Why Church Membership Matters

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Apr 4, 2024

In this engaging discussion, rural pastor Will Basham shares insights from his experience founding New Heights Church. He dives into the significance of church membership in today's culture, emphasizing its role in fostering commitment and community. Will explains how a solid membership process enhances discipleship and aids in accountability. He also discusses the biblical underpinnings of membership while addressing common challenges in creating a membership culture. Tune in to discover ways to make church membership appealing and beneficial for everyone.

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INSIGHT

Membership Counters Hyper-Individualism

Hyper-individualism in American culture breeds noncommitment and undermines church community.
Will Basham argues membership restores biblical commitment and counters lone-ranger Christianity.

ADVICE

Champion Membership Regularly

Use the pulpit and regular interest nights to teach and invite people into membership.
Schedule membership classes every 4–6 weeks and personally invite regular attenders to consider joining.

INSIGHT

Scripture Implies Local Membership

New Testament passages imply formal local membership through roles, enrollment, and accountability.
Will cites widows' enrollment, Acts 6 selections, and Hebrews 13's accountability to support membership structure.

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Host Tony Merida chats with rural pastor and planter Will Basham to discuss the advantages of church membership, not only for the church but for its people, too. Tune in to discover how you can take discipleship to the next level by engaging your congregation through the process of church membership.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

How church membership finds its place in today’s cultural and religious landscape
Ways to champion this element of church life from the pulpit and platform
The scriptural basis for church membership and commitment
How to choose the right membership process for your own church context
The benefits of being known and loved by the local expression of the body of Christ

Helpful Resources:

Will’s book: Rural Mission: Insights from a Rural Church Planter
Tony’s Book: Love Your Church: 8 Great Things about Being a Church Member
Are you part of a new church plant? Learn more about our new church offer here.
Interested in learning more? Check out our Church Planting Primer.

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Sharable Quotes (#NewChurches):

Being committed and loyal and remaining in community even when it’s not pleasant is a biblical principle and a good value for us to hold individually as we step into something collectively. – Will Basham

The idea of church discipline really falls apart without some kind of membership setup, and the idea of accountability with brothers and sisters in Christ crumbles without real membership. – Will Basham

I’m going to have to stand before Jesus one day and give an account for the people in my care. If there’s no membership, the question is “Who’s in my care?” That gray area is eliminated by having formal membership. – Will Basham

Some people think of membership negatively, but the church wants to care for you. We want you to be a part of us, not just some mindless formality. There’s a real spiritual blessing there because you need to use your gifts and the church needs your gifts. – Tony Merida

You show that you’re part of the universal church by identifying with a particular local church the same way you show that you’re spiritually united to Jesus by actually walking with Him. – Tony Merida

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