What is Church Membership?

Church Basics What is Church Membership? (Part One)

Sunday, May 31, 2026

Introduction

I’m a Christian, but I don’t think that I need to be part of a church. This is a common refrain. In our culture there are many people who claim to be followers of Jesus, but who don’t see any need for the church. But a poor understanding of church membership isn’t reserved for those outside of the church. Even among those who belong to a church, there’s often a dismissal of church membership. They may see it as useful, but not essential. Or, they may say something like, I’m a member of a church, but I don’t think being a member really matters all that much.

What about you? What do you think about church membership? Or, here’s a better question, what does the Bible say about church membership? After all, if it’s God’s design and plan for us to commit to a local church, then it’s something we should take seriously. If, however, the Bible doesn’t teach the necessity of church membership, then we should be very hesitant to draw lines where God hasn’t.

This sermon is the first of two sermons on church membership. In this first sermon we will see that the New Testament both assumes and promotes church membership. We will also consider a few benefits that come with being a member of a local church.

Biblical Foundations of Church Membership

• While there’s no one place in the Bible where we can go to get a definition of church membership, the entire New Testament both assumes church membership and describes Christians living together in a committed way within the church.

• The example of the early church – One way we see church membership in the New Testament is through the example of the early church. After the return of Jesus to heaven 120 followers of Jesus gathered in Jerusalem (Acts 1:15). However, very soon many people came to Christ for salvation and were added to the church (Acts 2:40 41). And not only was the church growing numerically, but we also see the church living and functioning together in a committed way (Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-33; 6:1-7). The church in Jerusalem continued to grow until persecution began, then these Christians began to scatter throughout the region (Acts 8:1). But as they scattered new churches were established everywhere they went (Acts 9:31).

• The appointing of elders – Another way we see church membership in the New Testament is in the appointing of elders and in the instructions given to elders. What’s clear is that elders (or pastors) were appointed in every church and that they knew the people who belonged to that church. Elders are called to care for the flock and to give an account for them. These instructions would not make sense if the elders didn’t know who belonged to their flock or congregation (Acts 20:28-30; 1 Peter 5:1-5; Hebrews 13:17).

• The exercise of church discipline – A third way we see church membership in the New Testament is in the instructions for church discipline. The Scriptures teach that when a person continues to live in ongoing and unrepentant sin, they should be put out of the church (1 Corinthians 5:1-5; 12-13). The fact that someone can be put out of the church makes it clear that there is a difference between those who are in (members) and those who are out (non-members).

• The imagery of the New Testament – The Bible uses all kinds of imagery to describe the nature of the church, and the imagery reinforces the committed relationship between church members and the existence of church membership. For example, in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 the church is described as one body with many members who all rely on one another and who care for one another (vv. 24-26).

Benefits of Church Membership

• The assurance it offers – The church receives members by affirming the genuineness of prospective member’s profession of faith. Likewise, we remain members of a church as long as our lives reflect the genuineness of our faith in Christ. In these ways, our life together with the church can provide a means of assurance of our faith as other church members see and affirm the genuineness of our profession of faith.

• The protection it provides – As church members we are called to encourage, exhort, admonish, and instruct one another. As we give ourselves to the life of the church, we are inviting others to hold us accountable and thereby provide protection for our faith.

• The mission it involves us in – While every Christian is called to evangelize the lost, God’s primary means of reaching the world is through the work of local churches. As we join together in a local church, we get the joy and privilege of sharing in this mission together.

• The testimony it proclaims – In John 13:34-35 Jesus tell us that the world will know that we are His disciples if we have love for one another. As we join together in membership with the local church, and live in unity and love, we are providing a picture to the world of who God is and of what it looks like to belong to Him.