Membership Considerations

Commitment and Symbols

Words such as “trinity” and “rapture” are not found in the text of the Bible but they are very important words that describe Biblical truth. There are other concepts and symbols not specifically mentioned in Scripture that are still, however, deeply rooted in Biblical principles. One such concept is local church association.

Let’s consider marriage for a moment as a voluntary association. The marriage license and wedding ring in contemporary American culture are important symbols. For Christians they are deeply rooted in the Biblical principles dealing with submission to civil authorities and the public declaration of an intensely personal inward commitment. These external symbols remind society and the married of those commitments. Though Adam and Eve did not have a marriage ceremony with the exchange of wedding rings they were never-the-less “married.” Should we infer from the absence of specific Biblical teaching of wedding rings that they are not important? Church membership allows us to officially and legally be “joined together” for civil purposes for such things as tax deductions for donations. But more importantly, local church membership is a public declaration of a person’s commitment to the church family called Berean.

In America today, many want the same benefits of the “traditional marriage” without the formal commitment. They are satisfied with a common-law-marriage. Unfortunately this cultural spirit of independence and lack of formal commitment has been carried into the local church and far too many Christians are content with a common-law-membership. They embrace the easy in … easy out … approach to local church association.

Independence and Interdependence

Scripture uses interesting word pictures to describe a Christian’s relationship to other Christians: body, flock and family. This leaves us with the impression that God is extremely interested in our interdependence with each other. We join together for several important Biblical reasons: mutual encouragement, mutual instruction, mutual support, mutual service, mutual partnership, mutual worship, and mutual submission. We can do more together. 

The independent Christian is like a hand or a heart without a body. It has no place in which to function and thrive. By joining a church family, you become part of a community in which you can serve, be encouraged, and be a partner in the ministry. We are immersed in a culture of independence which to the biblical principle of interdependence. Membership can a Spirit directed commitment to a local church where you choose to add your unique talents, strengths and abilities.

Paul gives an appropriate warning as well as an exciting expectation when he writes, “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” (Romans 12:3-5)

Every sports team has a roster; likewise church membership identifies us with a local church family for mutual partnership, mutual worship and mutual submission.

Responsibilities and Benefits

The first question for a Christian who is committed to teaming with others is “What can I give?” not “What do I get?” This is the spirit of Christ’s life and should be ours.

The local church is like a football game where the vast majority of those present are spectators who are desperately in need of exercise and who sit, watch and comment on the few playing on the field who are desperately in need of support and rest! Your perspective changes when you leave the stands and join the team on the field. The church does not need a few superstars, but many committed team players who are willing to be quarterbacks, water boys or whatever is needed so that the team “wins” and the “owner” receives great honor and recognition.

We desire each member and ministry to ask how they can contribute to the the whole rather than be single minded about their own needs. There is a major difference in asking, “What are they doing for us?” instead of asking, “What are we doing for them?” We seek a safe environment that resists the self focus of our day and that promotes the simple principle of thinking about others first.

• “Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.” (1 Corinthians 10:24)
• “In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (Romans 12:5)
• “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs.” (Ephesians 4:29)
• “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)

Energetic church membership gives some interesting and diverse benefits. In such diverse areas as race and marriage sociologists have found a sobering fact. There is less prejudice and divorce among those who never attend church than those who only go to church several times a month. But, there is significantly less prejudice and divorce among church members who are highly committed to a local church! Spiritually membership places a person in a relationship with other where mutual submission and spiritual protection are formalized. With membership you are asking the Shepherding Team and other members of the church to hold you accountable to live a growing Christian life. Those who are not members can ask the elders for counsel but they are not under the same spiritual umbrella of protection. (Hebrews 13:17, Acts 20:28-30)

Membership: Church Constitution

A. Qualifications
The membership of this organization shall consist of those who give clear evidence of faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and a sincere desire to live a godly life.
B. Procedure
1. Those desiring to unite with this church will read its constitution and agree to live under its authority.
2. Each person will then be examined, and upon approval by the official church board, will be received into the membership of this church.
C. Privileges and Duties
1. Members shall have voting privileges for specific provisions made in this constitution.
2. It is the duty of members to make progress in their daily relationship with Christ, to keep growing in their scriptural knowledge, to be consistent in their conduct, and to be faithful in church attendance. (Hebrews 10:24,25)
3. It is the duty of members to honor, love, and pray for their pastor and other spiritual leaders. They are to manifest a tender regard for their reputations and support them in the scriptural exercise of their authority and ministry. (Hebrews 13:7)
4. It is the duty of each member to meet all personal obligations, to live in a peaceful manner, to respect the biblical liberty of others, and to witness faithfully. (Titus 2:11-14)
5. It is the duty of all members to support the ministries of their local church and the Berean Fellowship of Churches while at the same time understanding their great responsibility to the universal church to which all genuine believers belong. (1 Corinthians 12:26,27)
D. Auxiliary Memberships
The official board may develop auxiliary, non-voting memberships for such groups as missionaries, military personnel, college students, and those who have differing opinions on matters of belief but understand the value of being under the authority of a local church.
E. Membership Covenant
When joining the church, the members agree to the following covenant: "As members of a Berean Church, we covenant together that as we have opportunity we will do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith, that we will submit to God and resist Satan, and that we will abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul. As long as we continue in the membership of this church we will gladly cooperate, making its testimony honoring to Christ. We will pray for one another and refuse to participate in gossip. We will assist those who have authority over us and who preach the Word of God. We will give, as God prospers, to the work of our church, realizing its needs first and the needs of other Christian works subsequently. Finally, confident that we have been led of God, we wholeheartedly affirm our commitment to this fellowship and submit to its constitutions and biblical authority."
F. Transfer and Removal of Membership
1. Any member in good standing desiring to withdraw from the membership of this church will be granted a letter of recommendation upon request.
2. Those uniting with another church may be dropped from the membership of this church.
3. Members who develop irreconcilable differences with the doctrinal position or policies contained in this Constitution shall quietly resign their membership without attempting to cause any trouble.
4. Those absent from church services for six months without a satisfactory reason may be removed from membership.
5. Disciplined members may have their membership terminated at the discretion of the official board.

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