Introduction
In today’s world, the topic of church membership often elicits mixed reactions. Some see it as an outdated concept, unnecessary for a vibrant Christian life, while others consider it fundamental to the proper functioning of the body of Christ. At Logos Church, we affirm that church membership is not only a biblical practice but a vital component for both the individual believer’s growth and the church’s overall health. In recent times, questions and criticisms about our membership and leadership requirements have surfaced, both from within our church community and from the broader Pronomian Christian movement. It is essential to address these concerns with clarity and conviction.
The purpose of this article is to explain why church membership is essential, drawing from biblical principles and practices. I aim to demonstrate that membership is a means by which Christians can fully participate in and contribute to the life of the church, as well as receive care, accountability, and oversight from biblically qualified leaders.
Understanding Church Membership
Is Church Membership Biblical?
Yes, church membership is a biblical concept that every local church should practice. In a time when commitment to institutions and communities is increasingly rare, it’s unsurprising that church membership is quickly dismissed as unnecessary, oppressive, or even dangerous. Yet, rejecting the principle of church membership fundamentally misunderstands the believer’s responsibility to the body of Christ and cuts one off from the many blessings and opportunities that come from this commitment.
The idea that one can be a “lone ranger” Christian, disconnected from any local church body, is a notion foreign to the New Testament. Being part of a church community is a vital expression of our faith. Believers are called to be living stones built into a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5), and as members of one body (1 Cor 12:27), we are interconnected and interdependent. The concept of church membership is, therefore, not merely a human invention but an essential aspect of God’s design for His people.
Church membership is also an expression of the covenant community that God has established. Just as God relates to His people through covenants—formal agreements that define the terms of their relationship—so too does church membership embody a covenantal relationship among believers. It reflects our commitment to walk in love, submission, and obedience to God and each other, mirroring the relational nature of God’s covenant with us.
The Definition of Church Membership
When a person is saved, they become a member of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:13), united to Jesus Himself. This spiritual reality qualifies them to become a member of a local gathering of that body. Church membership is the formal commitment to a local body of believers. It is an acknowledgment that one has been called to participate in the life and mission of the local church. When one commits to church membership, they are committing to:
- Receiving instruction from the Word of God (1 Tim 4:13; 2 Tim 4:2).
- Serving and edifying one another through the proper use of spiritual gifts (Rom 12:3-8; 1 Cor 12:4-31; 1 Pet 4:10-11).
- Participating in the ordinances of baptism and communion (Luke 22:19; Acts 2:38-42).
- Proclaiming the Gospel to the lost (Matt 28:18-20).
- Submitting to the care and authority of biblically qualified elders that God has placed in that church (Heb 13:17).
Membership in the local church ensures that believers are actively engaged in a covenantal community where mutual edification, accountability, and growth are fostered. It also secures their place within a structured body where they can contribute their spiritual gifts, time, and resources for the glory of God and the benefit of others. It places them under the care and spiritual oversight of elders, who are tasked with shepherding, teaching, and guarding the flock.
The Basis for Church Membership
While the New Testament does not provide a direct command to join a local church formally, the principle is implicitly and repeatedly affirmed throughout its pages. The practice of church membership is evident in several key areas: the example of the early church, the existence of church government, the exercise of church discipline, and the exhortation to mutual edification.
1. The Example of the Early Church
The New Testament provides ample evidence that early Christians were associated with specific, identifiable local churches. When individuals were saved, they were baptized and added to the Church:
- Acts 2:41: “So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.”
- Acts 2:47: “And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
- Acts 5:14: “And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women.”
- Acts 16:5: “So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.”
These passages show that someone was keeping count, especially in Acts 16:5, which indicates that numbers were being kept not only for the Church at large but also at the local level. The New Testament epistles were written to specific churches with particular people in mind, further underscoring the principle of church membership. Paul’s letters were addressed to the church in Corinth, the church in Ephesus, the church in Philippi, and so forth. Even letters addressed to individuals (e.g., Philemon, Timothy, and Titus) were written in the context of their roles within local congregations.
