SERMON: “Is Church Membership Necessary?” (Heb. 10:24–25; Rom. 12:3–8)
“Is Church Membership Necessary?”
(Heb. 10:24–25; Rom. 12:3–8)
Series: Questioning the Church #8 Text: Hebrews
10:24–25; Romans 12:3–8
By: Shaun Marksbury Date: March
2, 2025
Venue: Living Water Baptist Church Occasion: AM Service
I.
Introduction
President Theodore Roosevelt is certainly
one of the toughest and best presidents we ever had. He was a man known for a no-nonsense approach
to life. He was a man of action, and
that included his church attendance — he was a member of his church in New
York, and he took that membership seriously.
One Sunday morning, the future president was
out of town, so a friend asked his wife, Edith, “Do you think Teddy will be in
church today?”
She reportedly replied, “Of course! Theodore always finds a church to attend — he’d
rather be caught without his gun than without a church!”
Teddy Roosevelt understood that church
wasn’t just something you attended when it was convenient. He later stated
On Sunday, go to church. Yes, I know
all the excuses. I know that one can
worship the Creator and dedicate oneself to good living in a grove of trees, or
by a running brook, or in one’s own house, just as well as in church. But I also know as a matter of cold fact the
average man does not thus worship or thus dedicate himself. If he strays away from church, he does
not spend his time in good works or lofty meditation. He looks over the colored supplement of the
newspaper.
Perhaps we would place television or sports
on that last line today.
We’ve been seeing some important truths
about the church in this series, and that is hopefully making you think about
some practical application. Membership is
a sticky question for many, with a lot of ideas. Yet, at some level, many modern Christians
treat church like a restaurant — they drop in when they feel like it, pick what
they like, and leave when they’re full.
Yet, when we look to Scripture, we find that God wants us to
be committed and participating members of a local church. Let’s break that fact down and consider each
point. As we do, you’ll find that we are
not only reviewing everything we learned together until this point, but we’re
also applying it to what your next steps ought to be.
II.
God wants us to be committed members of a local
church (Hb 10:24–25).
and let us
consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our
own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another;
and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
We’ve already spoken a bit about the importance of church
membership, looking at these verses. If
it’s so clear that we’re to be commited to church, when did apathy arise
against church membership? We could talk
about post-enlightenment movements which sought to eschew any commitment to the
local church, teaching that it is better not to be a part of anything
institutional. The reality is that most
people today seem to desire a more relaxed approach to church and church
culture.
This makes mega churches appealing, allowing churchgoers to sink
into background. It’s interesting that
the size of the average church in America isn’t 1,000 or even 300. According to one study from Duke University,
“In 2012, the average congregation had only 70 regular participants, counting
both adults and children, and an annual budget of $85,000.” [1] Yet, the study notes that “7% of
congregations contain about half of all churchgoers,”[2] meaning that while the
majority of congregations are not megachurches, the big-box congregations boast
of half of all professing Christian church attendance.
Attendance doesn’t always mean membership. Some prefer limited involvement — only
popping in on holidays, if ever. There
are also those who sought to split the difference between church membership and
zero commitment; an example of this is found in the distinctive tenants of
Calvary Chapel churches, where they intentionally keep no membership rolls. Then, of course, some churches like ours
takes membership more seriously.
God does call us to be committed members of our churches,
both implicitly and explicitly. Whether it’s
a smaller or larger church, we should be involved. There are several reasons for this.
First, shepherds must know their sheep. We already considered the role of pastors, and
God calls them to shepherd “the flock of God among you” (1 Pet. 5:1–2). This command makes no sense if we can’t identify
who’s among us. In Hebrews 13:17,
leaders have to give an account for their souls of their people, but
uncommitted Christians make their job harder!
But that leads us to another issue:
Second, Christians should have church leaders. From the other side, in Hebrews 13:17, God
also calls Christians to “obey your leaders and submit to them.” A few verses earlier, Christians are
commanded to imitate the faith of their leaders (v. 7). In 1 Thessalonians 5:12, God commands us to
“appreciate” our leaders and “esteem them highly in love.” How can you fulfill any of that if you don’t have
leaders? This is why:
Third, New Testament churches practiced membership. For instance, on Pentecost, someone was
keeping track to know that 3,000 were baptized and added to the church in
Jerusalem. They later knew who was and
was not being served in Acts 6:1–7. The
lists of names closing the epistles is another example; when Paul said he
commends “our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae” (Rom. 16:1);
he not only demonstrates knowledge of her prior service, he affirms the need to
affirm her for new membership. We never
see an example of lone-wolf Christians; rather:
Fourth, the Bible illustrates membership. God uses language like “family of God;” what
is a family if you are on your own? The
Spirit brings us into the body of Christ, but we can’t meaningfully consider
ourselves an “arm,” “leg,” or “eye” unless we’re connected to the other body
parts. Finally:
Fifth, church discipline necessitates membership (cf.
