"Why should I join the Church?" is a question asked often within our society. "Why can't I just attend, receive the good that God has for me and not become formally involved as a member?" "What value is there in church membership?"
These are honest and sincere questions which need to be answered! In fact, you may be considering these questions right now. If you are, I hope that you will prayerfully read this.
As you read these brief statements, may I suggest that you open your heart to the Spirit of God. If Jesus Christ is Your Savior and Lord, simply be open to him. He will lovingly and gently lead you in the way you should go. Your life is no longer yours' you have given it to Him (IICor. 5:15). Simply obey whatever He is calling you to do and become whatever He is calling you to be!
What Is The Church?
This the first question we must consider. Is the church a certain denomination, a large organization or a building with a steeple? What is the Church?
The Books of Acts is an exciting account of the birth of the Church and its early history. I would recommend that you read this unique story for yourself. You will discover that the Church was not begun by a committee or a group of religious people.
To the contrary, the Church was created by God Himself! The first two chapters of the Books of Acts relate the supernatural birth of the Church. After the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ, a little band of 120 believers returned to Jerusalem and gathered in the unpretentious room to pray and wait for whatever God had for them. They did not understand what was going to happen. Jesus had told them what to do, and they were simply doing it as an act of love and obedience. None of them were prepared for what took place. The Holy Spirit came upon them in dynamic power. Pentecost took place, and the Church was born! These believers who had been so weak and afraid now moved out into the streets with great boldness and conviction. Peter stood and told crowds of people about the Good News of Jesus Christ.
People not only listened, they were cut to the heart, and they responded to the message of Jesus. They asked Peter what they should do. He told them, "Repent, and be baptized evey one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38).
Isn't it interesting that this invitation is precisely what God is calling us to do today in order to become a true disciple of Jesus Christ and a member of His Body - the Church! We need to repent by admitting to ourselves and God that we are going the wrong way and by turning to Christ in faith to follow Him as Savior and Lord! We need to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, have our sins forgiven and receive the marvelous gift of the Holy Spirit!
On the day of birth, there were 3,000 persons added to the Church. The day began with a small group of believers huddled together in weakness, uncertainty and not a little fear. The day ended with a band of 3,120 persons who had been set free in Jesus Christ, filled with the Holy Spirit and ready to share the "Good News" with others. This was the birth of the Church!
What did these believers do next? They devoted themselves to the teaching of God's word, to prayer, to fellowshipping and to breaking bread with one another (Acts 2:42). They were not perfect people; they were becoming and growing in Jesus Christ. In short, the early Church was composed of people who had repented, had been forgiven of their sins, were filled with the Holy Spirit and shared life together in love. They also shared a common commitment to follow Jesus as Lord, to serve one another and to minister to the needs of others.
What is the Church? It is not a building, but it is the people of God! Not an organization but an organism - a functioning body of which Christ is the head! (Ephesians 5:23). Not a dead corpse but the living bride of Christ! (Revelation 21:2). Not begun by and ad hoc committee but purchased by the blood of Christ (Hebrews 9:12) and established by the Holy Spirit! (Acts 2). Not founded upon a passing fancy but founded upon Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone!(I Peter 2:4-6). Not to become obsolete or outdated but to endure for eternity; the "very gates of Hades shall not prevail against it!" (Matthew 16:18).
That's what the Church is all about! Not a group of perfect people, but a family of God's people who are helping one another to become what God has created them to be! No wonder we should so seriously consider becoming a part of the local Church! That is not man's idea; it is God's!
Why Join The Church?
A study of the Books of Acts will reveal that within the early Church, there was no option as to whether or not a believer "belonged to the Church." A person who became a new creature in Christ was simply expected to become involved in Christ's Body - the Church. Although formal membership rolls were not initially kept, specific identification with the Church was a vital part of discipleship.
As we have seen in Acts 2:47, "the Lord added to the Church daily those who were being saved." In other words, as people were trusting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, God added them to the Church!
With this biblical and historical foundation, I would like to suggest ten specific reasons which all Christian believers need to prayerfully consider as they ask, "Why joing the Church?"
1. To Become a Participant
God has called us to life of active discipleship. He has asked us to leave all and follow Him - to be a participant and not merely a spectator (Mark 8:34). There is no biblical basis for spectatorship. We are called to involvement!
2. To Enjoy the Sense of Belonging:
Behavioral scientists have confirmed the biblical contention that all persons need "to belong." We need to love and to be loved! We desperately need not to be "outsiders" looking in on God's family, but rather be "insiders" belonging to Christ's Body and functioning as Body members.
