John Piper - Is it important for me to become a member of my local church?

[shipleyshipster]

I completely agree with the idea that we should commit to a group of people and do ministry with them, I can't however accept that membership is a piece of paper or being included in the church phone directory. That's what I fight. I've served at the same church for years and years in tons of ministries, but I avoid the membership papers. I'm a member because I choose to do ministry here, not because I signed a document.

[GospelMusicians]

We are the Body of Christ and Global Ecclesia (Church).. Local Building Church membership is not Biblical at all. The Bible says forsake not the assembling of yourself. It can be at home in a community, neighborhood, church, etc....Just not Biblical...Just an opinion. I humbly disagree his translation of member. Members are a part of the global Body of Ecclesia, not the local church down the

[marcelwillieniles]

This is so biblical...John Piper couldn't say it better...! Thank GOD for this exposition! 🌹

[jlivingwater]

No! We do not have to be members of a specific church body or denomination physically, because once you are saved and born again you are now a new member of the entire body of Jesus Christ upon the earth everywhere! But you should not forsake the gathering with other brothers and sisters because like every new born you will need raising and instruction from those mature and strong brethren! "Discipleship" is so extremely important for growth but not often done at all as was ordered by Christ!

[vintagegirl]

 Understood what John is saying here, still believe that our names are written down in the Lamb's book of life. What else is there to add? The motives for such things within the church can come from selfish ambition, position, fear of man and organizing a pecking order. Our commitment is to the Lord, our tie is to Him as His bride. Yes, we love the body and lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. But signing a document is of man and his need to elevate and secure himself. Making sure to fit into a group often focuses a person gaze on the group and away from Jesus. It's not a rebellious heart that drives me, it's wisdom in seeing the nature of man to make the church about self, however subtle.   

[JoshAlicea]

A clear vision for this is ancient Israel. God gives clear instructions on certain acts that can lead to the exclusion of a person or family from being members of the people of Israel. We are to be accountable to one another in that we all move toward “the land which the Lord our God has promised our ancestors.” Keeping each other accountable in remaining in step with the grace of God by which we are saved.

When Paul instructs the churches in his letters by saying “You”, it ought to be translated the southern way: “y’all”

We are saved to a community: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And since God knows Himself as persons in communion, we find ourselves and each other as being gathered into that communion through the Holy Spirit; as a church community. The word community refers to a body of believers who are made one in communion; in unity. By saying to the hand that you don’t need the foot, it is a clear indication that the body is not in communion nor unity. By saying that church membership doesn’t matter; that the universal church is all that is needed, 1) Then Paul had no business writing to different churches, 2) Since some denominations are not in communion with one another, then how can the universal church body be a legitimate full body in communion?

[OlivusOrchards]

There seems to be a lot of legalistic opinions here. Church membership is born out of biblical wisdom. It is more important now than in the 1st century when to be a Christian meant hardship and persecution. People didn't church hop or move from city to city nearly as often. There wasn't so much individualism and anonymity. Identifying true followers of Jesus was easier then. Church membership is biblical, whether in the 1st century informal form or the 21st century formal form. Therefore it is a wise thing, and helps both the existing congregation and the new believer who must learn to be accountable to an elder. One who is afraid of membership is afraid of commitment and/or involvement. They are almost always immature in the faith and overconfident in their understanding of God's word.

[Shivanshuakamonty]

1.So you think people will let go of their sins for fear of being kicked out of the church ?
2. This is the kind of person who needs church the most, the one you want to kick out.
3. Who will bring him back to Christ if all believers distance themselves from him ?
4. Make people join church so they can be humiliated later by being kicked out.
5. Imagine Christ asking people to fill a commitment form...
6. Membership usually has a fee
7. Care only for members
8. Prayers only for members

[theresasimmons]

I will say this, people often do not want to become a member because they do not want to commit. They want to be preacher followers and when the preacher leaves they leave. Members are committed to working in the church and staying even when it gets messy. I can remember in the 80's there were many pastors who wouldn't allow even a singer who was not a member of their congregation, to get up and sing or stand behind the pulpit. You could not hold any offices in the church if you were not a member. Still today, you can not vote on anything that goes on inside the church or make decisions if you are not a member.

[smarterworkout]

I've been trying to get my pastor to tell me what can I do as member that I cannot do as a non-member? So far...nothing. So why take the risk of becoming a member and possibly feeling superior to others if it's not going to enhance my Christian walk?

[Goodnewsladiesbiblestudy]

We are members of the body once we get saved. This ensures tithes. That’s what that is

[JonathanGrandt]

The way piper comes to these conclusions on this issue makes me very concerned out his other conclusions on other matters.

[ChristaLyneZ]

Did he once suggest that membership was a salvation issue? No "for sake of tradition....make void ..pwr of God". Seriously ?!
He is saying it is wise. Do you not think the disciples were an example for us. The early church was an example for us?

And as for the body, functioning and function well are two different things. Agree? You can be attached to the body and still be borderline useless. They will know we are Christians by our fruit. Build your house upon on a rock. Make a good foundation on a solid spot.

We as believers should desire to be close to and connected and involved in the lives of fellow believers. We should want to spend time with them in fellowship. So why fight against the suggestion?

Think of the trouble Paul went through to be close to the early church. The time and energy used to travel to and from. And when he couldn't be in the presence he wrote to them. The strong bond between believers binding by a supernatural force. And I thank The Lord.

[elizaleski]

Thanks I haven’t thought about it to much really

[samanthaprice]

John Piper is an encouragement to the body of Christ but his words are not infallible.

The Bible refers to churches by their geographical location not the name of their building or 501c3. We misuse the word church. It is not a small body that meets exclusively but the Church is a body of believers worldwide. Putting your name on a list does not make someone committed or accountable.

Pastors - How many members attend your church and do not serve and are not accountable to anyone?

[Lazarusrizing]

I thought he put it the better than I've heard it. Church membership implies commitment to the Body of Christ. It implies that you understand what it means to follow Christ. It may be a factor in discerning if you're truly born again. It speaks of love which is PARAMOUNT to the Gospel. 

But I think we need to be gentle with some Christians who are hesitating to join a church. Unfortunately, in any group of people there is the common penchant to bully and abuse based on differences and a sense of camaraderie. We need to address that strongly as being unacceptable. Because it's not the Gospel.

[Winston_Smith_]

Of course he's gonna say this. He's the pastor of a large church.

[fernandogallardo]

Church membership is not biblical...If you are already a member of the body of Christ, you don't need to become a member of any church organization...The apostles of Jesus did not make church members of the body of Christ

[jshir]

NO. Only the Pastor & the church leaders have any legal status as "members" laypeople have no official status 'members' in the eyes of the law. The union with other believers is invisible & spiritual requiring no formal written or oral contract

[joyfultrails]

“Joining a church” is not Scriptural. It is a culturally based tradition that has developed over time.