Matt. 18:15–17). We’ll consider church discipline
more next time. For now, Jesus says,
“Tell it to the church,” but who comprises that group of people? Church discipline cannot be done if we don’t
know who is in and who is now supposed to be out of the fellowship.
We must have membership to have a full sense of biblical
faith in Jesus Christ. God helps us to
grow through faithful membership. Consider
what church membership provides believers:
First, God provides loving accountability through church
membership. God surrounds you with
close Christian friends to help you live for Him in holiness. Christians most often fall into sin and
temptation when they are alone.
Second, God provides edification through church
membership. When each believer is
using his is spiritual gifts for the “common good” (1 Cor. 12:7) and for the
“equipping of the saints” (Eph. 4:12), the whole congregation benefits. Jesus calls the church to make disciples,
which is one reason we have this series — so we can learn together what
Scripture says. Lack of commitment is
why so many Christians lack the edification they need in their own lives.
Third, God provides theological guardrails through church
membership. So often we feel tossed
to and fro by the winds of doctrine. The
enemy of our souls is constantly trying to confuse and to deceive us through
false teachers. Wolves look for sheep
wandering on their own. We need other
Christians with whom we can discuss doctrine and encourage us in the right way.
Fourth, God provides help to effectively evangelize
through church membership. When
we’re on our own, we may not know how to share the gospel with others, or we
may simply be too afraid or lazy to do so.
Other Christians instruct and embolden our hearts. Not only that, but your loving interaction
with other believers enhances your testimony to the outside world (John 13:35).
There are other benefits that we’ve already discussed. Through church membership, you have leaders
guiding you and looking over your souls.
You get to worship properly, which includes partaking in the ordinances
of the church — baptism and communion.
You receive a steady diet of spiritual nourishment by which to grow
spiritually (1 Pet. 2:1–3). You have the
opportunity for regular discipleship, either from the elders or other mature
brothers and sisters in Christ.
On that note, we come to our next point.
III.
God wants us to be participating members of a
local church (Rom. 12:3–8).
For through the
grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of
himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as
God has allotted to each a measure of faith.
For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not
have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and
individually members one of another.
Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each
of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion
of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching;
or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who
leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Obviously, it’s not enough to join a church and sit. Paul teaches in Romans 12:3–8 that every
believer is called to humbly serve within the body of Christ, using the gifts
God has given them for the good of the church. We are not to think more highly of ourselves
than we ought, but we must recognize that we belong to one another in Christ
(v. 5). Church membership is not a
passive — it requires active participation in ministry and service.
So, how do church members participate?
A.
Participate with Humility and a Willing Heart
Paul begins with a call to humility in v. 3. A right view of ourselves leads to a right
view of our role in the church. We are
not self-sufficient; rather, we are dependent on God and interconnected with
one another.
This means we must be present at church and engaged. As we saw in Hebrews 10:24–25, we should not
neglect meeting together, but rather, we must encourage one another. It’s not that we must be here every time the
doors are open, especially if the Lord providentially hinders you, but you
should strive to be faithful to Sunday worship.
Practically, that begins Saturday evening. You must plan to be present and available on
Sunday morning, picking out clothes and getting to bed at a reasonable hour. You must also praying for your soul, the
people who will be around you, and the elders as we preach the Word. Those
who come prepared will be more prepared both physically and spiritually for
Sunday morning, more relaxed and ready to look for ways to serve.
This means that you won’t be waiting for ministry programs to
tell you what to do. Instead, you will
be looking for opportunities to serve, whether by welcoming others, sharing a
hymnal. You might be helping a visitor to
feel at home, or a member who needs the love of Christ that day.
Remember that fellowship is not just social interaction. It is koinonia, a deep partnership in
the faith (Acts 2:42). Investing in the
lives of fellow believers includes checking in on one another, praying
together, and sharing biblical truths that encourage and challenge.
This happens when we participate. Of course, the Lord grants us specific tools
of service with which to serve one another, and let’s consider those briefly
now.
B.
