members or visitor ?

[GreatBigAl]

Here is my question
are people here "members" of a particular baptist congregation, or do you attend and participate without official membership status (whatever taht means)
I was at a Baptist church a few weeks ago with a friend; it is one locally where I attend a few times a year, mostly on special occasions. I heard the term I think it was "transfer of letter" or something along those lines, I have no idea what that means in regard to membership. If someone could explain that to me I would appreciate it.

I am not a member of any particular congregation, having rejected the idea of "membership" many years ago. There are several different churches in the area I attend (as well as one out of town when I travel) I do participate in different programs as invited, I do donate money (as I can afford) Each Sunday, I go where The Spirit leads me

I do attend a baptist church on occasion, but it is not the only place where I worship ...

[TwinCrier]

I've heard of people remaining member of one church while attending another because they consider the other their 'home church' but for me, my loyalty is to the church I attend each week where ever I'm at. I don't get why some people act as though membership is like marriage vows or something. You are just saying you want to be a part of that church. Transfer of letter just means you are moving your membership, letting both your former church and present church know about it. You're old church isn't going to fall apart with out you, it's just nice to let them know you have a new church home. I also sometimes participate in revivals or VBS at other churches in my denomination, but I don't become a member of every church in town.
If you have reservations about becoming a member, I'm sure you can ask your pastor about it and he will answer your questions and allay your fear and suspicion.

[HumbleMan]

Many churches will not let you participate in ministries of their church unless you are a member. In my church, you can't participate in the pastoral ministries (hospital visitations, mother's morning out, bereavement ministries, etc) unless you are a member.

BTW, welcome to CF!

[rainbowpromise]

Membership in our church simply gives you the right to vote at business meetings. If you are not a member, you still have input at the meetings, but cannot actually vote.

A few years ago an older couple moved. Once they found a church that they wanted to join in their new area, they simply contacted us and requested that we remove them from membership. The same happened with a more recent church change for a family. They requested that we remove them from our membership and about a month later they were added to the membership of another church.

No letter in our case. However we are an Independant Baptist Church

[GreatBigAl]

I mentioned participation, I mean things like kid's attending VBS, or of course worship services, also dinners, fundraisers, festivals etc I don't care to get involved in the voting or politics, because if a church is already not presenting what I want, well, I would not be there anyway.....
I am not trying to advocate entertainment in the ministry as some megachurches are seeming to do. I am simply saying that if I wake up on Sunday AM and I am in the mood for a totally non traditional service then I will go to the contemporary at the presbyterian church, complete with guitars and rock music. If I feel a need for the inspiration of a high mass, then I will be at the Episcopal church and IF I decide I need some peace and quiet in my life then I will be at the Unity church meditating with the so called new-agers .
My point is, I am comfortable being at any of these at any given time, but I would never ever commit to be at a single one of them only and exclusevly, which was a big issue lat time I held "membership" in a church (I ultimately sent in a letter to the pastor resigning my membership in that church)
So even though I go to church, I am not a church member. I like it that way

[holyrokker]

My wife and I, along with our two youngest children, have been attending a Baptist church for nearly two years. We have applied for membership. The pastor has recommended us to the deacon board, and we should become "official" soon.

We've never formally become members of a church before because the churches we've been part of didn't have membership.

At our current church, only members can vote on church issues and participate in church ministry (including teaching Sunday school).

Our membership will be based upon our personal testimonies.

[rainbowpromise]

I mentioned participation, I mean things like kid's attending VBS, or of course worship services, also dinners, fundraisers, festivals etc

These are all optional in our church. We have sign up sheets and you can sign up if you want, or not sign up.

I don't care to get involved in the voting or politics, because if a church is already not presenting what I want, well, I would not be there anyway.....

I would not call our church meetings political. We sit down together and have a short devotion, prayer and then all the business is presented, accepted, corrected (usually just typos) and then new things are put on the table. Voting is usually to do with membership, building repairs and Sunday school materials. I see the need for these group decisions when I look at another church near here that left all this to the minister. He now has all the power, is senile and the building is in disrepair. No one can do anything without his ok, which he won't give because he sees something different than is really there.

