Should Churches have Requirements for Membership...

[lawtonfogle]

One should join the church and then go to church classes, not the other way around? Answer: NO

Before joining a church, would-be members must learned the Church's doctrines, beliefs, and by-laws before becoming members. "Would-be members" must agree with the church's doctrine or don't join the church. There must be "unity" and "family" within the Church where all can agree.

one word, not counting those, or those, or those (seems we have a endless problem)

READ


my post also said read the church doctrine. You do not have to take a class to do that. You just need to hire a lawyer

I read my churches doctrine many times before understanding half of it, then i forgot most, for there was nothing that really would affect me, or that i thought was wrong.

 

[flicka]

As someone who has attended many churches but never became a member of any...what is the purpose of membership?

Is there a set amount of time one can attend without becoming a member?

One local church states on it's website that once someone becomes a member they are expected to help support the church financially, etc. but I'm sure there is more to it than that.

 

[Zaac]

One should join the church and then go to church classes, not the other way around? Answer: NO

Before joining a church, would-be members must learned the Church's doctrines, beliefs, and by-laws before becoming members. "Would-be members" must agree with the church's doctrine or don't join the church. There must be "unity" and "family" within the Church where all can agree.

Then let them find out on their own. Let them take the incentive to find out by attending church provided classes. But there is no BIBLICAL basis for limiting membership because someone does not attend classes that tell about the church's beliefs.

Is there a Biblical basis for denying church membership because of failure to learn about church doctrine or is this something that has just become popular to do?

 

[morningstar2651]

[bible]Numbers 15:15[/bible]
[bible]Deuteronomy 4:2[/bible]
[bible]Leviticus 21:17-23[/bible]
[bible]Deuteronomy 23:1-3[/bible]
[bible]1 Corinthians 14:34-35[/bible]

 

[kdet]

And your point is??

 

[morningstar2651]

And your point is??

I was answering Zaac's question:

Should Churches have Requirements for Membership

 

[JimfromOhio]

We live in an age where our ‘memberships’ have become meaningless. In the meantime nothing is expected from us and little attention is given to us. Many of us have been in churches where membership was just as meaningless. Part of the reason for a lack of interest in church membership and its entailments is that the commitment-phobia of our culture - always waiting for a better deal to come along.

Meaningless membership refers to the common practice of neglecting to tie church membership to specific responsibilities, priorities, expectations, privileges, and sanctions. Church membership is a local church's affirmation that an individual is bearing fruit that evidences repentance. Failing to tie church membership to duty and obligation communicates to the lazy and unconverted that the diligent killing of indwelling sin is unnecessary, and that observable growth in practical holiness is for the few, not for all. Such failure communicates the church's tacit approval of the idea that a person can be a genuine Christian and anticipate entrance into the Kingdom of God while simultaneously indulging complacence with spiritual inactivity and disobedience.

Church membership signifies an inward love for God and His people. Church membership signifies an individual commitment to grasp hold of one another in mutual love and discipleship.

As church members, with brothers and sisters in Christ, by identifying ourselves with a particular church, we let the pastors and other members of that local church know that we intend to be committed in attendance, giving, prayer, and service. We increase others' expectations of us in these areas, and we make it known that we are the responsibility of this local church. We assure the church of our commitment to Christ in serving with them, and we call for their commitment to serve us in love and to encourage us in our discipleship. In short, we enter a covenant relationship with that church and its leadership.

Ephesians Chapter 5:25-27 (NIV)
"....Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless."

Our Savior = JESUS
Believer/Christian = Church

Who created the CHURCH? Jesus.

Is Church a building? NO

What is a Church? Body of BELIEVERS (assembly of believers)

The love of Christ can be seen only in community. Together as the body of Christ, we are a temple of God, and the Spirit dwells within this temple (Ephesians 2:22). We are members, then, of each other, so if we damage another, we damage ourselves (Romans 12:5). And if we damage each other, the Holy Spirit grieves as well (Ephesians 4:30).

If there are no Churches in your neighborhood, what happens to the teenagers of the future? Who will teach neighbors about the Gospel?

Only 20% of the members are actually "working" for Jesus every weekend. The remaining 80% of the members and non-members" just come to "listen" the sermon that benefits them. Where is the TRUE Worship? Do believers actually Worship on Sundays by doing something that GOD wants us to do?

 

[JimfromOhio]

"Worship is the missing jewel in the Christian Church". A. W. Tozer

We are the ones who prevent God working in his wholeness in us. True worship (i.e. Membership) can only take place when we agree to God sitting not only on his throne in the centre of the universe but on the throne that stands in the center of our heart.

Romans 12:1 says, 'Therefore, I urge you ... in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Dramatic interdependence only makes sense in the context of oneness with Christ. As 1 Cor 12:12 says, "As the body has many members, yet is one body, so also is Christ."

 

[JimfromOhio]

Another tip:
Why membership is important? Membership works as a first step of faithfulness in establishing your heart-felt commitment to your church and its congregation and leadership.

Why membership classes are important? In a church membership class, you will learn about a church structure, her beliefs, and it is important that you understand the Church's doctrines are what you BELIEVED in.

 

[Zippythepinhead]

Why should organized religion exist at all if there is no requirement for membership? Informing prospective members about belief systems, requirements to maintain membership, and other expectations is the honest thing for any organized church to do. Then members are left without excuse before they join and after they become members should they choose to do so.

 

[NothingButTheBlood]

Membership (again) is different than attendence. Members are expected to give more time and effort to the church. The usually hold postitions in the church. They run the tresury and pay bills, are involved in cleaning and decorating, they may be in the choir or teach bible classes. Members are the backbone of the church and a pastor should make sure that people in those positions are doing not the church's work but, God's.

