Membership Has Its Privileges

Monday, 06/08/26 at 21:16
A Voice Shouting

Date: 6/8/2026

I have never been a member of a church. Something always bothered me about the need for church membership, but I could put my finger on it at the time. I simply ignored the offers and left the matter alone.

Recently, my wife and I moved to the South where church membership is a topic of discussion with every service. This aggressive behavior moved me to research the topic (both in the bible and on the internet). I will tell you that if you research church membership on the internet it’s hard to find anyone who doesn’t support it. It’s become so mainstream that we’ve been numbed down by the noise. However, if you research the topic from a bible perspective you’ll have a hard time finding a single mention of it. In fact, you’ll soon realize that it’s entirely man-made and runs contrary to the Word of God.

Let’s look at some scripture:

Ephesians 4:15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.

Ephesians 5:23 For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church.

So, based on these scripture verses the church is the body of Christ.

Next, let’s see what the bible says about being “members”:

Ephesians 5:30 And we are members of his body.

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

Ephesians 2:19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.

So, if we are members of God’s family (see above) and members of his body (see above)…and his body is the church (see above)…by default we are members of the church. Why then do we need an additional step to become members of the church when the bible says we already are members of his family and his body which is the church??? Brothers and sisters you are already a member of God’s church according to His word.

I have some thoughts as to why the topic of church membership is so popular in the modern church.

1) Money. If the church can lock you into a long-term agreement you will be less likely to leave, and therefore, they are better able to rely on your long-term contributions.

2) Church Growth. Most church denominations report weekly figures up the chain of command. Things like weekly attendance, weekly givings, attendance at various programs (VBS, trunk or treat, yard sales, potluck suppers, etc). They base their success on statistics rather than souls saved. The more butts they can place in seats means more money coming in for bigger buildings, bigger ministries, more “outreach”, etc. Much of this is outward appearance rather than making disciples or sharing the love of Christ by serving the needs of those inside or outside the church.

3) Making a covenant agreement with men and man’s doctrines. Memberships can be different depending on the church. Some will actually have you sign an agreement, while others will have you enter into a verbal agreement to their rules, regulations, by-laws, etc. In the end, they are getting you to make a covenant with their ways, beliefs, practices, etc. I believe this can be a dangerous path to take, especially if their teachings and practices are not biblical. As an example, if you attend a 501c3 church you have agreed to transfer the headship of the church from Christ to the state. Your church is a corporation regulated by the government.

So, my question is why church membership needed? Aren’t we already in a covenant relationship with God, through Christ by faith? Here’s the biblical steps to becoming a member of the church (i.e. a member of God’s family and body of Christ)!!

Acts 2:38 -41 says: Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.” 40 Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.

Notice that in verse 41 it says they were added to the church. Where in the bible does it state we need one more step to make that official? It didn’t say they were added to the church upon a formal process of joining your local church.  They were added to the church by repenting, turning to God, and being baptized.  

I’d like to share a few personal experiences I’ve had with regard to church membership:

1) One pastor wouldn’t let my wife and I begin a church ministry to accept weekly food donations (canned and boxed food) to help feed the poor. We were told we needed to become a member first.

2) Another pastor was looking for a church secretary and told my wife that he would first consider a church member over a non-church member.

3) During the Lord’s Supper, a pastor said that if you weren’t a church member or a member in good standing at another church to please abstain from partaking in the body and blood of Christ.

Do you think these practices please God? If I am a born-again believer of Christ, a member of His body, and a member of God’s family, why can’t I partake in the Lord’s supper? We are told by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:10 “let there be no divisions in the church” and James 2:9 “But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.

Doesn’t church membership create divisions and favoritism? For example, most churches won’t let non-members attend church meetings. Only members can attend those meetings.  That is both a division and favoritism. And, as James says it’s a sin and a violation of the law.

Brothers and sisters, please meditate on this topic and take it to the Lord. Do your own research so that you will not be carried away by this crooked generation.