Joining a church can be a complicated process. Many people do not understand or agree that membership is a biblical expectation; some even consider it legalistic, fractional or exclusionary.
This was John Folmar’s experience when he led the United Christian Church in Dubai in the process. However, it is worth implementing. In the pastor’s words: “In addition to preaching the Word, I believe that the most important way to reform a congregation is to establish membership. “
From this experience, Folmar shares the tips he has learned
1. First, show it.
The most effective way to annoy a congregation is to start changing the culture of the church without presenting a biblical basis for change. Did Paul urged Timothy to exercise his ministry?(2 Timothy 4. 2). If your church has lived for years without biblical affiliation, then it can take years to see a real biblical change.
2. Explicitly predict
As people grow spiritually by hearing the Word preached each week, they will become more receptive to biblical arguments about church government and, indeed, all areas of life. Does the Spirit give life? (John 6. 63, NIV) and use the Word to do it.
3. Take the level of what it means to be a Christian.
Emphasize in your preaching the holiness of God, as well as the corresponding requirement that God’s people reflect His character (eg, 1 Peter 1:16).
In a persistent and explanatory preaching regimen, indicate New Testament ecclesiastical discipline (see, for example, Galatians 6. 1-2; 2 Thessalonica 3. 6-15; 1 Timothy 5. 19-20; Titus 3. 10-11; Jude 22-23, etc. In due course, people may wonder why they have not seen discipline practiced in their church. Church discipline is the clearest biblical proof of church membership (eg, Matthew 18: 15-20; 1 Corinthians 5 ; also 2 Corinthians 2. 6).
A church is an identifiable group of believers consciously committed to each other. Their lives are not perfect, but by the grace of God they are, in a substantial and observable way, different from the world around them. Emphasizing the meaning of being there? Of God (1 Peter 2. 9), membership will begin to make more sense.
4. Make commercial applications on your sermons
Do not apply the scriptures only to individual believers. Ask people to think about what a passage tells the church as a whole; over time, this will lead them to a common and common responsibility between them.
5. Spread this vision between the elders and other leaders.
Distribute the booklet Reflecting the Glory of God by Mark Dever[1] to potential church leaders. If your leaders prefer comedy, try Mike McKinley’s book, Planting Churches Is for the Weak. [2] Tell them about the arguments in favor of a biblically organized congregation.
6. Be yourself a solid model of community life
Make your life a microcoss of the strong corporate community you want to see in your church. Be hospitable. Lunch with men who respond to your ministry. Start building a nuclear community that recognizes the value of responsibility and brotherhood. Start small, be patient in your interactions with others, and pray for them.
7. Pray that God will enrich relationships in your church so that membership makes sense.
Without a true Christian community, membership is just a shell. We depend on the Holy Ghost to create affections of companionship and maintain the unity that membership so beautifully expresses. Be constantly in prayer for companionship and relationships in your church. Encourage spiritual conversations. As relationships in your church deepen, confession of sins and correction will become more common.
8. Implement an ecclesiastical pact to emphasize corporate responsibility.
A covenant is a promise that each member makes to love and care for the Church. It also specifies the obligations that believers have with each other. If your church is over 50 years old, you probably already have a lost pact somewhere in the closet. and reintroduce him into his church, but only after he has taught the concepts enough. If you don’t have a pact, consider using this one. [3]
To make sure the covenant is a “living” document in your church, receive it together before the Lord’s meal or member meetings. True membership is made up of those who have consciously made a pact with others in their church. Without a pact or membership, your church can be just a point of preaching.
9. Be prepared for objections
Objection 1: We’ve never done this before.
Answer: Let the Bible, not tradition, establish what you do in the church. Consider the predominance of church discipline in the New Testament (for example, Matthew 18:15-17, 1 Corinthians 5, 2 Corinthians 2. 6). It is possible to evict someone from an identifiable assembly, it is also possible to admit someone. And the New Testament assumes that all Christians are members of churches.
Objection No. 2: Membership is legalistic and loveless
Maria Lay-down: That may be the case, but it’s not necessarily and shouldn’t be. In fact, allowing someone to remain comfortably as part of their church, without even confronting them with the question of whether they are before God, is perhaps the least loving form. It must be recognized that membership alone will not make your congregation more loving, but it must be a powerful demonstration of the spirit-forged community.
Objection 3: It takes too long. At the end of a grueling alumon meeting, who wants to turn their attention to a dozen interview forms for new members and talk about people’s details, lives, and testimonies?Once, an old man asked me, “We can’t delegate this to a deacon. . “
Answer: Is the primary calling of an elder not to manage programs, but [to be] for you and for the whole flock in which the Holy Spirit appointed you bishops? (Acts 20. 28). What could be more inherent to this calling than seeing new members come in and old members leave?
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Read the article How to implement membership in an existing church for more information.