What is church "membership?"

DingDing said:

...There are those that, in most any church, are part of the "inner circle"; those in this "circle" make all the rules and set all the doctrines. But who are they and how did they get there? ... And how would another become a member of this "inner circle"?

Click to expand...

An answer that explains what is going on in many churches is the same answer that answers many questions. "Follow the money." I have been a member of several churches where the church leaders were the biggest donors. Persons of more modest means didn't stand a chance of being in any leadership position. Thankfully, I have not encountered that in my present church, where leaders tend to be persons who are rational, have voice to express themselves, and are good decision makers. But we elect them by nomination and congregational vote, not pastoral anointment.

seeking.IAM said:

An answer that explains what is going on in many churches is the same answer that answers many questions. "Follow the money."

Click to expand...

Unfortunately, I had to laugh openly at that last comment, only because I know it is often true. Sad, but true.

seeking.IAM said:

I have been a member of several churches where the church leaders were the biggest donors. Persons of more modest means didn't stand a chance of being in any leadership position. Thankfully, I have not encountered that in my present church, where leaders tend to be persons who are rational, have voice to express themselves, and are good decision makers. But we elect them by nomination and congregational vote, not pastoral anointment.

Click to expand...

I am glad that you have found what seems to be a good and open church. I hope there are no significant disappointments hiding around any corners.

I don't know how carefully you have read some of my recent posts in this thread, or if you get what I have been driving at, but I'm not sure that most people had dug deeply into what goes on in the inner workings of many churches. I know there are some good churches out there, but in my experience they are the exception; most churches have significant issues at the leadership level, and this is not often easily discerned. But as for me, I will try to remain as faithful to Jesus Christ and His truth as I can; even if this means being rejected by the inner circle of church power.

DingDing said:

So what person (or group of persons) control the church? Someone(s) must be at the top, so who is that? I would recommend finding out, and do let me know what you find. (For I am curious, as you should be.)

Click to expand...

They have a board, a pastor, an associate pastor the same as most churches do. They just don't require a formal membership.

God is in control of that church as I've seen it in the fruits.

In my church members are allowed to vote for deacon board and etc that non members cannot do.
In my opinion being a member of the church is a way of showing your unity and devotion to the church.

DingDing said:

I could not help but notice no mention of commitment to the LORD Jesus Christ in the above. This is a problem. A lot of churches can claim just what you said above, but they have no deep commitment to the LORD and His teachings. This is a serious problem, more serious than you realize.

Click to expand...

Thank you for the correction. Indeed, the Lord Jesus Christ is above all. I was thinking in terms of the commitment to the local church in human terms, but, yes, you are correct, the commitment must be obedience to Jesus Christ first and foremost.

RDKirk said:

It ought as well to mean a commitment of the pastor and congregation to you.

Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

I've had a couple of pastors provide that as the primary reason for having membership rolls, and one pastor said outright, "If you are a member of this congregation, you will never have to worry about having a place to sleep, food to eat, or clothing to wear."

Click to expand...

I agree. I was not necessarily looking at that perspective, but what you wrote it true.

Edo2 said:

They have a board, a pastor, an associate pastor the same as most churches do. They just don't require a formal membership.

God is in control of that church as I've seen it in the fruits.

Click to expand...

What this shows is that it is possible to operate a congregation without having formal memberships.

It does not show that every congregation can function that way or that there is anything wrong with having formal memberships.

I haven't read all six pages of posts so, hopefully, this isn't duplicate information.
First on the subject of church membership, or even attendance. Here is a sermon concerning how God commands our worship. What Is Biblical Worship?

Second the Lords table. Here is what the Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter XXIX of the Lord's Supper, Paragraph VII and VIII say about it.

VII. Worthy receivers, outwardly partaking of the visible elements in this sacrament, do then also inwardly by faith, really and indeed, yet not carnally and corporally, but spiritually, receive and feed upon Christ crucified, and all benefits of his death: the body and blood of Christ being then not corporally or carnally in, with, or under the bread and wine; yet as really, but spiritually, present to the faith of believers in that ordinance, as the elements themselves are to their outward senses.

VIII. Although ignorant and wicked men receive the outward elements in this sacrament, yet they receive not the thing signified thereby; but by their unworthy coming thereunto are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord, to their own damnation. Wherefore all ignorant and ungodly persons, as they are unfit to enjoy communion with him, so are they unworthy of the Lord’s table, and can not, without great sin against Christ, while they remain such, partake of these holy mysteries, or be admitted thereunto.

—Westminster Confession of Faith (1646)

Here is further information on how we are to prepare for and our requirements concerning the Lord's Supper.