 

[scraparcs]

One reason I can see for having membership classes is so that correction that needs to be done prior to joining a church can be done individually, or at least in small groups. I have no scriptural problems with having no conditions prior to joining a church, but I fear the ramifications of having people join who are going to be turned down or don't know what they're getting into.

 

[Zippythepinhead]

One reason I can see for having membership classes is so that correction that needs to be done prior to joining a church can be done individually, or at least in small groups. I have no scriptural problems with having no conditions prior to joining a church, but I fear the ramifications of having people join who are going to be turned down or don't know what they're getting into.

Ask questions and do your research

 

[GreenDragon]

If churches want to offer voluntary classes about the bible for new members, great. I don't think it should be required though. What if someone already knows what the beliefs of the denomination are, you would just be wasting their time. And what if they don't care about the beliefs of the denomination, they just want a place to worship? Not saying that's a good idea, in fact it's a pretty bad one, but you never know with people. It also might scare away prospective members, if they know they are going to get "drilled" with the bible before they can officially join the church. These one on one session seem a little daunting to me, especially for someone so new to the Christian ambiance.

 

[Abiel]

So people who keep on coming but do not become members. What of them?

 

[seebs]

So people who keep on coming but do not become members. What of them?

I dunno. I hope it's not a big problem, I'm always too busy to actually write a membership letter for my church.

 

[Angel4Truth]

I believe that having at least one class before admitting as a member of a church body to be a good idea since the pastor of a church is responsible for its members and this would elminate many church splits happening more and more when you have lots of different people holding different beliefs on doctrinal issues it would also eliminate the revolving door syndrome in many churches where people become members who become so just by moving their 'letter' from another church where they were baptised just because they heard one good 'sermon' that they liked .

Many churches admit members as members who have no clue what baptism meant , no real clue of salvation because perhaps they became a member of another church as a child etc..

A true fellowship of believers in a church group would share doctrinal belief and share gifts to edify one another and be of one mind - can a church be of one mind with many members who dont understand the doctrinal beliefs of the church ?

However someone who gets saved and baptised within the particular church group , thats another matter because its assumed they will be councelled accordingly before being baptised to ensure they understand the descision they are making .

Sink or swim is not a good way to run a church . People need to understand what they are part of so they can be effective . The bible says "my people perish for lack of knowledge " and "study to show thyself aproved"

 

[Zaac]

We live in an age where our ‘memberships’ have become meaningless. In the meantime nothing is expected from us and little attention is given to us. Many of us have been in churches where membership was just as meaningless. Part of the reason for a lack of interest in church membership and its entailments is that the commitment-phobia of our culture - always waiting for a better deal to come along.

That's the church's fault. we have dropped the ball and have not discipled people. But because we have not done what we are supposed to do for generations, does not mean we fix that by doing something unBiblical. If we would just disciple people once they become members, we wouldn't have to be looking for unBiblical fixes.

Meaningless membership refers to the common practice of neglecting to tie church membership to specific responsibilities, priorities, expectations, privileges, and sanctions. Church membership is a local church's affirmation that an individual is bearing fruit that evidences repentance. Failing to tie church membership to duty and obligation communicates to the lazy and unconverted that the diligent killing of indwelling sin is unnecessary, and that observable growth in practical holiness is for the few, not for all. Such failure communicates the church's tacit approval of the idea that a person can be a genuine Christian and anticipate entrance into the Kingdom of God while simultaneously indulging complacence with spiritual inactivity and disobedience.

Part of the discipling process that should be taken after someone joins the church anyhow. Membership has come to be meaningless because the church has allowed it to be. But agan, you don't fix that by basing church membership on attendance in some classes. Discipling and someone spiritually maturing is a heart issue, not a perfunctory, we're going to demand that you attend these classes issue.

Church membership signifies an inward love for God and His people. Church membership signifies an individual commitment to grasp hold of one another in mutual love and discipleship.

Then why limit it based upon some classes? Do people suddenly get on board with the church program after attending these membership classes?

As church members, with brothers and sisters in Christ, by identifying ourselves with a particular church, we let the pastors and other members of that local church know that we intend to be committed in attendance, giving, prayer, and service. We increase others' expectations of us in these areas, and we make it known that we are the responsibility of this local church. We assure the church of our commitment to Christ in serving with them, and we call for their commitment to serve us in love and to encourage us in our discipleship. In short, we enter a covenant relationship with that church and its leadership.

SO why turn people away for not taking classes when it's difficult enough for them to come forward in the first place?

 

[Zaac]

Another tip:
Why membership is important? Membership works as a first step of faithfulness in establishing your heart-felt commitment to your church and its congregation and leadership.

Why membership classes are important? In a church membership class, you will learn about a church structure, her beliefs, and it is important that you understand the Church's doctrines are what you BELIEVED in.

I don't doubt the usefulness of membership classes to inform members about the church. But I keep asking, is there a Biblical reason for denying membership into the church for not doing so? I can almost understand doing it for transfer members from another denomination, but to tell a babe in Christ who is new to the faith that you cannot be a member of the church until after you take these classes, that just stinks, and I just cannot find any Biblical basis for doing so.

Will we deny baptizing people also until after they take these classes?

 

[Zaac]

One reason I can see for having membership classes is so that correction that needs to be done prior to joining a church can be done individually, or at least in small groups. I have no scriptural problems with having no conditions prior to joining a church, but I fear the ramifications of having people join who are going to be turned down or don't know what they're getting into.

I keep coming back to this: 16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life John 3:16

How do we as churches with a straight face tell people this and then turn around and say, "Oh yeah, you ALSO need to take these classes if you want to be a member of this church. "

Why don't we just say "God has accepted you, but we need some more time to make sure that we want you."