Is not having church membership wrong?

Question

I am attending 2 churches (both chrisitan churches different denominations)the problem is I'm not judgemental as some are about what the "true"church is. I see individuals at both churches serving GOd biblically & in life. I go to Sunday service at one & wed service at another, my children go to only 1 of the churches with me, the problem is if I give one up I seem like i'm giving up on them. The bible says to not forsake the gathering of fellowship, which i'm not, & both are about 10 min away from me, how do I choose which is better when both are good? Where does it biblically say to stay with one church,when both are christ centered?

Answer 1

IF YOU WILL NOTICE, THE BIBLE DOES NOT SAY GO TO CHURCH...IT SAYS FORSAKE NOT THE GATHERING TOGETHER ....YOU CAN GATHER IN YOUR HOME EVEN...BECAUSE WHERE 2 OR 3 ARE GATHERED TOGETHER IN MY NAME...(SAYS THE LORD) THERE AM I IN THE MIDST...

KEEP DOING WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND EVENTUALLY ONE WILL STAND OUT FOR YOU MORE THEN THE OTHER. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH GOING TO BOTH CHURCHES..AT THE SAME TIME...

GOD MAY BE HAVING YOU DO THIS TO BE A BLESSING TO BOTH PLACES...YOU SOUND LIKE A VERY PRECIOUS PERSON...BLESSINGS....

Answer 2

Well, I don't think there is really anything wrong with going to both, but I think it would be wiser if you were to pick one and join.

I don't know what kind of churches they are, or how large they are, but I attend a very large church where members of the congregation play a huge role in the functioning of the church. When people join the church, they commit to serving in some capacity in the church two times a month. That could be working with children, singing in the choir, or any various activities or "services" that support the church. Church shouldn't be take, take, take. People should make a committment to their congregation and do something that gives back to people and supports the church. You don't just want to sit in a church like an audience member.

I suppose you could do that at both churches, but I really think it would be wiser if you picked one church and made a committment to them. I don't know how you should choose, I don't know anything about the specific churches or your beliefs, but even though you enjoy and agree with both, one of them is most likely a better fit than the other for you. You can always ask God for help in making this decision, I'm just a stranger who knows nothing about you or the churches.

Hope this helped. Good luck.

Answer 3

If you enjoy both then I would do what you like, attending both. It does not say in the Bible that you have to be a member of a certain church. Being a believer is all that is required to go to heaven. You could pray and ask God if it would be best to attend one or the other. You probably have great friends in both and receive something different that you desire. I would not be that concerned about it and enjoy each service.

Answer 4

The universal Church—the Body of Christ (Romans 12:5)—is composed of all true believers in Christ, but there is nothing in the Bible about “membership” in a local church assembly. As believers, we have our names written in the Lamb’s book of life (Revelation 20:12), which is the only “membership roll” spoken of in Scripture.

The New Testament churches apparently had no need of formal membership, relying instead on God to gather together believers in a local body. “And the Lord added to them day by day those that were being saved” (Acts 2:47). This verse indicates that salvation was a prerequisite for being “added” to the church. Churches today who require salvation before membership are simply following the biblical model. See also 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.

Although there is no scriptural mandate for it, there is certainly nothing to prohibit it. Church membership is a way of officially identifying oneself with a local body of believers. Church membership is a statement that a Christian is in agreement with that local church and is willing to be identified as a representative of it. Church membership is also valuable for organizational purposes and a good way of determining who is allowed to vote on important church decisions and/or who is involved in official church positions and functions. Church membership is not required of Christians. It is simply a way of saying, "I am a Christian and I believe _____ church is a good church."

Recommended Resource: The Church: Why Bother? by Philip Yancey.

Answer 5

I don't have any scripture for you, but I would offer this from simple observation:
When you choose one place to learn, you learn what that one place has to share. If you have an additional place to learn, you diversify your learning. If you can find another place you love, more power to you.

On the other hand, some people don't have a church at all but have a connection with God. There is nothing wrong with that either, because only God knows the heart of man.

I guess I err on the side of thinking God doesn't need my help judging people because God has things under control.

Follow your heart.

Answer 6

Nowhere does it say you need membership. However, it is best to have one church that you are focused on and involved in. In the Bible, people were baptized into the church, or the family of Christ. They were not baptized into "1st church of Christ" or Bethlehem Baptist. They were baptized into the body of Christ, the body of all believers.

Answer 7

I don't believe even Paul would have had the cojones to send out membership forms. Having to be a "Member" of a specific church to worship the God you believe in is rather lame. I thought your Jesus welcomed all to his church at any time.

Answer 8

No church is true, all are businesses.

You are God because God said so.

The Bible is a mix of lies and truth and should be discarded.

God is really not so confused as people make God out to be.

Answer 9

If they both teach the following, your in good shape:
1. That you are a sinner in need of a savior
2. That you need to repent of your sins
3. That you need to be baptized because of Christ's command
4. That you need to trust Christ and Christ alone for your salvation.

Answer 10

No, you do not even have to go to church to make it into heaven. You should, and it helps, but worshipping in your own way is alright.