Church Membership
Twelve Reasons Why Membership Matters
By Jonathan Leeman | 9Marks Journal: Church Membership: Holding the Body Together | 04.28.2011The Christian life in the New Testament is church life. Christians today should expect and desire the same.
Book Review: The Church and the Surprising Offense of God’s Love, by Jonathan Leeman
Review by Tim Chester | 9Marks Journal: Church Membership: Holding the Body Together | 04.28.2011I was asked to review this book as a “friendly dissenter,” but I have struggled to dissent. So now I am worried. What is it that I am supposed to have objected to?
Joining a Church the Ancient Way: From Clement to Egeria
By Michael A. G. Haykin | 9Marks Journal: Church Membership: Holding the Body Together | 04.28.2011As it was in the earliest days of the Christian faith, so it is again: entry into a local church should be by way of catechism, creed, and baptism—and in that order.
Is Church Membership Biblical?
By Matt Chandler | 9Marks Journal: Church Membership: Holding the Body Together | 04.28.2011If there is no understanding of local church membership, then who are we to submit to and obey? Is it anyone with the title “elder” from any church?
For the Parachurch: Know the Difference Between Families & Soccer Teams
By Byron Straughn | 9Marks Journal: Church and Parachurch: Friends or Foes? | 03.01.2011The gospel helps us to see that belonging to a church is like belonging to a family, while working for a parachurch is more like playing for a soccer team.
Theological Critique of Multi-Site: What Exactly Is a “Church”?
By Jonathan Leeman | 9Marks Journal: Multi-site Churches | 09.30.2010What’s the difference between a church and three Christian friends throwing Frisbee at the local park?
Does being a member of a church mean I’m a Christian?
9MarksNo. Turning from your sin and trusting in Christ makes you a Christian, not being a member of a church.
However, church membership is meant to be a church’s corporate affirmation of your profession of faith in Christ. Membership is supposed to be the church saying, “We’ve looked at your life. We’ve heard your testimony and your explanation of the gospel. You look like a Christian to us, so we’re happy to affirm you as a Christian, welcome you as a brother in Christ, and care for you and watch over you.”
Is a Christian obligated to treat members of his church any differently than he treats other Christians?
9MarksThe apostle Paul urges Christians to do good to all men, especially those who are of the household of faith (Gal. 6:10). But the Bible also seems to indicate that Christians have a special responsibility to love, admonish, and care for those who are members of their local church.
What activities in the church should be reserved for members?
9MarksMust someone be a church member before being allowed to serve?
9MarksMany churches attempt to adopt an inviting and warm posture by allowing both non-Christians and prospective Christian members to serve publicly in the church. Certainly outreach is a good motive. But is this the whole picture? We believe that public acts of service—like serving in the nursery, teaching children, leading music, teaching adult Sunday school, and leading a small group—should be reserved for members of the church. Why?
