Church Membership

The Value of Church Membership

Why is it important to become a member of a church? If you are saved and on your way to heaven does it really matter if you join the church? You do not have to join the church to go to heaven but I would submit to you that some may not go to heaven because you refuse to be counted as part of a local church! It does matter!

Just what is the value in joining the church?

I believe it identifies you as a believer in Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:19 (The Living Bible)
19 Now you are no longer strangers to God and foreigners to heaven, but you are members of God's very own family, citizens of God's country, and you belong in God's household with every other Christian.

As believers we want to express our faith in Jesus Christ in every way possible. Being a faithful member of a church is an excellent way to do this. When others see your commitment and labor in the church they will have little difficulty understanding where you stand concerning Christ and His Kingdom. Along with your testimony and lifestyle, faithfulness to a local body of believers will clearly identify you with God's people.

Another important reason for joining and being part of a church family is that it helps you to grow and develop as a Christian.

Romans 12:5 (NLT)
5 We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT)
24 Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds.
25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near.

When you were born again you were born dependant upon the Body of Christ. God does not bring new converts into the Kingdom of God who are self-sufficient and independent in regards to their spiritual lives. Without the church family to draw wisdom, encouragement and strength from, we will be weak spiritually and ineffective in our service for Him. Satan loves to find believers who are separated from the flock. The devil, like a vicious predator, will take advantage of those who do not have the God given protection of unity with the Body.

As Christians we need each other. You need the church and the church needs you. Without your unique gifts and talents others in the Body will go lacking. The contribution of every Christian is vital if all the needs of the Church is to be met. You may not "have to go" to Church to go to heaven but others may not go to heaven because you will not go to Church.

1 Corinthians 12:7 (NLT)
7 A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church.

Each of God's people have been given a special ability to edify the church family in a special way. You can only serve God with others whom God has called also. What you have to offer can make a major difference in someone else's life and ministry (and vice versa). As you are productive and contribute, you grow in your ministry. This would be impossible outside of the church setting.

Being part of a local church also places you under the spiritual protection of God ordained leadership.

Hebrews 13:7 (NLT)
7 Remember your leaders who first taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and trust the Lord as they do.

God has raised up and equipped persons who will watch over your spiritual lives. Anointed leadership will equip you to do the work of the ministry. As apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers teach and preach God's Word, they enable believers to minister effectively in the service God has called them to.

Another reason that we should belong to a church family is that it provides accountability we need to grow spiritually.

Ephesians 5:21 (The Living Bible)
21 Honor Christ by submitting to each other.

As we grow and develop spiritually it is necessary for us to have a means of accountability over our lives. When someone becomes a part of a church they are more likely to be careful about how they live and participate in spiritual disciplines like worship, prayer and service to others. Accountability will have a positive effect on our spiritual lives.

The Benefits of Church Membership

Worship helps you focus on God. As we come together to praise Jesus, our focus shifts from our weakness and inability to His greatness and glory which causes our faith to rise . With our faith strengthened we are better prepared spiritually and emotionally for what we face in life.

Fellowship helps you face life's problems by providing the support and encouragement of other Christians. There is nothing like the strength we get when we are around others who are living the Christian life just as we are. As we see others overcome life's challenges we learn and are encouraged to keep walking the "narrow path."

Discipleship helps you fortify your faith by learning the truths of God's Word and applying biblical principles to your life. All of God's people need instruction and guidance in living the Christian life. The Church is a place where the Bible is explained and the Christian life modeled by fellow Christians.

Ministry helps you find and develop your talents and spiritual gifts and use them in serving others. God uses anointed leadership to help you discover who you are in Christ and what your role is in the Body of Christ. Pastors will organize and direct the various ministries and programs of a Church and position you within them to be an effective part of what God is doing to reach others.

Evangelism helps you fulfill your mission of reaching your friends and family for Christ. Corporately and individually, God's people have the responsibility to reach the lost with the message of the Gospel. Through the united effort of the Church family we are able to witness and work effectively to achieve the goal of winning souls.