Church Memebership??

[dustydot23]

I am kind of confused on this subject, Do you think it is neccesary to have church memebership. Were in the bible is church membership mentioned.

 

[SFUTMB]

I am kind of confused on this subject, Do you think it is neccesary to have church memebership. Were in the bible is church membership mentioned.

Can you be more clear on your question please for "Do you think it neccesary to have church membership?"

As for the second question, Paul's writings were to the different Churches (e.g., Corinthians) in the Roman Empire. The Christian believers formed themselves into communities in Acts after the first convertion.

Hope this helps

 

[Blueberry Sponge]

You become a member of the body of Christ (the church) when you are saved. There's no human ritual that causes your being added to the church (salvation) - it's strickly between you and God by faith.
As far as being on a local church's "membership role"; I see no Scriptural support for that. Assemble yes. Becoming a "member" in a clerical sense I don't think that's taught in the Bible.

 

[CeCe]

Hebrews 10:25 says: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.



There's nothing that I have found that says or even indicates we should have an "official membership" in a particular church, (which is how I'm reading your question) but we should certainly assemble together. When it comes to the church you attend, the important thing is that it is Bible based.

 

[molly]

I have been having a problem with this too, I've been attending a church for about 6 months and in order to be able to do anything you have to be a member and sign up, I just can not bring myself to do that. It really bothers me, because there's so much I'd like to help with but I'm not a "member so I can't. I asked about this in another thread, after someone gets baptised or signs the by laws an constituion you can vote the member/s in who would vote no anyway? I'm very confused about glad you asked the question.

 

[brewmama]

I am very blessed to be a part of the "Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church", as stated in the Nicene Creed. I am a part of the very Church founded and spread by the Apostles, and there is nothing on earth greater than this! I feel taken care of for life, and when I die I will go through the loving embrace of the Orthodox Church. I am fed every week in the same heavenly worship that is practiced by all in Heaven and across the world in the Liturgy. I just cannot imagine it any other way.

 

[1John5:3]

The church you need to be a "member" of:

Revelation 12:17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

 

[Rick Otto]

[font=VERDANA,ARIAL,HELVETICA,SWISS]Church Membership[/font]
[font=Garamond, VERDANA,ARIAL,HELVETICA,SWISS]By Michael Bunker
"Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.” 1 Corinthians 6:15-17


May 17, 2002 – Joining ourselves to something is very serious business. God has declared it so. To make ourselves “members” of something is to partake in the rewards or punishments of that thing. Consider that Jesus prophesied to the Pharisees that since they were “gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ” (Acts 4:26), that they would CORPORATELY be held responsible for every murder of all of God’s prophets and wise men!

• “Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.” – Matthew 23:34-3

Notice that Jesus said that because they had joined together in league against Him, ALL the righteous blood ever shed upon the earth (from Abel to Zacharias – A to Z) would come upon them. They would specifically be punished, as co-workers and co-rebels, along with ALL of those who had ever come against God or His true servants.

This concept really aggravates anyone with an Arminian mindset. They chafe at the fact that God would hold people responsible for acts in which they had not actively participated. Note that these Pharisees were very Religious men, joined together with the Scribes and other religious sects as the “members” of institutional Judaism of the day. They were the CHURCH on the earth at the time of Christ. They insisted (verse 30) that had they been alive in the days of their fathers, they “would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets”. But in doing so, they were confessing that they were their father’s sons.

Religious men HATE God’s justice. They hate Righteous judgment. So they, through their teachings and actions, accuse God of unrighteousness through the denial of His sovereignty. They idolize and worship their supposed “free will”, while denying that they are the creations of an all-powerful Sovereign God, and as such are banned from bringing a railing accusation against that Creator, by squealing “why have you made me such”. And in doing so, they prove to us they are the children of their fathers. They say that a God who would hold men guilty of crimes committed before they were born must be a sadistic and capricious God - denying, in fact, that the sins of Adam have come upon every child of Adam. Once again, they join themselves in religious league as members of the institutional CHURCH on the earth.

Paul told the Corinthians plainly that they were either:

• a) The members of Jesus Christ, or b) The members of a Harlot.
  

