February 2001

The Mark of Responsible Membership

"Membership has its privileges!"

When I see or hear that phrase I cannot help but picture some well-off business executive encouraging a younger colleague to join a country club or professional organization of some kind. Pay the registration fee, sign on the dotted line and begin to enjoy the benefits of membership right away.

Sometimes we may be tempted to understand church membership in a similar way. When we are approached about joining a church we may want to ask, "What's in it for me? What do I get out of it if I become a member?" After all, shouldn't membership have its privileges?

But church membership has never really been about what we the members get out of it, has it? Perhaps we should carry in our hearts and on our tongues a more biblical motto. I suggest, "Membership has its responsibilities" for a change! Doesn't sound very inviting, does it? I mean, it wouldn't sound very appealing to say to potential members, "Uh, no, you don't really get a lot out of joining the church. But, uh, you will have plenty of responsibility and opportunity to serve." No, not very appealing at all.

A Biblical Approach

The Apostle Paul has something to say to us on this. In Ephesians 4 Paul is urging his readers toward unity and spiritual maturity in the church, the Body of Christ. The head of this body, of course, is Christ. Paul writes in verse 16:

From [Christ] the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work (emphasis mine).

How does growth take place in the local church? What causes it? Is it the adding of more members? Is it the building of new facilities? No. The body will only grow as each of us jump in, take on responsibility and work.

Work comes in many forms and styles, of course. For those who are able and willing to make the work of the Kingdom and the Church a priority there will be plenty of places to volunteer, to minister to others and to get involved. Guaranteed. But there are other forms of work for those who, because of illness or phase of life, cannot volunteer in the more traditional ways. It is ironic that many who feel they have little to offer anymore are the very ones who, in the past, gave so much time and energy to Kingdom work and the purpose of mission. For many of them it is time for rest, but not retirement. And one of the best means of work in the Kingdom lies in the ministry of prayer. There is always room for more people who will pray for the ministries of Bethany Covenant Church (and I know that many of you already do quite faithfully).

A Model

At a church I visited while on vacation the pastor unveiled a plan to ask all current members and require all new members to get more involved in the work - for the sake of the church and those who call themselves disciples. The leadership had broken down responsible church membership into three key areas. Each member will be asked to make a commitment to one hour per week in each of the following areas: corporate worship, group study and service. Their motto? "Membership has its responsibilities."

Is Bethany growing as God intends us to grow? Is there more growth that awaits us, awaits greater involvement of our membership in the work we are called to perform? Is God asking more of us as individuals than we currently give to the work, if we give at all? What blessings might God be able to pour out upon us (as individuals and a congregation) if we would only more faithfully give of ourselves so that each part might do its work? I don't know about you, but I would love to find out.

- Pastor Stacey Littlefield