![]() The organisation has a clear statement of purpose or beliefs, and it has clearly defined rules and regulations. ![]() In many respects this is just like membership in any other organisation. But when it comes to something like church membership, there are some clearly delineated parameters which need to be in place, which define what the church is all about, what it believes, and what it expects of its members. So yes the church doors are always open for anyone to come in and learn about the Christian faith. Also, those who profess to be believers, but who show that they may not be by wrong conduct or wrong beliefs are also not the stuff of church membership – unless they repent and change. Like any group, there are always boundaries which define the church group, and those who do not belong to Christ are not the stuff of church membership. Church membership has to do with those who are Christ’s by faith and repentance, and those who abide by the house rules. Thus not just anyone who rolls up to a particular church is a committed member of that church. ![]() The New Testament speaks much about committed membership of the redeemed who are in a covenant relationship with God and one another in a local fellowship. I hope you will read that entire article, but here is part of it: But I have explained all this in some detail elsewhere, as in this piece: /1/church-visitors-versus-church-members/ A member of a church is one who has forsaken sin and self and seeks to become more Christlike.Ĭhurch membership therefore includes things like church discipline – admittedly something most churches today have long ago abandoned. But church membership – like all membership – is restrictive. Sure, the non-Christian is welcome to come into churches and hear the gospel being proclaimed. It is a place where the redeemed of the Lord meet together to grow in their faith. The church is a home of sinners to be sure – but sinners who have been forgiven and transformed by Christ. That might sound loving and Christlike, but it is nothing of the sort. They can become members, they can join in all activities, they can even get involved in leadership roles, etc.’ Thus we welcome all sinners into our churches. Today in far too many churches – including supposedly Bible-based evangelical churches – we find this mindset in action: ‘Hey, Jesus was a friend of sinners, and we should be as well. Thank God for one bold and biblical churchman, Glenn Davies:
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