Before you go screaming that Paul was teaching against sexual immorality, let us find out what the Bible labels as Harlotry.

In the Book of Revelation, John tells us that that there has appeared on this earth a woman named MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT. This woman sits on seven mountains (verse 9), and also sits upon many waters (verse 1). She has committed fornication with the Kings of the earth (verse 2), and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication (verse 2).

Note that it was the universal opinion of the Reformers, and of anyone else who honestly examines these scriptures, that the city that sits on seven hills is ROME, and the woman who sits there is the CATHOLIC CHURCH. Also note that the Bible calls this woman the MOTHER OF HARLOTS (verse 5), indicating that her offspring are HARLOTS.

Many will pause here and begin to argue that their particular denomination was never a part of the Catholic Church, and so technically can not be termed her offspring. I know that the Baptists and the Seventh Day Adventists make this claim. But notice what Jesus said to the Pharisees, your denial of your parent does not necessarily mean that you are not her offspring. We know them by their fruit. Since almost 100% of organized Christianity has derived its structure and organization from the Catholic Church, we may safely say that a Harlot can be discerned by comparison with her mother. The Protestant churches today have organized themselves along a hierarchical structure that begins at the top with Pastors (popes, cardinals, etc.) and flows downwards towards the laity. The doctrine of the Nicolaitanes can be clearly seen in the structure of organized Protestantism today.

NICO = conqueror of, or tyranny over

LAITANE = the laity

You might also note that Jesus declares that he HATES Nicolaitanism. Nicolaitanism is treated by Christ in the same manner as Phariseeism.

So let us get our bearings.

The Bible uses the term Harlot almost universally to mean spiritual harlotry. Note that in the early proverbs (1-8), there is a constant contrasting of two different types of woman. Seeking one woman (wisdom and understanding) is encouraged, while seeking the other woman (a harlot) is discouraged. Specifically in Proverbs chapter 7, a parable is unfolded to describe EXACTLY who is a harlot.

In Mark 13:34 Jesus declares that HE is a man taking a far journey. He tells us that He left His house, and that He will return on a day appointed.

In Proverbs chapter 7, a young man, devoid of understanding is going his way to visit a harlot. Note that this is happening “in the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night”. The Hebrew that is translated “in the evening”, along with the other words means: IN THE EVENING OF DAYS. This is a prophecy of the end times.

Also note that a woman comes to meet him. She has been lying in wait. She has prepared a speech that will attract him to her. And PLEASE notice that there is a Harlot ON EVERY STREET CORNER! (verse 12)

She tells the ignorant young man to come into her. She says, “let us take our fill of loves until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves. For the Goodman is not at home, he is gone on a long journey: He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed. ”

Oh please, dear reader, listen to me. It is Jesus that has gone on a long journey! It is Jesus that will return on the day appointed! Please take care to understand that in the evening of days, right before He returns, there will be a Harlot on every street corner enticing those who have no understanding to come in. She only desires that the ignorant man will stay until morning. She is a Harlot.

Paul clearly says that we are NOT to join ourselves to a Harlot. We become a partaker in the deeds of anything we join ourselves to. Church membership is not mentioned ONE TIME in all of scripture. We are not authorized to “join” a church, a denomination, or a cult. We are not to lend ourselves to be “members” of a Harlot!

Let’s examine what the Bible says about “membership”.

First, we see that we (all those who are truly born-again, redeemed) are to be “members” of Christ. In Romans, Paul says that we are servants to whomever we yield our “members”. Paul consistently compares us to the BODY, by calling us the Body of Christ. As a Body, we are not to yield our members to sin and unrighteousness, just as the Body of Christ should not yield its “members” to harlotry. We are either “members” of the Body of Christ, or we are “members” of another entity (the Church) which is foreign to Christ and separated from Him. We are told that “we, being many, are one body, and all members one of another. (Chapter 12, verse 5)”

I specifically adjure you to read what Paul says to us in 1 Corinthians the 12th chapter. He says that we (those who are truly in Christ), like a Body, are one. We are not all the same body parts, but we are all one body. God Himself has set every one of us in the Body as it has pleased Him (verse 18), while specifically ordering us not to join our “members” to anything other than Him. Now, there are many members (verse 20), but ONE true Body. And we should ALWAYS realize that there should never be a SCHISM (separation, split, delineation or gap) in the Body (verse 25).

