Why is Church Membership Important?
One of the most frequently asked questions relating to the topic of church membership is, "Why should I join the church, anyway? After all, it makes no difference -- I can still go to worship and participate in all the activities without feeling tied down or committed."
The last word in that quote is the first reason to join the church -- COMMITMENT. Church membership is a step of commitment in which the dedicated Christian expresses in both word and deed that Jesus Christ is Lord and Master of their life. This commitment involves several areas of a Christian life: Commitment to God (Matthew 23:37), to family (Proverbs 12:7b), to personal growth (Philippians 3:14), and to ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12).
The key to a Christian's successful commitment lies in accountability to the local church and leadership (Hebrews 13:17; Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Thess. 5:12-13). Without this accountability, it is too easy to falter. But with the loving support, encouragement, and challenge of the leadership and church family, each person can not only maintain but in fact grow in their Christian commitment.
There is a second reason to join a local church in membership, and that is RELATIONSHIP. We, "as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 2:5). We are being built together as a spiritual house for the work of ministry.
"So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another" (Romans 12:5). We compliment one another with our unique talents and abilities as we join together as a team. Each one of us has a vital function within the Body and together we are able to accomplish great things for the glory of God.
To learn more about what it means to be a Christian and a member of Westlake Community Baptist, attend our next Discovering Church Membership Seminar.
Please click here for more information on our C.L.A.S.S Seminars.
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