By Caitlin
I am a college student, and as such, I had the freedom to decide which church to attend when I moved here. I was warned against “church-hopping,” mainly because membership in a local church is emphasized in the Bible, especially the New Testament, but also for reasons of accountability. Last year, I began attending a church with a few of my closest friends at school. I loved everything about the church: like my church at home, it didn’t claim any specific denomination; the pastors’ messages were challenging and motivating; they greatly encouraged small groups; the worship was wonderful. I joined a small group, which allowed me to dig deeper into Scripture and grow alongside others.
A little while after, an upperclassman friend of mine asked if I would be interested in helping out with the youth group he was interning with. He knew I had past experience with middle schoolers, and they needed female leaders. I excitedly said yes, because I love middle school ministry, and didn’t even think twice about the fact that it was at a different church than the one I attended. It was a small Presbyterian church close to campus. I became a consistent leader, and I now have good relationships with several middle school girls. These girls have a lot of issues, and need someone to stand by and disciple them and help them see Christ working in their lives.
There were never any big conflicts between time spent at either church. However, this past summer, I was challenged to think of the implications of being involved in two different churches. I read an article by pastor Matt Chandler about church membership, called “Is Church Membership Biblical?” In the article, he uses many verses from the New Testament to stress that Christians are commanded to submit to an elder body in the church. Church leaders will have to watch over my soul and even
tually give an account of me (Hebrews 13:17). So, it is a question of who is responsible for me, and who I am to be accountable to.
I understand this, but I am still conflicted. I’ve never had a personal relationship with an elder in any of the churches I’ve ever attended. The people who keep me accountable have been my Bible study leaders throughout high school, my Christian friends, and especially my parents.
This class has made me consider: are not all Christian churches, regardless of denomination, on God’s mission? We are all part of Christ’s body. I can see why church membership was a big deal in the early church– there weren’t very many churches yet. Does it matter now?
i personally think membership is still important today mainly for the person becoming the member. At least from my experience, it seems when someone becomes a member of a church they feel more accountable and responsible to engage in that community. I mainly see it as an outward declaration of commitment to the church one is a member of and at least in my life, i am very happy that i ended up becoming a member of a church.
Caitlin,
You bring up a lot of big points in the Church, and I will do my best to be concise.
I first want to say, I have so many problems with the article you cited, and I am not surprised that you remain conflicted after reading it. It would appear the author is more concerned about establishing his place as a leader within the church and wants to clear up who has to submit to who, and who he is accountable for; thereby advocating a mandate for formal local church membership.
The Hebrews 13:17 passage is a reference to all forms of leadership and is an echo of Romans 13; additionally, “They keep watch over you as men who must give an account” needs further explaining. In the Navy, standing “watch” is the method in which an individual serves the rest of the crew and they are held to a certain set of standards and procedures in order to protect the ship and all on board. Leadership in the Church is the way in which certain individuals serve the body of Christ and also do this according to a certain set of standards. When a leader has to take time away from ministry in order to consistantly handle disciplinary issues within the church it reduces their effectiveness at (Ephesians 4:12-16).
We are called to follow Christ, and we do well when we follow the example of others who do the same, I Corinthians 11:1. As Paul encouraged the Church at Corinth, so I encourage you, what does it mean to be a member of one church over another? Are we not all apart of the body of Christ as co-laborers with Him for one purpose with each of us being rewarded according to his own labor? (I Cor. 3:5-8 paraphrase)
You are torn between two churches, one of which is comfortable and you get a lot out of it; and the other you are engaged and are an active co-laborer with Christ in the lives of those young girls. The biblical symbols of leadership are a basin and a bowl; and our leadership is defined by who we follow, and who we serve. It is not defined by how many membership certificates we have in our file. Membership in a Church matters, but only if it looks like service as a member of the body of Christ. Everything else will pass away.