Just so we don’t miss it, Paul lays it down clearly in verse 27, “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”

So don’t tell me that when this same writer (PAUL) says in this same book (1st Corinthians) that we are not to join our MEMBERS to a Harlot, that he is not specifically banning membership in anything but the Body of Christ. Note that he says in 1 Cor 6:15-17 that you are EITHER a member of Christ, or you are the member of a Harlot.

So we are left with the feeble argument that official Church membership denotes membership in the Body of Christ. That is an argument that is almost too stupid to answer, but we will address it.

Just as membership in a particular sect at the time of Christ did not signify relationship with God, but on the contrary it emphasized the separation FROM God – we can say that membership in the Pharisaical denominations and churches of today is not a sign of Body membership, but rather denotes the opposite. I say this not to condemn those true believers who have yet to come out of institutional religion, but to exhort them to do so immediately. Christ did not choose to save sect members IN their particular sects; rather he called them OUT from them. Paul is not notable to us because he remained a Pharisee, rather we read and heed him because he was brave enough to come OUT from that most heinous of sects.

Since “church” membership is not only NOT authorized in scripture, but it is specifically banned – we can see that the membership “letter” does not tend towards the spiritual freedom preached by Christ and the apostles, but tends towards bondage to sectarian interests and Nicolaitanism in all its forms. Paul asks us then to separate ourselves from that unrighteousness, “putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members ONE of ANOTHER.(Ephesians 4:25)” We cannot continue to abide sectarian religion masquerading as Christianity, because in doing so we hate our own flesh, and we deny that “we are members of His body, of his flesh, and of his bones. (Ephesians 5:30).”

Ignorant men will demand church membership, particularly so that church discipline can be administered. But in declaring that discipline can only be administered to members who have joined themselves to a Harlot – the ignorant leader has declared that he is the master of a Harlot, a pimp in spiritual terms.

If a formal letter of “membership” is required in order for the Body to correct itself, where is the spiritual parallel in our own bodies? The apostles used the Body as a shadow of the Body of Christ specifically so that we would draw conclusions in relation to our own bodies. Does my foot need a letter in order to be joined to my leg? Does my head require a signed letter from my hand in order to be fed?

Any group who requires Church membership in order that they might “legally” engage in Church discipline is clearly too ignorant and immature to be disciplining anyone. The membership letter in this way has become a tool of bondage and abuse and NOT a tool of fellowship in the election mystery.

When we become “members” of the True Body of Jesus Christ, we break all allegiances with the traditions and organizations of men. Our membership is a spiritual mystery in which the unredeemed and unregenerate cannot partake. Note that even the most strident supporters of “Church membership” will admit that they have “members” who are not truly Christians. In this admission, they must also admit that they are co-members with unrighteousness, and partakers of all that is unholy. They have joined themselves in league with the children of darkness, and as Christ prophesied, they will be held responsible for all the works of darkness.

Repentance is a work of God, and it is a gift provided by a Sovereign God to His elect. I pray that those who have participated in this evil will understand that it is the goodness of God that leads us to real repentance. Thank Him for His goodness, and seek His face for future guidance.

For those who harden their hearts against the Truth and who seek to rationalize unholy behavior, I leave you with the direct exhortation of Jesus Christ regarding Nicolaitanism: “Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.”

“Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.”

I am your servant in Christ Jesus, Michael Bunker

[/font]-Hope y'all enjoyed that,
Otto

 

[n2wolves]

No man or manmade organization adds one to the body of Christ, only he can do that. God Bless

 

[aanjt]

There is nothing in the Bible that you must be a member of a particular church. But, if you want a voice in your church, you will probably need to be a member. If you want a voice in the denomination, you will have to be a member to get on some kind of committee to have a voice or vote in the denomination. Now, I know in my church (Episcopal), at least at my parish, one does not have to be a member to teach Sunday School to children, sing in the choir or even be an acolyte (think altar boy or altar girl). But if you want to be on the vestry, and other things, you have to be a communicant in good standing and a member of the parish.

