Why Church Membership MattersNäide

Why Membership Matters

Christians are in a war. The Bible calls us soldiers, tells us to fight the good fight, and warns us about the enemy of our souls who’s looking to destroy us. For us to move forward, everyone must fight. The stakes are too high for any Christian to sit and watch the battle as a spectator.

When it comes to the mission of God in our world, we believe the first step for every Christian is to join a church. Here are six reasons every Christian should become a member of a gospel-preaching church.

REASON ONE: MEMBERSHIP FOLLOWS THE PATTERN OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

The book of Acts and the New Testament letters clearly show that early Christians practiced formal church membership.

REASON TWO: MEMBERSHIP PROVIDES ACCOUNTABILITY FOR SIN

Church membership provides essential accountability and protection through the biblical process of church discipline, which is meant to lovingly restore those who fall into sin.

REASON THREE: MEMBERSHIP GIVES PROTECTION FROM FALSE TEACHERS

Just as sheep are safest within the flock under a shepherd's care, Christians are spiritually safest when committed to a local church community.

REASON FOUR: MEMBERSHIP DEMONSTRATES COMMITMENT TO THE BODY

The Bible describes the church as a building, a family, and a body—each requiring deep, lasting commitment. Church membership makes that commitment visible, allowing believers to grow together in love and unity as God designed.

REASON FIVE: MEMBERSHIP PROVIDES CLARITY OF LEADERSHIP

Christians are called to follow their appointed spiritual leaders—something made possible through the structure of church membership.

REASON SIX: MEMBERSHIP MULTIPLIES THE IMPACT OF YOUR LIFE

When believers join their lives together, the church becomes a display of God’s wisdom, healing, and eternal purpose. Though flawed and often overlooked, the church is God’s chosen instrument to impact the world and will endure forever.

Now that we’ve established the reasons for church membership, we will spend the rest of our devotional time exploring the various roles members play in the church and why they are important.