Participate Using Your Spiritual Gifts
This topic worries Christians needlessly. Paul explains that each believer has been
given gifts by God for the building up of the church; in v. 6, we read, “Since
we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly.” These gifts are not for personal benefit but
for serving the body of Christ.
Spiritual gifts are discovered and developed in the context
of ministry. Rather than waiting to find
the perfect role, believers should step forward and serve in whatever capacity
they can. Common gifts mentioned in
Romans 12 include:
- Service
(meeting practical needs)
- Teaching
(instructing others in God’s Word)
- Exhortation
(encouraging and admonishing)
- Giving
(generously providing for others)
- Leading
(guiding and organizing)
- Showing
mercy (caring for the hurting)
Each gift is essential, and no one should think their
contribution is insignificant. We read
that we’re all individually members of the Body of Christ (cf. 1 Cor 12:12–27),
and the Holy Spirit has given us differing gifts and talents to serve one
another. The church functions properly
when all members actively use their gifts in love and humility (Eph. 4:16). Many Christians who are serving one another
in some capacity are already exercising spiritual gifts without knowing it.
C.
Participate by Giving to Ministry
Finally, we see another specific way to serve. In v. 8, Paul states, “He who gives, with liberality”
or “generosity” (LSB). Giving is an act
of worship, demonstrating trust in God’s provision and commitment to His work. It’s a unique opportunity to share in God’s
ministry through the building projects, missionaries and pastors, evangelistic
efforts, etc., of the local church.
Scripture provides key principles for giving:
- Giving
is an act of faith and worship (2 Cor. 9:6–8). This is why we pass the plate during the
service rather than just have boxes in the back — we want to communicate
this is worship. It is not to make
anyone feel they must give out of obligation. We should give with joy to the Lord,
recognizing that all we have belongs to the Lord (Ps. 24:1).
- Giving
should be intentional and cheerful (2 Cor. 9:7). Decide in prayer about your giving ahead
of time. It is not it’s to be impulsive
or coerced; rather, it’s about willing participation in God’s work.
- Giving
supports the needs of others (1 Cor. 16:1–2). The early church collected offerings to
support those in need, just as we should care for fellow believers. Within our own fellowship, we will have
church members with needs that we will prayerfully seek to wisely
assist. For non-members asking for
help, we have a longer process as we seek to faithfully steward and disburse
money to genuine needs.
- Giving
sustains the ministry of the church (1 Tim. 5:17–18). Just as Old Testament tithes supported
the Levites, New Testament giving provides for pastors and missionaries. It also helps to ensure we have what we
need, such as a power and upkeep for our building.
Participation in the church is not optional—it is a biblical
mandate. God has called every believer
to actively serve within the body, using their gifts, investing in
relationships, and supporting the ministry. As we engage in these things, we grow together
in love, unity, and effectiveness for the kingdom of God.
IV.
Conclusion
As we wrap this up, you may a Christian but not be a member here,
and wonder what to do next. In short,
the first item on anyone’s list should be to join the church or to get
baptized. We put those together because,
if you haven’t been baptized, not only does that need to happen as soon as
possible, it marks the moment you become a member of the church. If you have already received believer’s
baptism by immersion from an Evangelical church of comparable beliefs, you
don’t need to be re-baptized to be a member.
In early church history, Christians undertook a variety of
routes when they wanted to join a local church.
In some cases, for instance, they became catechumens, learning about the
faith for a year. At the end of that
period, usually on Easter, they would be baptized and the church would
officially welcome them.
We aren’t following that exact path, but the basic concepts
remain. We ask that you fill out an
application and then take our new members’ class. That lengthens the time it takes to become a
member, and it may scare some away, but we hope that a narrower front door to
membership will mean a narrower back door.
At that point, we’ll ask you to commit to going through the Fundamentals
of the Faith if you haven’t already, and then we’ll bring you forward.
Anyone wanting to join should contact us as soon as
possible. If any are watching or
listening to this on the live stream or on video and you’re not members, get in
touch with either Pastor Jorge or myself, and we’ll be happy to speak with
you. Those who are members currently
should do what they can to help welcome those who are new and becoming members,
an admonition I know isn’t needed in this loving congregation. May all we do be to the glory of God.
[1] “Religious Congregations in 21st Century America” from
National Congregations Study, 2015.
Available at http://www.soc.duke.edu/natcong/Docs/NCSIII_report_final.pdf, accessed June 13, 2019.
[2] Ibid.
