Previous posts in this series were based on a pamphlet provided to me in my search for direction regarding local church membership. A brother named Cody sought to help me and I wish him well.
When I replied with the previous responses, I did not hear from him for a period of time. Of course, I feared I may have come off a bit strong, and in the interest of maintaining communication, reached out to him again.
As I have been thinking on this topic, I have considered 9 questions.
One question will be offered for comment in the following posts Consider and respond, or again, if you want to discuss just let me know.
Does Local Church Membership “have its privileges”?
Remember, as believers we are to take our marching orders from the Word, and not lean on the secular world (not even popular credit card commercials) for our wisdom.
I never considered asking my children if they wanted to join the family in order to fully enjoy all the privileges (and responsibilities) of the family. My wife and I just figured they were members of the family due to their birth into our family.
Is this wrong?
Am I missing something?
Our next post will address another question concerning the teaching of loacal church membership. I do hope you will join me in my discussion with Cody, and supply comment or correction from the Word for our mutual edification.
If you read something in this discussion that concerns you, please take the time to send me your comments or reply within the post. I look forward to hearing from you.
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This is a very thought provoking idea presented here. Although I am for organization so we can spread the gospel efficiently as the body of Christ, I don’t think any privileges should be withheld from those who don’t hold membership
I think when it comes to accepting a church office such as deacon, elder, etc, those elected need to be godly men and women who have accepted the gospel and have been baptized into Christ Jesus.
Maybe local church membership is a way of officially keeping track of who is baptized into Christ? At the same time, is keeping track of the numbers not a little like David numbering the people? I don’t know and I have never really thought of these thing before reading this article
I see baptism as being required in the apostolic church to become a member of the body of Christ, but I don’t remember reading of any official membership records being held.
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Good thoughts.
Some churches I have attended will not allow teaching privileges to those who do not formally sign on the dotted line. At bit frustrating at first, but I finally realized I dont need a class to share the good news of a loving God. Just an open life.
Thanks for your thoughts. Always look forward to them. Be blessed.
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If they belong to Christ, then they are family.
Somehow along the way we have allowed cliques to form within congregations.
I don’t believe in having “membership” drives in a congregation.
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Amen
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