The early church also maintained practical records and lists. For example, widows were enrolled in a list to receive financial support (1 Timothy 5:9), and letters of commendation were written when believers moved between congregations (Acts 18:27; Romans 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 3:1-2). These practices indicate a formal recognition of membership. Additionally, the language used in the book of Acts, such as “the whole congregation” (Acts 6:5), “the church in Jerusalem” (Acts 8:1), and “when you are assembled” (1 Cor 5:4), aligns with the concept of a formal church membership, showing a clear understanding of who belongs to the church.
2. The Existence of Church Government
The New Testament consistently presents a leadership model where a plurality of elders is responsible for overseeing each local body of believers. Elders are qualified men entrusted with the spiritual care and oversight of the flock. They are responsible for:
- Shepherding God’s people (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2).
- Laboring diligently among them (1 Thess 5:12).
- Having charge over them (1 Thess 5:12; 1 Tim 5:17).
- Keeping watch over their souls (Heb 13:17).
To fulfill these duties, there must be a mutually understood membership within the local church. Elders can only shepherd, labor, rule, and keep watch over souls if they know who is a part of their flock. The biblical metaphor of “shepherd” (pastor) and “flock” further supports this concept, as shepherds do not manage sheep that are not theirs; they know precisely which sheep belong to them and are accountable for their care.
Church membership also fosters accountability between the congregation and its leaders. While elders are accountable to God for how they shepherd the flock, members are also called to submit to and support their leaders. Hebrews 13:17 commands believers to “obey your leaders and submit to them,” a directive that assumes a clear understanding of who one’s leaders are. Without membership, this command becomes impossible to obey, undermining the very fabric of church government.
3. The Exercise of Church Discipline
Church discipline is a concept that many today find uncomfortable or unacceptable, often because they have already rejected the principle of church membership. Yet, church discipline is explicitly taught in Scripture as a means to maintain purity, order, and accountability within the church. Jesus Himself established a four-step process for church discipline in Matthew 18:15-17:
- Go to the offending brother alone.
- Take one or two others along.
- Tell it to the church.
- Treat the unrepentant individual as a “Gentile and a tax collector.”
This process presupposes the existence of a local church, a defined membership, and an understanding of who is part of the church. Additional passages that echo the principle of church discipline include 1 Corinthians 5:1-13, 1 Timothy 5:20, and Titus 3:10-11.
Only within church membership can church discipline be possible. For example, the elders of Logos Church do not have the responsibility or authority to discipline a member of a church down the road; their authority extends only to those who have committed to being members of Logos Church. Therefore, rejecting church membership undermines the biblical mandate for church discipline.
Church discipline also protects the integrity and purity of the church. It ensures that those who are part of the community are held to a standard of holiness and obedience to God. It serves as a safeguard against false teachings, moral failures, and spiritual drift, providing a loving framework for restoration and reconciliation.
4. The Exhortation to Mutual Edification
The New Testament teaches that all Christians are members of the body of Christ and are called to live lives dedicated to the growth of the body through mutual edification. The many “one another” commands of the New Testament (e.g., “love one another,” “serve one another,” “bear one another’s burdens”) presuppose a close-knit community of believers who are committed to one another’s spiritual well-being.
- Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages believers to “stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.”
- Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, and 1 Peter 4:10 speak of the use of spiritual gifts for the benefit of the body.
Such exhortations can only be meaningfully practiced in a local church context where believers are committed to meeting together regularly, knowing and caring for one another, and submitting to the oversight of elders. Church membership provides the structure and accountability necessary for these commands to be fulfilled effectively.
Conclusion
In summary, church membership is a biblical practice that enables believers to live out the instructions of Hebrews 13:17 effectively. It establishes a formal relationship with church leaders, who provide spiritual oversight, and it integrates the believer into a community committed to mutual growth and accountability. At Logos Church, we see church membership as essential to fulfilling our biblical mandate to shepherd the flock under our care, ensuring that each member is loved, supported, nurtured, and accountable within our church family. This is not only beneficial for individual spiritual growth but also crucial for the health and unity of the entire church body.