And on your other points. I am not a Sunday School teacher, but I have volunteered for a once a month ministry. Someone who is not a member would not be able to be a Sunday School teacher, but still would have the oportunity to volunteer for some other ministries.
Any other week, I have the opportunity to attend elsewhere.

However I am not saying all this because I am trying to talk you into membership. I simply am letting you know that it isn't a difficult thing.

Our church also has at least four families that are not official members. Three of those families are involved in ministries in our church. We are also considering asking a member of another church to participate in our youth ministry.

[jcright]

Here is my question
are people here "members" of a particular baptist congregation, or do you attend and participate without official membership status (whatever taht means)

To answer your question...yes. Or no. No wait...yes. No, it's definitely no!

Okay, here's the deal. My home church (where I have membership) was a Baptist Church. They are now a non-denominational church. The only thing that changed was the name, they are still built on the same ideals that they started out on. So I guess in this sense, yes.

However, my church doesn't have a Sunday evening service so we go to another baptist church right around the corner from my house. So in that sense, no. We not only go there Sunday evenings, but I'm their webmaster.

From time to time we also go to my sister's church which is a baptist church.

I don't reject the idea of membership though. I think it is a very good idea although I'm not sure it is necessarily a command. Then again, it seems to me that that was how it was done, you joined the ranks of the church (too lazy to look it up, there are references in Acts). So I think it is expected even if not a direct command.

[edb19]

I'm reformed Baptist and a member of my church. We have folks who attend regularly who are not members and they can do quite a bit (i.e. partake of the Lord's Table, attend & participate in business meetings although they can't vote).

However, membership is required of those who want to teach Sunday school or be a member of the music team. The reason for that is if there is a problem that requires church discipline it can be dealt with. It's easier to require church members to abide by certain rules - a non-member can easily say "why do I have to do that, I'm not a member."

[mlqurgw]

I know what I am about to say will probably come across as mean and harsh but it is what I think. I find that most people who go to this place one sunday and another the next or don't go at al when they just don't want to are people who don't commit to anything. Church membership is a commitment and it seems many would rather just never have any responsibility to others at all. If you aren't willing to commit yourself to a local body for the furtherance of the gospel and the glory of Christ with your time and self who is it that you are commited to?

[GreatBigAl]

Well I don;t think it is an issue of commitment. I am committed to what I believe, and my beliefs simply don't include "membership" in some particular church here in town.
Now yes, I am committed to my wife, my kids, my work, my family my friends...etc
IF "the right church" ever came along, one that I felt would be worthy of some kind of exclusive committment, then maybe I would consider membership and all it involves, but as for now, that has yet to happen.
I have several different congregations which I spend time doing various projects and activities. I do not hold "membership" in any of them, and would not join one as a member at the expense of alienating any others. I go where I want when I want as the Spirit leads me.
My needs are met.
I asked the question originally because I was just unclear on the depth and ideas behond membership. I should have asked "What does being a member of a church mean to YOU?"
Amazingly, I have found a lot of other people who go to church regularly but refrain from "membership" in a specific congregation. So far, the reasons why they refrains have rpoved more viable and real to me than the few I have heard from people who "belong"
Thanks

[holdon]

Here is my question
are people here "members" of a particular baptist congregation, or do you attend and participate without official membership status (whatever taht means)
I was at a Baptist church a few weeks ago with a friend; it is one locally where I attend a few times a year, mostly on special occasions. I heard the term I think it was "transfer of letter" or something along those lines, I have no idea what that means in regard to membership. If someone could explain that to me I would appreciate it.

I am not a member of any particular congregation, having rejected the idea of "membership" many years ago. There are several different churches in the area I attend (as well as one out of town when I travel) I do participate in different programs as invited, I do donate money (as I can afford) Each Sunday, I go where The Spirit leads me

I do attend a baptist church on occasion, but it is not the only place where I worship ...

I go to a baptist church, but I am not a member. And never will be. The only membership Scripture recognizes is to be a member of the Body of Christ. Once you recognize any other membership, you deny the unity of the body of Christ. We are not to make parties like "I am from Apollos" nor to make groups like: I am baptist, presbyterian, etc..

Of course they won't let me teach a class. But even if Paul came they wouldn't let him teach either, since Paul was no member of their church.....

