Church membership

[Guest man]

Would the next step not be to join one of those churches and work at getting them to open their doors from within?

 

 

Why? They shouldn't have to be told. 

[Fez]

Church membership, as opposed to just going to church?

 

I have never been, or been made a "member" of a church. I am on the leadership team of my church but have never signed anything or been read anything that denotes me as a "member".

 

We kind of just attend, most of us for 10 years or more and we don't talk about members in our church at all.

 

So simple question. What is this member thing as opposed to long term attendance?

It has to do with a committment, sort of like the difference in being married or shacking up?  In both instance, you may remain together for many years or even for a lifetime, but without marriage, people feel free to leave if things aren't working out.  It happens in marriage too, but not with the same ease, because a committment is being broken.  It is easier to leave a church you aren't a member of than one where you are on the church roll.

Commitment is meant for The Lord...not a group of people or a building. I don't think The Lord meant for us to be committed to a certain group of Christians, but to the body of Christ as a whole. I see nothing wrong with church hopping...I think it is a great thing to be free to do actually. Instead of getting caught up in your own clique and becoming people pleasers, perhaps you can be more free to go where The Lord calls you to go that day. Because perhaps The Lord is sending you outside your comfort zone to someone who needs you. Or perhaps there is something there that He wants you to witness. Just saying.

I am not necessarily disagreeing with you.  Fez just asked for a difference in a church member and a long term visitor?  I was just answering his question.

But surely it is just as easy to walk either way? Why would being a member make any difference. It's not like its a binding contract? I am on the leadership of my church, prayed in after the church was told it was being considered, and waiting a month for any reasons given why I should not be from the congregation, I have never signed anything.

I guess the way I look at it, if you have a congregation with no membership, I see no problem with that.  If you have a congregation with a membership roll, normally you can't hold any position in that church without first joining.  I have no problem with that either.  It just depends on how the place is set up?  If I did have a church with a membership roll, I wouldn't let anyone hold a position unless their name was on it.  Unless a person plans on leaving down the road, why not join?  It all comes down to the way the place was set up, and how it's creator wants it to be?  If your in a church with no membership roll, and everyone is happy with that, I see nothing wrong with it.

Amen to that! I agree with what you say and I guess because our church started from a few friends meeting at a house a few times a week and kind of grew into what it is today is why we don't really have a membership policy.

[Fez]

Would the next step not be to join one of those churches and work at getting them to open their doors from within?

 

 

Why? They shouldn't have to be told.

Come now! You have identified a huge problem. Obviously they do have to be told. Sounds to me that you might be the man for the job.

[GoldenEagle]

 

 

What specifically are the positions (assuming theological) you don't agree with the local church you attend?
 
Typically, most churches in many positions (i.e. childcare, leadership, etc.) will not allow a non-member to be a part of a given ministry. I'm unsure if this has at times to do with insurance, background checks, etc. in the case of childcare...
I can see for example the local church not wanting someone who doesn't think homosexuality is a sin to mentor youths... Or that sexual relations is to be within marriage and not something kids should just "experiment with" as young people. Not saying you believe those things but giving a examples.
Joining a local church IMO is also understanding that you accept the authority of said local church. Often times this also means when one joins one has the option to vote in matters regarding church decisions.
The alternative is you can always go find another church where they don't have such rules...

 

Sorry GE that didn't work all it did was copy you previous post. I'm not quite as adept using this tablet as I am with a computer. So here goes by adding another post minus the quotes. As far as doctrinal differences I hold towards wine and bread when breaking bread, they adhere to cracker (for lack of a better description) and juice. I hold to Psalm 83 and Isaiiah 17 being seperate from Ezekiel 38-39 while they believe it is all one event. I hold the angel point of view to Genesis 6 they hold to the line of Seth. When it comes to teaching or working with the youth I believe the qualifications should include that they hold to literal interprtation of biblical accounts. Such as belieiving the creation account, the flood account, Jonah etc.. in other words they should be concerned with what the person believes as a whole no just the salvation issue. In todays world children are getting a secular world view fed to them by the boat load. They won't hear the biblical accounts unless they here it in the church. I think they should be extremely concerned what is going on down stairs with the kids while we are upstairs in the service.

