Why Becoming a Church Member Matters

"As a Christian, is it really all that important that I become a member of a church?"

That is a question I've discussed with many people over the years in ministry. The reality is that for all kinds of reasons, many "church goers" in our day are very hesitant to become committed members of a local church. And while this isn't necessarily all that shocking given the lack of biblical and theological conviction of many "self-identifying" Christians in our culture, what is concerning is the number of pastors and churches that fail to see just how important membership is to the health, unity, and spiritual maturity of a local church.

Now, I do have to say there are positive signs that this is changing in many churches, networks, and denominations. In studying the Scriptures on this topic, along with surveying the practice of membership throughout church history, more and more young pastors and church leaders are growing in the conviction that establishing biblical church membership in their congregation matters.

They are right. Church membership matters. And it matters far more than many of us realize. Let's consider five reasons why.

#1. In joining a church, we make visible our commitment to Christ and His people. When we join a church we are saying, I’m all in. I’m wearing the jersey of this church, and I’m excited to be a part of this body and this mission. I'm eager to see the gospel go forth through this local congregation.

#2. Making a commitment makes a powerful statement in a low-commitment culture. The only thing that people in our culture are committed to is being noncommittal. Though this shouldn’t be the case when it comes to our local church, sadly, that statement is true. Membership is one of those counter-cultural things that we do as Christians. It says to the world that we are committed to something that’s more important than many other things in our lives; we are committed to a local church;  we are part of a body of other believers and other Christians.

#3. We can be overly independent. In our flesh and in our sin, many of us drift toward isolation and  independence and not toward community. Yet, the Lord has created us to live in community and to be in relationship with others. We need to fight against this drift toward isolation and unhealthy independence. As Christians, we fight that tendency through church membership and commitment to a local church.

#4. Church membership keeps us accountable. We all need accountability whether we like it or not. It’s for our own good. In a local church, through membership, there’s a pathway for loving, gracious, helpful accountability as we seek to grow in the Lord.

#5. Joining the church will help pastors be faithful shepherds. As pastors we are accountable for the flock. If we are going to care for our sheep, membership helps us to identify who our lambs are.

If we’re serious about growing in Christ’s likeness, growing in holiness, growing as men and women who desire to live lives for the glory of God, then membership in the local church is essential and critical.