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For many people, the process of becoming a church member feels hidden and obscure. So much so, that some people assume that they are members just because they’ve been attending a church for a certain period of time. On the other hand, there are people who think that they need to be invited to become members or achieve a certain ‘level’ before they’re deemed worthy. This is not the case. Let me explain why there is a formal membership process and what it consists of.
Most churches have a simple but somewhat formal process to become a member. This can sometimes feel counter-intuitive. People think, ‘I’m a child of God, I shouldn’t need to do anything more to become a member of your church.’ There are a couple of reasons why a formal process is necessary. The first is that the church is not only a spiritual family, it’s also a legal body. Our church is a federally incorporated non-profit organization, and its members vote and provide a layer of accountability regarding the church’s budget and major decisions. If we didn’t have a process for determining who our members were, anyone could show up for business meetings and disrupt or derail the church’s mission. Even if we just considered the church as a spiritual family, though, without a membership process there wouldn’t be any way to confirm whether a person shared the same basic beliefs as the church or was even a believer. Not many Christians want their children learning in Sunday School that Adam and Eve were alien spirit beings, but without a process to determine whether a person shares the church’s beliefs, there’s no way to avoid that happening. So a process of some sort is essential. In our church, that involves a one-page form and an interview with two elders. There are some basic questions that are typically asked.
1. Have you put your trust in Jesus?
Faith in Jesus Christ is the thing that unites us together in the family of God, so it’s critical to confirm that a person understands that faith and has truly trusted in Jesus. In a baptist church, that includes baptism. Do you know the good news about Jesus? Are you trusting in Him alone for your salvation? Or do you think that God will save you because you’ve done more good things than bad? Have you been baptized by immersion as a believer? Assuming that ‘churchgoer = Christian’ doesn’t help anyone.
2. Do you believe in the church’s statement of faith?
If you haven’t read or don’t agree with a church’s statement of faith, you’re probably not ready to become a member. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t attend, but you should investigate more. Why does the church believe these things? Are there Scriptures that I haven’t adequately thought through? Let your questions drive you back to the Bible.
3. Do you agree with the church’s understanding of biblical authority?
Christians like to say that the Bible is their highest authority, but they can sometimes mean vastly different things by that. For example, do you agree with what the Bible teaches about marriage, gender roles and sexuality? And if you do agree with its teachings, are you living in accord with them? A person doesn’t need to be sinless to become a member, but they shouldn’t be outright ignoring the Bible’s foundational commands.
4. Do you understand what church membership means?
Church members don’t do anything more than the Bible asks of any Christian, but becoming a member is an expression of commitment to a church. You move from guest to family member. Members invest in fellowship and pray for others. They volunteer and look for ways to serve. They give sacrificially as the Bible describes. And they invite the accountability and support that a church family provides.
If you haven’t taken the step of church membership, take a step toward taking that step! You’ll be safer and healthier for it.
In awe of Him,
Paul