 

I copied and pasted to make it work.. I hear you on using tablets they can be tricky.

 

So basically doctrinally you hold the following views:

A. The wine/bread should be the standard and not juice/crackers... And to not use wine/bread would go against your conscious? Typically from what I understand the denomination you referenced doesn't promote alochol even in social settings. I could be wrong.

 

B. Psalm 83 and Isaiiah 17 are seperate events from Ezekiel 38-39? Please clarify what that means?

 

C. Genesis 6 - Angels vs Seth... Please clarify what this means?

D. I would imagine most of those in the denomination you speak of hold to a literal interpretation of the Bible. However, I don't think it is a spiritual matter to be a YEC (Young Earth Creationist - literal 7 days) in order to be a Christian. Is something other than this being taught at your church?

Bottom line: Are these issues really worth not joining and serving further in the local church to you? Seems like you have a working relationship with the pastor... Does he see these as issues regarding membership? Curious.

[GoldenEagle]

 

 

Would the next step not be to join one of those churches and work at getting them to open their doors from within?

 

 

Why? They shouldn't have to be told.

Come now! You have identified a huge problem. Obviously they do have to be told. Sounds to me that you might be the man for the job.

 

 

Good suggestion Fez.

Man, God could use you to point out this blindspot in the local churches... Perhaps not your job to make them change but simply state the truth and leave the results up to God. The Holy Spirit can prompt people to change... 

[GoldenEagle]

 

I guess the way I look at it, if you have a congregation with no membership, I see no problem with that.  If you have a congregation with a membership roll, normally you can't hold any position in that church without first joining.  I have no problem with that either.  It just depends on how the place is set up?  If I did have a church with a membership roll, I wouldn't let anyone hold a position unless their name was on it.  Unless a person plans on leaving down the road, why not join?  It all comes down to the way the place was set up, and how it's creator wants it to be?  If your in a church with no membership roll, and everyone is happy with that, I see nothing wrong with it.

Amen to that! I agree with what you say and I guess because our church started from a few friends meeting at a house a few times a week and kind of grew into what it is today is why we don't really have a membership policy.

 

 

Amen x 2

[Amplitudo]

There is only one "church" referenced in Scripture; the body of Christ. You are either a part of it, or you are not. Having your name on an official member roll of a local church accomplishes nothing.

 

The argument, "But how do you submit to those who have authority over you without being a member?" is weak. The only authority any elder, teacher, or leader has is through the Word of God. If he can prove to you that you are in error, you submit regardless of what your ecclesastical affiliation is. I have been corrected by the writings and preaching of many men, past and present, of whom I will never meet and will never visit their churches.

[Guest man]

There is only one "church" referenced in Scripture; the body of Christ. You are either a part of it, or you are not. Having your name on an official member roll of a local church accomplishes nothing.

 

The argument, "But how do you submit to those who have authority over you without being a member?" is weak. The only authority any elder, teacher, or leader has is through the Word of God. If he can prove to you that you are in error, you submit regardless of what your ecclesastical affiliation is. I have been corrected by the writings and preaching of many men, past and present, of whom I will never meet and will never visit their churches.

 

 

Good 1st post.  

 

And welcome.   

[Guest man]

 

 

Would the next step not be to join one of those churches and work at getting them to open their doors from within?

 Why? They shouldn't have to be told.

Come now! You have identified a huge problem. Obviously they do have to be told. Sounds to me that you might be the man for the job.

 

 

The local churches aren't ignorant of the problem. They just choose to look the other way.  

[Guest man]

 

 

 

Would the next step not be to join one of those churches and work at getting them to open their doors from within?

 Why? They shouldn't have to be told.

Come now! You have identified a huge problem. Obviously they do have to be told. Sounds to me that you might be the man for the job.

Good suggestion Fez.

Man, God could use you to point out this blindspot in the local churches... Perhaps not your job to make them change but simply state the truth and leave the results up to God. The Holy Spirit can prompt people to change... 

 

 

 

These are church leaders. They should already know the truth. If they're not listening to God, what makes you think they'll listen to me?