3. To Be Identified:
Jesus often spoke of the importance of being identified with Him. Becoming a member of a local church is to be identified with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord! Such identification declares to all the world, "I have decided to follow Jesus!"
4. To "Live Out" My Life as a Disciple:
As we have already shared, the New Testament has much to say about believers becoming members of the Body of Christ. Both Romans 12 and I Corinthians 12 speak very graphically about the fact that each person who is a new creature in Christ becomes a member of the Body. If this is to become functional, it can only take place when believers make the commitment to become involved in a local church fellowship.
The biblical picture of the Body is that all the members belong not only to God, but to one another. They are related to one another. When one member hurts, all the Body hurts. When one member rejoices, all the Body rejoices! To be a disciple of Christ involves being a part of His Body - the Church and relating to other believers within the Body. This seems not to be an option - but an imperative!
5. To Follow Christ in Obedience:
Jesus Christ always called people to a commitment of life. For example, in John 14:21 Jesus stated that "he who loves me is he who obeys me." To belong to the local church is an act of obedience to the Lordship of Jesus Christ!
6. To Help Determine Ministries:
Jesus stated that He has called us not only to be ministered unto, but to minister to others. Only by being a member of a local church can one help in determining the priorities and the future course of that church's ministry.
7. To Give and Not Just Receive:
The biblical model of discipleship is marked by "agape" love. Jesus said that "agape" love would be the outward identification of a Christian (John !3;35). Jesus also taught that the goal of His disciples should not be to "get" but should rather be to "give." "Agape" love is concerned about giving! Jesus called us to lovingly serve Him and one another. Spiritual gifts are to be used not for one's own gratification but in service to others (I Peter 4:10)
In my opinion, it is immoral for a believer to sit in a church pew merely to "get." This conduct assures one of becoming a stagnant Dead Sea. To the contrary, if life is to be a joyous adventure of following Jesus Christ as Lord, giving is an imerative. As we give and serve others, God continually fills our lives with His love and with the fruit of the Spirit. Becoming involved in a local church should say, "I want to be more than a stagnant pond! I want to be a flowing river of God's grace by ministering and sharing with others."
8. To Grow and Mature Personally:
In Ephesians 4, Paul shares a very practical model for personal growth and maturing. In short, he teaches that the key of personal growth is to be functioning as a member of the Body of Christ - the Church! Christians do not mature in isolation. Members of Christ's Body contribute to the growth of each other. Only when each member of the Body is functioning does personal and corporate growth occur. You can never become the person which God desires you to become without being related to other Christians within Christ's Church!
9. To Fellowship:
Koinonia or "fellowship" is one of the exciting fringe benefits of Christian discipleship. In fact, we read in Acts 2:42 that Koinonia was a priority in the early Church. Koinonia means the sharing of life and encouraging other believers (Hebrews 10:24,25). All things become common. This in-depth relationship is very difficult to enjoy without being an active member of a local Body. Unfortunately, people often feel like "outsiders" and "participants" enjoying this deep communion of the saints. I believe that God wants all of His disciples to enjoy the wonderful gift of Koinonia.
10. To Be Responsible and Accountable:
Ultimate fulfillment in the Christian life does not come without responsibility and accountability. All of us need Christian brothers and sisters - not only for fellowship but for accountability. The Scripture declares that we should be subject to one another (I Peter 5:5). I have found life to be most meaningful when I am accountable to a group of fellow Christians who love me and who want God's best for me! This should be one of the great joys of church membership.
The Decision Is Yours
I would invite you to prayerfully consider becoming active member of a local church. However, I will not pressure to make a decision to join the Body of Christ as a participating, sharing, caring, giving, loving member. Neither will our Lord force you into this vital relationship.
He lovingly invites you, but the decision is yours! Jesus Christ died to give His Life for the Church. He shed His blood to make the Church His Bride. He invites you to become involved as you follow Him as Savior and Lord.
I believe that you need the Church! But the Church also needs you. Christ's Body can never be what God wants it to be until every follower of Jesus becomes an active, contributing member. All of the Church will suffer if you choose not to become involved. Your are needed!
May our Lord give you wisdom, grace and courage as you carefully and prayerfully consider this important step of more fully sharing your life and special abilities. For then, "God's people will be equipped to do better work for Him, building up the Church, the Body of Christ, to a position of strength and maturity!" (Ephesians 4:12).
If you would like to know more about active participation in the Church On The Rock of Oak Harbor and would appreciate New member class information or an appointment with a Pastor, please contact us at:
