Monthly Archives: July 2011

Is Church Membership Biblical?

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“Church membership is a formal relationship between a local church and a Christian characterized by the church’s affirmation and oversight of a Christian’s discipleship and the Christian’s submission to living out his or her discipleship in the care of the church.”

I haven’t always believed in a formal Church membership, over time I began to see the sheer weight of evidence of the New Testament scriptures that clearly shows that the early Church did indeed have a form of membership.

One verse I came across, Hebrews 13:17, I found to be very convincing, all by itself. There believers are told:

“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”

In thinking about the implications of the verse I realised that it could only be implemented if:

(1) Each believer knows the identity of the leaders he/she is to submit to

(2) The Elders/Leaders know exactly who they are accountable for

For this to happen VERY STRONGLY implies church membership – the people belong to a local church with elders in place and all know who are a part. It seems that this verse was also instrumental in changing Pastor Matt Chandler’s thinking on the issue. Here’s a short article by him on the subject: Continue reading →

Friday Round Up and a Recommendation for Pastors

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(1) Please keep our evangelistic outreach to Kerala, India in your prayers. Update here.

(2) Its been well said, “If your pastor is struggling, and you are not praying for him, the failure is yours too. If your pastor is succeeding, and you are praying for him, the victory is yours together.” I want to remind you to pray for your Pastor and elders. They are God’s gift to you for the welfare of your soul.

Pastor Alistair Begg writes, “Brothers, our work is solemnly momentous, involving good or ill to thousands; we deal with souls for God on eternal business, and our word is either a savor of life unto life or of death unto death. A very heavy responsibility rests upon us, and it will be no small mercy if at the last we be found clear of the blood of all men. As officers in Christ’s army, we are the special target of the hostility of men and devils; they watch for our faltering and work to trip us at the heels.

Our sacred calling involves us in temptations from which you are exempt; above all it too often draws us away from our personal enjoyment of truth into a ministerial and official consideration of it. We meet with many difficult cases, and our wits are at a quandary; we observe very sad backslidings, and our hearts are wounded; we see millions perishing, and our spirits sink. We wish to encourage you by our preaching; we desire to be a blessing to your children; we long to be useful both to saints and sinners.

Therefore, dear friends, intercede for us with our God. We are miserable men if we miss the help of your prayers, but happy are we if we live in your supplications. You do not look to us but to our Master for spiritual blessings, and yet how many times has He given those blessings through His ministers; ask then, again and again, that we may be the earthen vessels into which the Lord may put the treasure of the Gospel. We, the whole company of missionaries, ministers, and students, do in the name of Jesus beseech you: “Brothers, pray for us.” (1 Thess 5:25)”

Here is a outline for prayer as the weekend approaches. Many have shared with me that it has been a very useful and practical guide.

(3) Earlier this week I wrote two posts called “Letter to a Charismatic” (1) and (2). In it I refered to the Church in Redding, California led by Bill Johnson. I am even further troubled after reading this review of Bill Johnson’s book “When Heaven Invades Earth.”

(4) Ligonier has some SUPER deals today in this week’s $5 Friday sale here. I would particularly recommend getting the book “Five Things Every Christian Needs to Grow.”

“People need to maintain a diet of nutritious foods if their bodies are to grow and thrive. But what do the people of God need in order to grow and thrive in the Christian faith? In this book, noted theologian and pastor R.C. Sproul identifies five of the crucial “nutrients” that promote spiritual growth: Bible study, prayer, worship, service, and stewardship. With biblical insight and practical wisdom, Dr. Sproul teaches Christians how to maintain a balanced “diet” that will lead to growth and mature Christian living. This book is an important resource for new believers to learn these spiritual disciplines and become grounded in the Christian faith in a way that anyone can understand.”

Pastors – perhaps consider making this book a gift for each family in the church. Normally it is $12 per book so the $5 price today is certainly worth considering. Sale starts Friday at 8 a.m. EST and ends Saturday at 8 a.m. EST here. Remember, if you decide to purchase material, you can claim a further 10% discount on these and on ALL Ligonier products (as a reader of this blog) by using the coupon code EGRACE10.

Ephesians 2:1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins… 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.