Why join a church?

I was recently reading on the 9Marks web site and came the article, "Why join a church".  Let me know what you think!


Join For Other People

Join a church for the sake of non-Christians.

• Church membership helps make the gospel clear to non-Christians by providing a unified witness of what it means to be a Christian. 
• Membership provides this unified witness by implementing a statement of faith, encouraging unity in doctrine, and a church covenant, encouraging unity in lifestyle. 

In our church the statement of faith includes:

 a belief in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior 

and an acceptance of the Bible as the only infallible rule of faith and practice.

Our church covenant includes the following promises:

a promise to read and study the Bible

participate in the work and mission of the church

support the government of the church (decisions made by the Session)

love your brothers and sisters in Christ

strive to overcome temptation and weakness

be a good steward of all that God gives you

Join a church for the sake of weaker Christians.

• God is not merely concerned about our own private piety, but also about our care for the other sheep.  This is a whole aspect of godliness that privatized Christians ignore.  If we don't love God's people, then John says we have reason to question our love for God Himself (1John 4:8).
• God wants us to encourage weaker Christians and run the race with them.  Don't leave it to other people to care for those outside your circle of friends.  This is your responsibility.
• Members should see themselves as providers - coming to serve others, not to be served.

Join a church for the sake of the church leaders.

• If regular attenders don't eventually make themselves known to the pastor as members of the church, then the pastor and elders cannot take responsibility for them as part of their particular flock. Pastors and elders need to know for which sheep God will hold them accountable so that they can tend to them most responsibly and effectively (Heb 13:17).
• If regular attenders don't join churches, then pastors cannot be freed to do what they do.  Pastors can only devote themselves to the ministry because they are set free to do so by members who fund their work.  Regular attenders benefit from the commitment of other people who have become members and who give and serve and pray regularly.

Some interesting thoughts.  I'll post more of this article later.  For now - why do you think people should join a church - or why should they not do so?

Grace and Peace

Pastor John