Think about it for a second. If you were a member of a church, was a communicant in good standing (which means that not only do you go to church, you also are a pledging member), and someone comes into the church, will not commit to membership to the church, but wants a say/voice in how things are done. I think that will make my skin crawl. Why have a voice/say in what goes on if the person isn't willing to make a commitment to the church through membership?

Yours in Christ,
Jen

 

[Rick Otto]

great attitude.
I have to agree completely.
I think making that committment requires counting the cost, to put it in biblical terms, and the cost of membership ultimately costs a personal compromise since the authority is nicolaitan if it is denominational, never mind the State license they routinely accept (in the U.S.).
Talk about issues!

 

[Chloe~]

Khm... Well, I went thru a bad experience where one brother decided that he is called by God to pastor our church (he was an elder then) and started teaching about submission to authority and rebellion... He eventually did become the pastor, because the church was about to split up and the other elder chose to humble himself and step off from the position of authority. After that I didn't feel like I was a part of that Church... and I was asked to sign loyalty to the new leadership, which I couldn't do honestly... Because of not signing that paper I wasn't considered a member anymore, although I was in that church for 5 yrs. All that made me feel even less like I belonged there... Eventually, after many tears and prayers, and much struggle, I left. I followed the elder that stepped down from the position of authority to a new church plant that was offerd to him... And now I am a member, but there are no papers to sign, nothing man-made... I am grateful for this freedom

 

[reverend B]

Membership, by its very nature, sets up an "us" and "them" scenario. It leads to a sense of ownership and pride, and who does not want to defend what they own? It is a slippery slope. My experience with church is it becomes more important than God. Maybe that is why Christ said, "Where two or three gather in my name..........."
It starts getting a little goofy after that.

 

[welshchick]

i just add to what everyone else has said.

there's nowhere in the Bible that talks about official church membership.

Being a believer adds you to the spiritual membership of God anyway.

I have the same problem - have been in the same church now for a couple of years, and my church is quite big on becoming a member. but i just dont feel right becoming a member yet. also, i do a lot more stuff, attend more services than some of the other actual members do! so in a way i am already fulfilling the duty of a member anyway.

 

[HoT-MetaL]

i dont think that church should be seen as a 'membership' but their does need to be a system in which the people in the church are known, and submission should be there from the congregation.

HOWEVER

Being from England, laws require some churches (depending on buildings) to have memberships. Its something that simply comes with the buidling. Im not sure what the laws are else-where, and the one i refer to here goes with the use of churches sharing buildings with schools.

God Bless, metal.

 

[JimfromOhio]

From: Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
mem·ber·ship
Function: noun
1 : the state or status of being a member
2 : the body of members

mem·ber
Function: noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English membre, from Old French, from Latin membrum; akin to Gothic mimz flesh, Greek mEros thigh
1 : a body part or organ
2 : one of the individuals composing a group
3 : a person baptized or enrolled in a church

Church Membership
Acts 2:41-42
Steadfast continuation in right doctrine, spiritual fellowship, attending the Lord’s table, and the prayer meetings should be regarded as normal and binding upon every church member. This is not only supported by the example of the early Christians but by the exhortations of the apostles (Heb. 10: 24, 25) and elsewhere in the New Testament (Acts 20: 16-32; Rev. 2 and 3; Eph. 4: 1-16). The pastors are responsible for those who are clearly joined to the church. All the members of a church are involved in the calling of a pastor and in the appointment of deacons. There is no such thing as a perfect church, for there are no such things as perfect Christians. It is well to remember, therefore, that in joining a church a believer is not to think in terms of what might receive, but rather of what they might contribute. Where do you fit in?

In my opinion, non-members avoid being members so that won't "commit" to do what God wanted them to do. Being a member means being involved and being "part" of a growing church.

Ephesians 2
18For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
19Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.

