Living the Christian Life in Community – Church membership

Living in Community

Paul writes these two letters with the same greeting: ‘To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you’ (1 Thess 1:1, 2 Thess 1:1-2a). I find it extremely relevant that he wrote to the churches, and not just to any believer who may find his letters. The Greek in the New Testament uses this word to describe the assembly of believers, literally it is ‘those called out of the world and into Christ.’ However, it has the additional meaning of the assembly. Together with Paul’s descriptions of the body of Christ, I think it worth noting that we are called out of the world, though we live in it. One of the ways we distinguish ourselves from the world, we step out of the world, is to become members of a church.

Church Membership

I know that there are many who choose to attend churches, even for a number of years, but do not become members. I think there is great value in becoming members of a church. There is a reciprocal commitment in becoming a member. I can count on the church, and its members and leadership, to assist me and they too can count on my assistance. Christ himself modelled the group behavior in his ministry. In that, I think we too are called to a church group. My family moved several months ago and it took some time to find a new church home. I’d like to share what the core things were that were important in that search.

Foundation beliefs. In this age, it was fairly easy to check websites for the statement of beliefs for a church. Some sites had lots of information, and others less. I looked for Bible-based statements. So long as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit were an integral part of the statements, I was fairly satisfied that my time would be well spent in a visit.

Maturity of teaching. This is perhaps a more difficult subject to describe. Paul talks of eating solid food and no longer taking milk for sustenance (Hebrews 5:12-14). I felt one church I visited gave only a superficial lesson during the sermon time. In another, the church was focusing on biblical dating. Neither church gave me indications that it was ready to delve deep into the personal struggles of good and evil. There is also an element of the movement of the Holy Spirit in this maturity. Is the Holy Spirit a part of the worship, invited and welcomed?

Involvement Opportunities. I’m not sure that is a good title for the criterion, but I intend it to be ways to get involved and walk together in Christian life, as Paul describes. I wanted a small group to meet weekly, so we could walk together and not just catch up or have a Bible study a couple of times a month. I wanted Bible study or Sunday School for adults and other opportunities for involvement in the life of the church. A balance of giving and taking, learning and teaching would be good, though I expect that will develop over time.

The next were secondary criterion; they were not deal breakers in the final membership choice.

Intimacy. I like a smaller church, where people know who they sit next to on Sunday morning and look out for each other and our families.

Music. I enjoy singing and the worship time spent in vocal praise on Sundays. I have a style preference, though I don’t think I have ever found it, nor could I necessarily describe it. I think it is based on the worship-ful-ness that we choose to offer during the time of singing.

Liturgy. I find value in the Biblical calendar and the efforts to teach from both Old and New Testaments, as well as from passages and not just a few verses. There is a place for all of the teachings that God gives those who preach, but I think churches that choose liturgy also present a more complete picture of who God is. I also like the dedicated seasons leading up to Easter and Christmas, though this is of lesser importance to me.

I am sure there are other things to consider, like proximity to home or work, average age of members, and such. For me, at this time in my life, these were not on the list. I can see that they would need to be at other times and seasons. What are you looking for in a church home? What do you most appreciate about your church home?