Why I want to do away with "church membership"
That's right. I'm tired of "church membership" and want to do away with it. It smells way too much like our consumeristic society. Membership and entitlement go together. For example, as a member of the YMCA, I expect to be warmly greeted when I walk in the doors, I expect the locker rooms to be clean, I expect the racquetball court floors to be dusted, and I expect all the right equipment to be available to keep my aging body buff.
Membership is all about me--how am I benefited by belonging to __________? There's little thought about how I can contribute to the organization. There's very little ownership on my part.
I see this all the time with church membership. Person XYZ joins Crossroads back in 1996. They quit attending in 2002 but still want to be on the "active membership list." They call in prayer requests, they borrow chairs and tables for grad parties, they book the church for weddings, and they expect a visit from a pastor when hospitalized. Hey, they're "members" after all.
I don't see that as being Biblical. Church members shouldn't be asking, HOW CAN THIS BENEFIT ME? The question should be, HOW CAN I USE WHAT GOD'S GIVEN ME TO HELP OTHERS? HOW CAN I CONTRIBUTE TO THE MISSION?
I've read about a few churches who are moving from "church member" to "ministry partner." I like it. I think it's time to raise the bar.
Membership is all about me--how am I benefited by belonging to __________? There's little thought about how I can contribute to the organization. There's very little ownership on my part.
I see this all the time with church membership. Person XYZ joins Crossroads back in 1996. They quit attending in 2002 but still want to be on the "active membership list." They call in prayer requests, they borrow chairs and tables for grad parties, they book the church for weddings, and they expect a visit from a pastor when hospitalized. Hey, they're "members" after all.
I don't see that as being Biblical. Church members shouldn't be asking, HOW CAN THIS BENEFIT ME? The question should be, HOW CAN I USE WHAT GOD'S GIVEN ME TO HELP OTHERS? HOW CAN I CONTRIBUTE TO THE MISSION?
I've read about a few churches who are moving from "church member" to "ministry partner." I like it. I think it's time to raise the bar.
posted by Pastor Phil Print at 7:33 AM
8 Comments:
As a non-member ministry volunteer, I agree to a certain extent. Creating ministry partners is the win, no doubt. But with membership comes accountability. I know it's not all that popular in our day and age, but the church is tasked with disciplining its members. How do you hold people accountable without established pre-agreed upon boundaries? It's a fine line that need to be balanced, but I think healthy churches with strong leadership can make a go of things without "membership". Get rid of the country club church. Get rid of the "I'm going to heaven because I belong" mentality. For us, at Crossroads, I think it could work. It should be noted that it isn't something every church is in a place to succeed with though.
Big Chris
Because I said so blog
I joined the Church 20 years ago...when I was baptized into a relationship with Christ. Since then I have been affiliated with several different congregations of Chrstians - most recently Crossroads.
I don't "Belong" to Crossroads because I "Belong" to Christ's church - and Crossroads is my Church home.
I went through the membership process this year. I put a lot of thought into each and every one of the covenant items to which we had to ascribe. I do remember that one of the items had to do with regular church attendance. Thus, I don't really see how somebody could move away and stay on the active membership list. Seems like these people could be placed on an inactive list.
I really liked the idea that we were a family. That's what the pastors and and elders said membership was all about. Thus, if some members are just looking at membership with the attitude, "What's in it for me?" then I think we have a dysfunctional church family and need some spiritual group therapy.
But I certainly don't think we should toss out the family concept in favor of a ministry concept.
Its true that church members and regular attenders should serve. However, I think its also important to remember that these people have needs, too.
WLBNIF - I think we ARE a family. But we at Crossroads are a SMALL part of the REAL family of Christ. My family members are around the cities - around the country - and even around the world.
I am saddenned (and angered at times) when I see the negative impact of "Membership" with some churches/denominations.
My question would be WHY did Church "Membership" begin in the first place? Again - didn't I "Join" the Church when I became a Christian?
In terms of people's needs, I agree with you 100%. People DO have needs and the Church (Pastors, staff, lay people) should work to meet those needs. My question would be - Should Church members be treated any differently then a non member?
PS - Pastor Phil happened to hit on a topic that I've felt pretty strongly about for a number of years. Hightened by my own family - missionaries - that were brought to tears because of their 'rejection' at the communion table of another church. I was proud to tell them that they would ALWAYS be welcome to the table at Crossroads - whether they're "Members" or not!
OK, you've got your example of treating non-members as outsiders.
I've got counter-point example of not recognizing that people in the church community have needs, too. Remember that free garage sale we had for the community. I was disappointed by the announcements to the church family that this was for the community - and that we shouldn't be "consumers" at this event.
There ARE low income people at Crossroads. So why should we keep our own people from benefitting from this event? Doesn't the Bible also say a lot about helping people in the community of faith?
That's an excellent example. Perhaps we need to organize an ongoing 'free stuff' board or an ongoing 'needs' board. (James Brown are you reading this??)
I know that my family is continually cleaning out the storage closet - and frequenly gives 'usable stuff' to other organizations. I would be VERY HAPPY to give my stuff to Crossroads folks that could use it!
But again - to the Membership concept. I wouldn't be as generous if Pastor Phil said the ONLY Church Members could utilize the Give away boards. I would want ANY person or family that needs an extra dresser to have it - not just those that are actual members.
I guess I don't see a big deal about membership at Crossroads. I haven't noticed that we're treating anybody differently because they're non-members. We don't have any sort of restrictions on communion. Anybody can call in prayer requests or have a wedding at the church.
The only thing that I know of that members can do (but not non-members) is vote at business meetings. So if we don't have a church membership - then how would we elect elders, decide to sell or purchase property, or approve the hiring of senior staff, etc.? Would these tasks be taken over by ministry partners?
It's not that I was looking for the "What's in it for me" when I joined.
It gives me a sense of responsibly toward my church family. I'd never belonged to a church before Crossroads and I hope I wont to give up my membership. I think that becoming a member of a church is a very big step and symbolizes, for many people, that it's a commitment to God, that your going to do as he asks and be with other Christians working together doing his work. I think that it would keep some people from coming to Crossroads as they are looking to belong to a church for many different reasons. Yes, there will always be those who are in it to "get" but we can't forget those who want to belong as members to give. I think it would be a mistake.
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