1 Corinthians 12:27 teaches us that we are called to be a part of the body of Christ and of a local church when it says, "Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it."
As Christians, being a member of a church is not simply a mandate, but also a state that we are born into. In the books of Acts, every believer who turned to Jesus as their Lord and Saviour were almost instantly added to the church.
This happened not so that they would know where to give their tithes nor so that they would know where they would go every Sunday to sing songs and hear the pastor preach, but so that they could actively participate and be a part of a community of believers whom they could share life with.
Here are four biblical implications about church community membership that help us grow in our relationship with God and with others.
1. We are to give and receive
1 Corinthians 12:21 gives us the picture of the church as a body with many parts: "The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I don't need you!' And the head cannot say to the feet, 'I don't need you!' Every member of the church has a part to play and it's more than just receiving God's blessing and being motivated by the preaching. God has called every member to be a part of the work of advancing God's kingdom.
2. Not everything the pastor says is right
No one should expect pastors to know everything, thus when the pastor makes a wrong decision or gives the wrong explanation to a certain part of theology, we as members of the church are called to respectfully clarify with our leaders in a way that builds up the faith.
Take note that this is not a license to be your pastor's number one preaching critic, but a mandate to help your leaders and consequently the flock as well to work doctrine out together.
3. Being a member of a church doesn't make you Christian
Going to church and being a part of the church is not what ultimately makes you a Christian. What makes us believers is our relationship with God that is magnified and glorified in the context of spiritual family. As obvious as this sounds, so many church members believe that the more church events they go to or the more roles they have in church, God will love us more.
There is nothing we can or cannot do that will make God love us more or less. He loves us the same and loves us immeasurably.
4. We are called to share lives
Acts 2:42 tells us that the early church "...devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." What this means is they did life together. Church is not just a once-a-week event, but a body of lifelong relationships that helps us Honor God and love others.
