I have only been an official member of one local church in my life and to be a member there was to go through a short ceremony of welcome to 'have my name on the roll'. I was extended the 'hand of fellowship' and shook the hand of other members. That was it. No church covenant or promise to believe what that group believed.RZehr wrote:The difference, I suppose, is that we feel church membership goes hand in hand with commitment, brotherhood and church.
I believe that one would find pretty much across the board, as churches become more individualistic, the importance of formal membership lessens, and variation in beliefs and practices become greater.
Why wouldn't one join a church? I can't think of a good reason not to, if it's good enough to regularly attend.
Since then I have my reservations of being part of any official church membership that defines me as something unique from other Christians in the Church that Jesus has as His Bride, the universal Church. The early churches were unique by location only and when they started to break into other defined groups (followes of a preferred teacher, Paul, Peter) they were warned not to. Today we have thousands of groups that go about defining themselves in some unique ways that I think has done more harm than good. The New Testament actually tells us nothing about becoming “church members.” It only speaks about being “members of Christ” (1 Cor. 6:15) and “members of the body of Christ” (1 Cor. 12:27). I realize that most involved in local churches take this official membership as something they tie in with water baptism. Don't see this in scripture either.
I still believe in local church communities and operating as members in Christ in that community. I believe commitment, brotherhood and church can be had without all these specially defined add ons. To me official church membership is man made and unnecessary. I see too many folks using this and their baptism as their 'good to go' salvation. And often members sign covenants full of obligations governing the conduct of the member. Can't find that in scripture either. So, I'm a non-conformist in this area. I can't wait for trhe day that Jesus will come back and destroy all this division.
I grew up in a church without an official church membership and the church operated quite well so that is another reason. So, that is why, if allowed to, I prefer to be part of a community fellowship without joining as an 'official member' of that church. However, if it blocked a ministry I could be part of, I would consider just what that church required to be a member and if I could accept that in good conscience, I would have to give this more consideration.