A few nights ago, we were eating dinner with friends, and the subject of church membership came up. It wasn't a lengthy discussion, but it did prompt me to begin thinking about some things - namely membership in the Church, not so much in the church. I grew up in a Southern Baptist tradition and the steps to becoming a member of a baptist church were very clear - admit you are a sinner, believe Jesus died for you, change your behavior, and dedicate your life to the church. At least that is how I remember it.
I am thinking through this same thing today. I just finished a chapter in The Secret Message of Jesus called Getting It, Getting In. It's uncanny how Father works all things together. My questions and my thoughts right now are less centered on what it means to join our "little c" church and what it means for my neighbors or my coworkers to join the "big C" Church that is the family of Jesus. This is partly because the churches that I grew up in treated the two as the same. Joining the Church was joining their church and joining their church was joining the Church.
I realize that the issue of reference here is not as simple as I am making it out to be. Or is it? If we take a look at the teachings of the New Testament, is there a question about joining the movement of Jesus for the average person who heard his message, believed what he said and committed to it? Right now, I am asking questions, so any of your thoughts or opinions might just be helpful in drawing my own personal conclusions. Maybe our dialogue will help clear up some of the fuzziness for me - I don't want to assume that you have the same fuzziness.
Have a great day, and may you know that God is a personal God - He is involved in and cares about your daily life.
Posts
4 comments:
Hey Brad, great question.
I don't see my being part of The Bride of Christ as needing any formal membership in a little c church. It is first and foremost my relationship with Jesus- I belong to Him, not to a denomination.
At the same time I treasure my relationship with other believers. It is a miracle that we are tied together in His love. And it is amazing that Jesus gave us gifts that we get to bless each other with. Wow! But still, I don't see how those things have to be relegated to a formalized congregation with bylaws, expectations, and membership commitments. It seems to be more about control and fear-based decision making to me, and less about love.
Well, now you have your first comment. Maybe it will spark some more!
Greatest command, "love your lord your God with all your heart soul, and mind.'
Obviously the most important thing to have is our relationship with God.When you choose that relationship, you start having what I call the "trickle down effect." In choosing this relationship, you choose to be a servant. Committing yourself to a church is only a formality. It's there for you to be "at their service". You have been given a spiritual gift and they can use it. The bible also talks about being one body, many parts. To commit yourself to a certain church is to help identify that body and how it can be most useful to serving God. It's all about relationships in the end. And it starts with God. By being a part of a church could help you further your relationship with Him.
Here's a question to think about... Don't you think we "cop out" of placing our membership b/c we are afraid they might actually use us. And then we might have to "commit" to it. And Paul talked to many different churches in the bible and spoke of their members. Obviously it is somewhat important, not the most important, but important enough for him to put it in there.
Thank you both for your comments.
As for "cop out", I don't want to assume that everyone who chooses not to "place membership" is doing that. For 4 years, I have not formally placed my membership at any church. I have not copped out of anything, though. I do know people who have chosen to not formally join a church for fear of being abused, though. Paul's references to "members" were not the same as our references today, though. Too often, membership in local churches looks more like a country club membership rather than the connections that the early Christ-followers seemed to experience.
I am a member of Christ's Body in that I am a part of the family of God, not because I go to a specific church. I have seen many people who have become members of a church, use their gifts in that church, but never reach beyond the walls of that church into their communities or into their workplaces or social environments. They are great actors, but never move to the community theatre, they are great singers, but never move into the pubs or concert halls, they are great artists, but never use their art outside their little church.
I would rather have a gym full of Christ-following Members of the Body, with no church membership, who are actively using their gifts where they live, work and play. That's seems to me to be more like the Church in the New Testament.
Those are some of my thoughts this morning.
Love your last paragraph. Amen.
I picked up a copy of the book. Not sure when I'll get to it, I'm in the middle of a few others right now. Thanks for the suggestion!
Post a Comment