Read 1 Timothy 3

 

[welshchick]

In my opinion, non-members avoid being members so that won't "commit" to do what God wanted them to do. Being a member means being involved and being "part" of a growing church.

i probably agree with you there, but it does differ from person to person.

I am not a member of my church, but I am very involved in it, more so than many other members.

I guess i take membership really seriously and i'm not prepared to commit to it until i'm 100% sure. I'm not amazingly happy at my church. The ministry is excellent, but there aren't really many people my age there, so i often feel left out and at a disadvantage to many other Christians because i don't have many Christian friends my age. for example, all the Christian friends i have who go to big churches all have boyfriends/girlfriends from that church who are Christians. for me, there isn't anyone for me to have a relationship with, so i feel all left out (its shallow i know). But i stick to the belief that God will bring in people my age in time. if i leave the church then there's probably even less hope of people my age coming in, so i stay.

so i often feel tempted to go to other churches, and so until i sort out my own issues, and other issues, i cant even think about membership.

 

[Flynmonkie]

My experience with church is it becomes more important than God. Maybe that is why Christ said, "Where two or three gather in my name..........."
It starts getting a little goofy after that.

LOL!
IMHO.......
I also am not a member of a church. I read the bible, study and pray. I would be very leary of churches that do not accept you based on membership or any other discriminating factor especially being a sinner. We are all sinners and come short of the Glory of God. We are all equal in his eyes. Anyone whom is earnestly seeking should feel welcome. No such thing as "purity in the church". No one should be denied access to his word, or fellowship. However, there are some great ones out there I am sure but no matter what -Always test everything you hear against what the bible says and pray alot about it!

 

[TSIBHOD]

I think a church is wrong to require its members to be offical "members." A "member" to me is someone who participates in the body of Christ, however little. It is someone who wants to use what God-given abilities he has for Jesus.

There should be no contracts or membership forms, but there should be commitment. People should not hop around from one church to another, as this makes it nearly impossible for them to be a "member," someone who participates in the body. People in leadership in a church should definitely have a high level of commitment, that they will not try to split a church or become power-grasping.

 

[JimfromOhio]