Larger Catechism Questions

Q. 168. What is the Lord’s supper?
A. The Lord’s supper is a sacrament of the New Testament,z wherein, by giving and receiving bread and wine according to the appointment of Jesus Christ, His death is shewed forth; and they that worthily communicate feed on His body and blood, to their spiritual nourishment and growth in gracea; have their union and communion with Him confirmed;b testify and renew their thankfulness,c and engagement to God,d and their mutual love and fellowship each with other, as members of the same mystical body.e
z. Luke 22:20. a. Matthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.
b. 1 Corinthians 10:16. c. 1 Corinthians 11:24.
d. 1 Corinthians 10:14-16, 21. e. 1 Corinthians 10:17.

Q. 169. How hath Christ appointed bread and wine to be given and received in the sacrament of the Lord’s supper?
A. Christ hath appointed the ministers of His word, in the administration of this sacrament of the Lord’s supper, to set apart the bread and wine from common use, by the word of institution, thanksgiving, and prayer; to take and break the bread, and to give both the bread and the wine to the communicants: who are, by the same appointment, to take and eat the bread, and to drink the wine, in thankful remembrance that the body of Christ was broken and given, and His blood shed, for them.f
f. 1 Corinthians 11:23-24; Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24;
Luke 22:19-20.

Q. 170. How do they that worthily communicate in the Lord’s supper feed upon the body and blood of Christ therein?
A. As the body and blood of Christ are not corporaly or carnally present in, with, or under the bread and wine in the Lord’s supper,g and yet are spiritually present to the faith of the receiver, no less truly and really than the elements themselves are to their outward senses;h so they that worthily communicate in the sacrament of the Lord’s supper, do therein feed upon the body and blood of Christ, not after a corporal and carnal, but in a spiritual manner; yet truly and really,i while by faith they receive and apply unto themselves Christ crucified, and all the benefits of His death.k
g. Acts 3:21. h. Matthew 26:26, 28. i. 1 Corinthians 11:24-29.
k. 1 Corinthians 10:16.

Q. 171. How are they that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s supper to prepare themselves before they come unto it?
A. They that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s supper are, before they come, to prepare themselves thereunto, by examining themselves,l of their being in Christ,m of their sins and wants;n of the truth and measure of their knowledge,o faith,p repentance;q love to God and the brethen,r charity to all men,s forgiving those that have done them wrong;t of their desires after Christ,v and of their new obedience;w and by renewing the exercise of these graces,x by serious meditation,y and fervent prayer.z
l. 1 Corinthians 11:28. m. 2 Corinthians 13:5.
n. 1 Corinthians 5:7; Exodus 12:15. o. 1 Corinthians 11:29.
p. 2 Corinthians 13:5; Matthew 26:28. q. Zechariah 12:10; 1 Corinthians 11:31.
r. 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; Acts 2:46-47.
s. 1 Corinthians 5:8; 1 Corinthians 11:18, 20. t. Matthew 5:23-24.
v. Isaiah 55:1; John 7:37. w. 1 Corinthians 5:7-8.
x. 1 Corinthians 11:25-26, 28; Hebrews 10:21-22, 24; Psalm 26:6.
y. 1 Corinthians 11:24-25. z. 2 Chronicles 30:18-19; Matthew 26:26.

Q. 172. May one who doubteth of his being in Christ, or of his due preparation, come to the Lord’s supper?
A. One who doubteth of his being in Christ, or of his due preparation to the sacrament of the Lord’s supper, may have true interest in Christ, though he be not yet assured thereof;a and in God’s account hath it, if he be duly affected with the apprehension of the want of it,b and unfeignedly desires to be found in Christ,c and to depart from iniquity: in which case (because promises are made, and this sacrament is appointed, for the relief even of weak and doubting Christians) he is to bewail his unbelief,f and labour to have his doubts resolved;g and, so doing, he may and ought to come to the Lord’s supper, that he may be further strengthened.h
a. Isaiah 1:10; 1 John 5:13; Psalm 88:1-18; Psalm 77:1-4, 7-10; Jonah 2:4, 7. b. Isaiah 54:7-10; Matthew 5:3-4; Psalm 31:22; Psalm 73:13, 22-23.
c. Philippians 3:8-9; Psalm 10:17; Psalm 42:1-2, 5, 11.
d. 2 Timothy 2:19; Isaiah 1:10; Psalm 66:18-20.
e. Isaiah 40:11, 29, 31; Matthew 11:28; Matthew 12:20; Matthew 26:28.
f. Mark 9:24. g. Acts 2:37; Acts 16:30. h. Romans 4:11; 1 Corinthians 11:28.

Q. 173. May any who profess the faith, and desire to come to the Lord’s supper, be kept from it?
A. Such as are found to be ignorant or scandalous, notwithstanding their profession of the faith, and desire to come to the Lord’s supper, may and ought to be kept from that sacrament, by the power which Christ hath left in His church,i until they receive instruction, and manifest their reformation.k
i. 1 Corinthians 11:27-34; cf. Matthew 7:6, 1 Corinthians 5:1-13, Jude 23,
1 Timothy 5:22. k. 2 Corinthians 2:7.

