Is Church membership biblically based?
I ask that question out of concern for the local church. As district superintendent I see the statistics and membership is down across the board in our denomination. Not weekly attendance per se, but membership. Some might say, "So what's the big deal if attendees do not want to join the church? They still attend, serve and give their money, etc.!"
The "big deal" for our denomination is this, we are a "congregationally lead" organization. Power and decision making resides with individual members. Our system of government needs spirit lead members for discern the will of God and make decisions accordingly. If they choose not to participate then the system is incomplete, "broken," if you will.
Without the church body as a whole participating in this process "factions" or "special interest" groups/agendas can greatly influence to direction of the church. All the Evangelical Friends Church needs as a movement for Satan to beset the local church is for Spirit-filled saints to not participate in the governance of the church. In reality, all that it would take to change policy and procedure of a local fellowship is a dominant personality who has "kissed the Blarney Stone" (referring to someone with a silver tongue and can wield influence over those with weaker personalities) to present a "cause" and rally the troops for a majority vote, and it is a "done deal" in the Friend's movement. It could happen in the local church or at annual conference. In some ways, our form of government is fragile in this way.
So, we begin this discussion by restating the question, "Is church membership as we practice it biblically based?" Is it broke because it is not the will of God in the first place? As we read Paul's words in I Corinthians 12,"For just as it the body is one and has many members and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For from one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit (12-13)" is he saying that membership is universal through faith in Christ? Or is this an obscure passage that needs the support of the context of scripture for proper interpretation?
What say you on this subject? Is there a biblical basis for church membership? Maybe it does not really matter whether is is biblically based or not. Should it be?
Regardless, it seems like some change is needed in how we govern our affairs in the Friends' movement. Why do you think regular attenders are not joining the local church? How can we address the poor participation at called business meetings? I look forward to discussion on this topic.
Thanks for stopping by!
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Adrian
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This appears to be cultural across the board, not just common to the church.
ReplyDeleteOur country is now acting the same way. Non-paticipatory Democracy.
This is the culture of the anti-christ. Populism at it's worst.
Smaller memberships don't concern me, God always reserves a remnant, the mind-set of the masses does.
You ask too many questions. Please settle on one or two per thread.
Carry on!
I believe the way in which membership is currently used in most churches in the sense of people being "on the roll" is a cultural phenomenon. It is not biblical per se, however, that does not make it wrong. Where it can become wrong is the way in which it is used or abused. According to our own Faith and Practice true, BIBLICAL church membership is as follows: "The basic test for membership is conversion. NOTHING (emphasis mine) can constitute one a member of Christ's Church but the power of the Holy Spirit, working 'repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ' (Acts 20:21)" (section 502). Any other reason that we might use to admit or not admit people into membership has potential pitfalls. One of the pitfalls that I see with membership in the way it is currently practiced is the mindset of exclusivity -- a we vs. them mentality -- those who are in and those who are out. Those who are out somehow become acceptable once they "get in". Of course, they're not allowed in unless we say it's okay. As we get away from the biblical basis for membership, we start to create our own rules and impose those as the reasons for membership. The answer in my mind is to get back to the Bible and how Jesus accepted people into His church. If we want to continue keeping rolls, fine. Just keep uppermost in our mind the true meaning of membership so that it does not become something other than one's relationship with Jesus Christ. As more people become (or should I say, are allowed to become) members and take that membership seriously, I believe the accountability will improve and there will be more participation in the life of the church.
ReplyDeletePat,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are well on your way to addressing this problem. How do you feel about non Christians being members of the church? Also, how do you see the local church screening/discerning gifts for service and qualitification for teaching/leadership if it is not carried out in the membership process?
Narrowminded,
I want our church to function in a counter cultural way then. People not participating is the goverment of Kingdom business is unacceptable to me. I know you ... you have a great mind and are Spirit lead. Let's fix this problem ... give me solutions Man!
I just listened to a sermon this morning in which the pastor said something to the effect that we rely on our process because we don't trust the promise.\\
ReplyDeleteOur way of doing church has become more comfortable to us than the way that God would have us to do it. If we use conversion as the basic test for membership, then only those who are converted can become members. However, if we define membership as affinity with an organization, then anyone (even unbelievers) could join. Who's to say that in the process of them joining, that they wouldn't be converted? However, allowing them to join is sticky. On the one hand, by aligning themselves with a church, the person could convert over the course of time. On the other hand, there is the danger of someone being made to feel comfortable and never realizing their need for conversion. So, there's a delicate balance. But, if we trust God, then through Spirit-led preaching, teaching and ministry, they will either accept Christ or reject Him in and of their free will after being exposed to the truth. The choice is theirs. Where I think we get a little skittish is that we have devised our own plans of what constitutes a member, a Christian, etc. and if people don't fit that mold, we conveniently have the tool of the "membership process" to weed them out. That to me is an abuse of the membership process. Our main question should be, have they accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We can acquaint them with the beliefs, doctrine and practices of our church and ask that they respect those things, but ultimately, their walk with Christ should be the supreme test. \\
As for screening leaders and teachers, that could be a separate process by which someone makes known that they are interested in one of those positions and at that time they would meet with some individuals who could discern their readiness for the role and even delve into the doctrine and the person's adherence to it.
Make Disciples.
ReplyDeleteIf we're to get gack to following the Bible,that's the command.
My friend, you are one of the few who know me. I am confident in our friendship and love but let's be honest, people want what people want. They will not go for radical changes in this organization. Feelings will be hurt(God knows that's the one thing we're not to do), emotions will rule the day.
This fellowship has not placed a high priority on fulfilling the Great Command for over a generation. We have been focused on building a church. Much like society in general has not promoted true citizenship.
We are led by the congregation and we, as a whole, are immature. Spiritual and emotional children who are out of touch with spiritual reality. The inmates are running the asylum.
I love the thought of truly addressing this situation, however I question the depth of surrender to the leading of the Spirit, corporately and individually. Are we as a fellowship willing to totally submit to Jesus re-dressing His Bride?
I'd love to test the waters but the ship may go down. Are we willing to risk everything or is sustaining the organism more important?
Solutions:
*Stop all ministries that don't lead to discipleship. Remove the religious "occupation" that fills up time, creating a void that, hopefully, people will allow Jesus to fill.
*Establish a culture of freedom within the fellowship. Remove the "crutch" the church provides many of us. Those that are dependent must be faced with their independence. Jesus Himself will provide.
*Children must be weaned. All preaching and teaching must be Christ-focused and "meat". Disciples are spiritual carnivores not suckling babes.
*Leadership must shoulder the responsibility of identifying mature disciples and encourage them to enter leadership roles. Whiners and complainers should be ignored. If no one is available the need goes unmet. God will provide.
*Once a disciple is found willing to serve, let him or her have their way and let the chips fall where they may. God is sovereign.
*Stop all outward ministries. We don't ask kindergarteners to be missionaries. Unless their is asurety in someone that they are a fully surrendered Disciple, service should be something to look forward to. Serving from the flesh helps no one.
*Show leaderships passion for Spirit-led, Jesus
focused re-modeling of this fellowship. REPENTANCE OF THE OLD AND SURRENDER TO HIS WILL FOR THE FUTURE WITHOUT RESERVATION, HOPE OR EXPECTATON OF OUTCOME. If we fail, we fail.
Shock and awe!
Carry on!