In Matthew 18:15-17, Jesus set up an accountability system. When a professing believer starts living like an unbeliever, those in the church who know about it are to confront him about his sin. First, one is to go to this person, and then, if he will not listen, the one is to bring one or two others along for a second conversation. The goal is to restore him back to full fellowship with the Lord and his fellow believers. If he persistently and unrepentantly refuses to return to the Lord, the final step is to report the matter to the church. Then everyone in the church has the chance to win the person back. And if he continues in his sin, the church is to withdraw fellowship from him as the final means of showing him his need to repent. If you aren't part of the church, they have no authority over you and cannot do what Jesus said to do. Unless you join the church, your independence places you outside the way Jesus wants things to happen. Incidentally, when Jesus says in verse 17 to bring this matter "to the church," how do you know who should be notified (and who should not be) unless there is a formally recognized membership? Related to this idea of spiritual authority, recall Hebrews 13:17, the passage we examined which tells us to obey the leaders of the church and submit to them because they keep watch over our souls. The leaders of the church are to "watch over" you by providing spiritual protection for you and caring about your growth in Christ. You place yourself outside that spiritual watchcare unless you join a local church. The meaning of the word "join" in Acts. 5:13 makes sense only in the context of membership. In Acts 5:13 we read of the reaction of the non-Christians in Jerusalem after a couple within the church, Ananias and Sapphira, had died on the spot when it was revealed that they had lied to the church. It says, "Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly." The unbelievers had great respect for the Christians, but after this incident none of them who claimed to be converted but were outward-only believers wanted to join the church. In the Greek language in which Paul wrote this letter, the word he used that's translated here as "join" literally means "to glue or cement together, to unite, to join firmly." It doesn't refer to an informal, merely assumed sort of relationship, but one where you choose to "glue" or "join" yourself firmly to the others. Again, that kind of language only makes sense in the context of membership. That same "glue word" is used in the New Testament to describe being joined together in a sexual relationship (1 Corinthians 6:16) and being joined to the Lord in one spirit in salvation (1 Corinthians 6:17). And it's the very same word Paul uses in 1 Corinthians 5:11 when he says "not to keep company with" any so-called brother who continues in immorality, but rather to "put away from yourselves the evil person." Clearly this kind of language doesn't refer to a casual, superficial, or informal relationship. So when it says in Acts 5:13 that no insincere believer "dared join them," the "glue word" used there speaks of such a cohesive, bonding relationship that it must be referring to a recognized church membership. The meaning of "the whole church" in 1 Corinthians 14:23 makes sense only in the context of membership
The earthly founder of the church at Corinth, the Apostle Paul, wrote to this new body of Christians about their many difficulties, including how to bring order to their public worship. He began 1 Corinthians 14:23 with, "Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, . . ." Who did he have in mind when he referred to "the whole church"? The only realistic answer is "the church members." That's why one commentator, working with the original language of this text, translates it "If then the whole church assembles together and all its members" and notes "(the last two words are not in the Greek but are naturally to be understood)."1 Imagine the leaders of the Corinthian Christians walking into the gathering of the church for worship one Sunday. Would they have known by looking, or would they have had some way of deciding, whether "the whole church" was there? Surely they would have known who was supposed to be present in a churchwide meeting and who was missing. But how else could they have known when "the whole church" was "together in one place" without knowing who was a member and who wasn't? This implies a verifiable membership.
The instructions for pastoral oversight and spiritual leadership make sense only in the context of membership "This is a faithful saying:," said Paul to Timothy, "If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work" (1 Timothy 3:1). In other places the New Testament also refers to a bishop, or "overseer" as the NIV and NASB render it, as a pastor or elder (Acts 20:17, 28; Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:5-7). But what or whom does he oversee? How can he provide spiritual oversight if he doesn't know exactly those for whom he is responsible? A distinguishable, mutually-understood membership is required for him to fulfill his charge. Down in verse 5 it says of an overseer, "for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?" The local church is compared to a family. Is anyone a casual member of a family? No, membership in a family is a very definite thing.
"Take heed to yourselves," Paul instructed the elders of the church of Ephesus, "and to all the flock" (Acts 20:28). How could they fulfill their responsibility as undershepherds to "all" the flock unless they knew who was part of "the flock" and who was not? These leaders of a growing church in a large city needed some means of identification of those for whom they were to "take heed." A simple membership list is the logical solution. In Hebrews 13:17 is a word addressed to those under such overseers: "Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you." For whom will the leaders of a church give an account-everyone who comes in and out of their church services? No, it has to be a limited group of people-the members of the church-for whom they will be answerable. Otherwise, how can church leaders be responsible for someone until they know he or she is committed to their care? The Bible's instructions for pastoral oversight and spiritual leadership can best be obeyed when there is a well-defined church membership. The metaphors used to describe local churches (flock, temple, body, household) make sense only in the context of membership.The New Testament uses several metaphors to describe churches. Some of these metaphors describe the church of Christ collectively throughout the world. While all of them could potentially apply to the local church also, at least four of these metaphors-flock, temple, body, and household-are definitely used to refer to individual churches (in Acts 20:28; Ephesians 2:21; 1 Corinthians 12:27, and 1 Timothy 3:15). And each metaphor is best understood in a setting of specific church membership. A flock of sheep isn't a random collection of ewes, rams, and lambs. Shepherds know their flocks. They know which sheep are theirs to care for and which are not. Sheep belong to specific flocks. This is also the way it should be for God's spiritual sheep. A temple building, just like a church building, shouldn't have any loose bricks or blocks. If it does, something's wrong. Each one of them has a definite place. "There is no place," said an English preacher long ago, "for any loose stone in God's edifice."2 The same analogy is true for a human body. Your body isn't a casual collection of loosely related parts. You don't keep your fingers in your pocket until you need them. They are joined. They are members of the body. The local body of Christ should be like this also-those joined to Christ, who are members of His body-should express that relationship through a visible membership. And in a household, a family, you're either a member or you're not. So if you are part of the family of God, show it by joining a local expression of God's family.