[mlqurgw]

Well I don;t think it is an issue of commitment. I am committed to what I believe, and my beliefs simply don't include "membership" in some particular church here in town.
Now yes, I am committed to my wife, my kids, my work, my family my friends...etc
IF "the right church" ever came along, one that I felt would be worthy of some kind of exclusive committment, then maybe I would consider membership and all it involves, but as for now, that has yet to happen.
I have several different congregations which I spend time doing various projects and activities. I do not hold "membership" in any of them, and would not join one as a member at the expense of alienating any others. I go where I want when I want as the Spirit leads me.
My needs are met.
I asked the question originally because I was just unclear on the depth and ideas behond membership. I should have asked "What does being a member of a church mean to YOU?"
Amazingly, I have found a lot of other people who go to church regularly but refrain from "membership" in a specific congregation. So far, the reasons why they refrains have rpoved more viable and real to me than the few I have heard from people who "belong"
Thanks
The local assembly is the visable body of Christ. Because I believe doctrinal truth to be very important and is what seperates the true local assembly from the false, as you may be able to tell I am not the least ecumenical, I believe it is important to join the visable body. I believe, IIRC, that Paul joined himself to the local assembly at Antioch.

[JPPT1974]

I am a member of a baptist church
But we believe in making visitors feel
Welcome even though they may feel
Out of place, we try to make them feel
Like they are one of our own!

[holdon]

Because I believe doctrinal truth to be very important and is what seperates the true local assembly from the false,Are you saying that those groups/churches you're not a member of, are the false church?

[FallingWaters]

After my husband and I were saved, we were "brought up" in a non-denominational albeit conservative Charismatic church with the full use of the Charismatic gifts during Sunday worship, agendas being interrupted by the Holy Spirit etc. in another state. That's what I'm used to. That's what I like. But that's not available - with sound doctrine - in a 40 mile radius of here.

So about a 1 1/2 years ago, we started attending a local church - SBC Baptist. It's very stiff and boring worship compared to what we're used to, but the preaching is excellent, and the Bible studies as well. We have not become members, but I would like to because as someone else said, we would be eligible to participate in certain ministries that are presently closed to us because we're not members.

To tell you the truth, I'm not really sure which denomination I most closely align with. I don't really like denominations per se because I don't think they're Biblical, but that's kind of what we're stuck with.

[holdon]

So about a 1 1/2 years ago, we started attending a local church - SBC Baptist. It's very stiff and boring worship compared to what we're used to, but the preaching is excellent, and the Bible studies as well.

Our SBC church's worship service is not very stiff at all: all kinds of entertainment is made available: there is no business like show business......

Preaching isn't bad, but oh so boring: same pastor all the time. It's like eating the same meal over and over again. What ever happened to the diversity of gifts? What happened to:

"What is it then, brethren? whenever ye come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to edification. And let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. 14:30 But if there be a revelation to another sitting there, let the first be silent. 14:31 For ye can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all be encouraged.

[RED that's ME]

Member
IMO christians should have a church home where they can grow spiritually, worked together as a team member helping to spread the gospel of Christ, discipling and teaching others. Matthew 28:19-20 Also to worship together as a group of believers. :)

[mlqurgw]

Are you saying that those groups/churches you're not a member of, are the false church?
That isn't what I said is it? If you are asking me whether I consider you a brother the answer is no I don't.

[FallingWaters]

What ever happened to the diversity of gifts? What happened to:

"What is it then, brethren? whenever ye come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to edification. And let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. 14:30 But if there be a revelation to another sitting there, let the first be silent. 14:31 For ye can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all be encouraged.I hear THAT!

[holdon]

If you are asking me whether I consider you a brother the answer is no I don't.

And why not?


"The eye cannot say to the hand, I have not need of thee; or again, the head to the feet, I have not need of you. 12:22 But much rather, the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 12:23 and those parts of the body which we esteem to be the more void of honour (file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Willem%20Laptop/My%20Documents/Mijn%20stuff/darby/other%20version/bdbl/BDB/n_1co.html#12:23), these we clothe with more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness; 12:24 but our comely parts have not need. But God has tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to the part that lacked; 12:25 that there might be no division in the body, but that the members might have the same concern one for another.

[JPPT1974]

We are supposed to love one another
As brothers and sisters in Christ
Despite not agreeing with one another all the time!