Q. 174. What is required of them that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s supper in the time of the administration of it?
A. It is required of them that receive the sacrament of the Lord’s
supper, that, during the time of the administration of it, with all holy reverence and attention they wait upon God in that ordinance,l diligently observe the sacramental elements and actions,m heedfully discern the Lord’s body,n and affectionately meditate on His death and sufferings,o and thereby stir up themselves to a vigorous exercise of their graces;p in judging themselves,q and sorrowing for sin;r in earnest hungering and thirsting after Christ,s feeding on Him by faith,t receiving of His fulness,v trusting in His merits,w rejoicing in His love,x giving thanks for His grace;y in renewing of their covenant with God,z and love to all the saints.a
l. Leviticus 10:3; Hebrews 12:28; Psalm 5:7; 1 Corinthians 11:17, 26-27.
m. Exodus 24:8; Matthew 26:28. n. 1 Corinthians 11:29.
o. Luke 22:19. p. 1 Corinthians 11:26; 1 Corinthians 10:3-5, 11, 14.
q. 1 Corinthians 11:31. r. Zechariah 12:10. s. Revelation 22:17.
t. John 6:35. v. John 1:16. w. Philippians 1:16.
x. Psalm 63:4, 5; 2 Chronicles 30:21. y. Psalm 22:26.
z. Jeremiah 1:5; Psalm 1:5. a. Acts 2:42.

Q. 175. What is the duty of Christians, after they have received the sacrament of the Lord’s supper? A. The duty of Christians, after they have received the sacrament of the Lord’s supper, is seriously to consider how they have behaved themselves therein, and with what success;b if they find quickening and comfort, to bless God for it,c beg the continuance of it,d watch against relapses,e fulfill their vows,f and encourage themselves to a frequent attendance on that ordinance: but if they find no present benefit, more exactly to review their preparation to, and carriage at, the sacrament;h in both which, if they can approve themselves to God and their own consciences, they are to wait for the fruit of it in due time: but, if they see they have failed in either, they are to be humbled,k and to attend upon it afterwards with more care and diligence.l
b. Psalm 28:7; Psalm 85:8; 1 Corinthians 11:17, 30-31.
c. 2 Chronicles 30:21-23, 25-26; Acts 2:42, 46-47.
d. Psalm 36:10; Song of Solomon 3:4; 1 Chronicles 29:18.
e. 1 Corinthians 10:3-5, 12. f. Psalm 50:14.
g. 1 Corinthians 11:25-26; Acts 2:42, 46.
h. Song of Solomon 5:1-6; Ecclesiastes 5:1-6.
i. Psalm 123:1-2; Psalm 42:5, 8; Psalm 43:3-5.
k. 2 Chronicles 30:18-19; Isaiah 1:16, 18.
l. 2 Corinthians 7:11; 1 Chronicles 15:12-14.

Notice Question 173 and its answer. The Minister has the duty to "fence" the table keeping those he knows to be unworthy from it. This is The Lord's Table and it is not the prerogative of the Minister to say "Yall Come".

Note also the Scripture proofs for all the answers.

I commend to all the reading of the Westminster Confession of Faith and the larger and Shorter Catechism. If you become familiar with these documents you will know more about the Bible than a good many Ministers.

BlackZeppelin said:

If you are faithfully and regularly attending a local church, faithfully supporting it financially and involved in it, aren't you automatically a "member?".

Click to expand...

In some churches that is the case, but in a great many churches, that is not the case.

Membership usually means that you accept the statement of faith of that Church. Which means you usually have to take some sort of class explaining just what the teachings of that church ARE so that you will know whether you accept or reject them. Usually folks have a problem with one or two teachings, but accept most of them, in order to become members. Even non-denominational Churches have their own set of beliefs, like Calvary Chapel believes in Pre-trib rapture, the the Catholic Church is the harlot of Babylon, Once Saved Always Saved, etc.

In some cases, the Church has a rite of membership. In other churches, you just fill out a membership form. In many churches, being baptized in that church includes church membership; for example, if you are baptised in a Lutheran church, you are automatically a Lutheran.

Membership may make a difference in whether you can vote on issues, how much you have to pay for the church for weddings, or even whether you can partake of communion, all depending on the denomination.

IMHO, a church has a right to make a distinction between those who simply attend (no matter how regularly) and those who are committed to its teachings. If a Presbyterian Church teaches the 5 points of Calvinism, someone who believes in free will or that you can lose your salvation should simply not be on the same level. I would also add that no one has any business teaching in that Church unless they share the beliefs of that denomination (IOW are members). This is the only way to maintain the integrity of the church's beliefs.

May I ask you a question? When you found out that you were not a member, why didn't you inquire into how one becomes a member and take care of it, since you were so invested in the church?

GREAT answer. +1