared for. ()

Galatians 6:2 CSB

Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

There are practices that require an identified local church. (NO SLIDES—Gonna move quick)

Pastoring a local congregation () Who does the pastor lead?

Supporting sister churches () We can’t support that church if we don’t know who is in this church.

Setting an example of faith for other churches () This church must be established in order for others to recognize it.

Participation with other local churches ()

Unified in doctrine (unity of mind) ()

What is the Church Member Covenant?

Define Covenant: Akadian beritu, meaning to fetter (to bind with chains) or simply to bind together.

I covenant to...

submit to the teaching of the Scriptures as the final authority on all issues (; ; ).

pursue the Lord Jesus Christ through regular Bible reading, prayer, fellowship and practice of spiritual disciplines (; ; ; ; ).

follow the command and example of Jesus by participating in the practices of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. (, )

regularly participate in the activity of Sonrise Church by attending weekly services, engaging in gospel-centered community and serving those within and outside of this church (; ; ).

be responsible with the resources God has given me, including time, talents, spiritual gifts and finances, including regular financial giving, service and participation in community that is sacrificial, cheerful and voluntary (; ; ; ).

take seriously the responsibility of Christian freedom, especially actions or situations that could present a stumbling block to another member of the church ().

practice my faith in public by refraining from activities that the Scriptures portray as sinful or foolish and loving my neighbor as myself in order to lead others to the truth (, , ).

submit to the discipline of God through His Holy Spirit by submitting to biblical procedures for restoration and discipline by the church members. (; ; ; ).

submit to the elders and other appointed leaders of the church and diligently strive for unity and peace within the church (; ; ).

notify the elders should I leave Sonrise Church for any reason and to seek another church.

EXH: If we are going to belong to each other, we must covenant together.

ILL: As marriage is a covenant that God establishes, we are so bound in membership that we are said to be in covenant with one another.