What is the point of becoming a "member" of a church?

Question

I've recently started going to church again, and have bounced around from various different ones trying to find the right place.
I think that personal spiritual beliefs are what's most important, so why is it that churches give people the option to officially "join" them? There are classes one has to take in order to become members.
What's the point of this, and is it biblical?

Thanks.

Answer 1

Since you are joining a local church (as they call it) they would like you to learn their culture, as well as make sure you really understood the fundamentals of being a Christian - in faith and in works. Then you get the opportunity to become a part of a community that builds up one another through ministries. You get to use your talents or whatever you can do to help others grow in spiritual maturity. And finally, you get equipping and training for a broader ministry, like missions and evangelism, wherein you are sent by the local church to proclaim God's message of salvation to areas that has not heard of that message.

Picking a local church is not just getting the right feel, but also the right avenue to use whatever you can do and know for ministering to believers and non-believers.

Answer 2

Actually, the "going to church" is less Biblical then the idea of becoming a member in a group of people. It is the fellowship that is the important and if you drift from church to church you get less of that.
That being said, I know how hard it can be to find a church family that "fits". I have been trying to go back to church again, and it has been a challenge because I was really comfortable where I was before moving.

Answer 3

this is a wonderfully awesome question in that I was honestly thinking exactly the same thing earlier this week. I am looking for a new church in my county since I just moved and I already go to a church that only has night services on Sundays, but that church doesn't have membership options (it's a Vineyard Church). So, my best guess is that when you become a member you are publicly stating you're accountable to it's members and will hold them accountable and to follow as closely as possible the guidelines of Christianity by serving the church or being in faithful attendance. Honestly, my take on it is that you can still serve fully and attend regularly a church while doing these things - the membership just makes it more official so to speak.

Answer 4

i can only answer for the way my church is set up. there are no classes you must take to become a member-although a lot of churches have them-but you must be a 'saved' believer, as demonstrated by a public profession of faith and/or a letter from a previous church. ordinarily, those wishing to become members are baptized. the prospective member must be accepted by 'the church body' (members) by voice vote, the main benefits to being a member? once you become a member, you have a vote in how the church is run...we vote on major expenditures, whether to have special services, support for families in need in the community, etc...also, in order to serve on various committees, teach sunday school, etc, you must be a member. also, with membership, you are assured a burial plot in the church cemetery. but the important thing is that, by becoming a member, you strengthen your ties to the other members of the church, and are in a position to work together with them for Him. it is this last point that is most important, and has its roots in the epistles...ephesians 4 speaks to this

Answer 5

All denominations have different doctrines .You don't become a member at my Church.You are free to come and go as you please. If you do not belong to the Faith of my Church and you think you might like to, then you can read all about it, and if you decide you want to join the faith, (not the church) you can.

Answer 6

Just to have fellowship and involving in the activities of the church if you have time to do.If you attend the meetings and classes that will be helpful for your faith and life.(it includes teachings, interpretations, meditations, counseling evangelism etc. depending upon the church)

Answer 7

beeze: an surprisingly sturdy and substantial question ! As a Christian, i can assure you, that there are a number of cultic or "cults" obtainable and faith has its proportion too. the particularly some tell-tale signs and symptoms are those: "we are the only ones with the fact". "ought to save the regulation to be saved". No accountability for the top man or woman of that faith. psychological and emotional abuse (on occasion, actual abuse) of the club's kinfolk inclusive of toddlers. The spouse is to be "obedient" to the husband or the ministry disciplines her. loose-will is replaced by using "ought to", "ought to" or "greater beneficial" do it thoughts so as to evade punishment. A cult preaches exclusiveness - no longer "inclusiveness". A cult does no longer foster "selection" yet assembly of a few strict standards. A cult preaches worry-faith, in that "God gets you" for no longer conforming to three coaching or self-synthetic doctrine. the biggest clue is ... you're a human "doing" - no longer a human "being" . Cults prepare a relationship with the guy or persons in fee no longer a relationship with God, the father, interior the direction of the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Cults fail to permit God to do the changing interior of somebody's existence and attempt to do the activity for God. universal, anticipate many cultic communities to upward push up - particularly, as issues start to unravel in our societies, claiming that they have got the corner on "end-time" Bible prophecy. issues seldom are what they provide the impact of being like !!!

Answer 8

You dont need to be initiated into any church,what you need is to recognise the Will of God and adjust your life accordingly.

You dont need any church or mosque to make paradise.What helps you there is your conviction.

Seek and ye shall find.

Answer 9

To become part of the 'family'
sharing the good and bad
Helping others and being helped

Answer 10

From where else will the church earn its profit? You are the living funds of the priests!