I recently had a physical exam and am happy to report that I am in good health. It’s reassuring to know the condition of your physical body is good and there are no problems to worry about. The church of Jesus Christ is also likened to a body. What does a biblically healthy church look like? A biblically healthy church is one that accurately preaches the Word of God resulting in sound theology and an accurate understanding of the gospel. The gospel is then declared through proper methods of evangelism and evangelistic preaching resulting in biblical conversion. Converts are joined to the church with the expectation of being fully committed to the ministry of the church and the church grows through mutual edification by the power and gifting of the Holy Spirit into the image of Christ to the glory of God.

Once a believer is joined to the church, what is his or her responsibility as a church member? Do we get to pick and choose our responsibility as if we are consumers seeking personal fulfillment? Or, is there a pattern of responsibility that each member must accept as a servant of God? Clearly, the Bible teaches we are to be servants not consumers. Sadly, however, too many Christians today do not see themselves as servants of God but as consumers with a right to customer satisfaction and personal comfort.

It seems that one of the underlying reasons for a low view of church membership today is a fear of infringement upon one’s personal freedom. But does this sound like the mentality of a servant of Christ? Nope. Here’s what one author said about it: "…many Christians bounce from church to church, shopping for the fellowship which best suits their tastes. If the current congregation fails to satisfy, there’s always another one across town with open doors, eager to accommodate a new customer. Changing churches is not much different than changing brands of cereal. The freedom to choose products according to one’s tastes and preferences is healthy in a marketplace, but churches are not commodities in a marketplace. Congregation hopping militates against our Lord’s orderly design for His church."

I would like to use the remainder of this article to present what I believe God would have us do as our minimum responsibilities as a church member.

1. Members are expected to attend corporate worship each week. If we don’t attend, we are not built up in our faith and we remain unknown to the other members and leaders.

2. Members are expected to attend an open group Bible study. Bible studies are not only places to study the Bible, but also to ask questions, share insights, and be in fellowship with others.

3. Members are expected to be involved in at least one ministry or mission activity a year. We expect our members to look beyond themselves and serve others for the sake of Christ and the gospel.

4. Members are expected to give regularly. If we don’t give, we cannot have paid staff, support missions, or have a place to meet with lighting and climate control. How we use the money God allows us to manage on His behalf is a very good indicator of where our heart is.

5. Members are expected to pray and to read and study the Bible daily. Personal time with God cannot be substituted or side-stepped without harm to our spiritual life.

6. Members are expected to protect the unity of the church. Jesus said we will be known as His disciples by the love we have for one another. That means we will resolve not to say or do anything that undermines our unity. We will seek the good of the whole even if it means not getting our own way. We will support the direction and decisions of the leaders God has put in place in His church.

7. Members are expected to participate in business meetings. Occasionally the church meets to make decisions that affect the entire church family. Our participation is needed to ensure the unity and common direction of the church.

So how can we apply some of this? For the church member, may I ask you? What is your membership in this church communicating to God? To others? There is no point in meaningless membership. Does your membership in this church involve anything beyond your presence on Sunday morning? How are you contributing to God’s work through this church? Does anybody in the church really know you? Do you prefer to remain unknown? Do you have an interest in knowing and serving others? Do you financially support the ministry of the church in a way that goes beyond "tipping God"?

How about you non-member? What is your non-membership in the church you attend communicating to God? To others? If you are set on not committing to a local church, I have very real concerns about your spiritual condition. Have you truly died to self to be alive to God? Jesus is passionate about His church (Eph 5:25). Are you? I honestly cannot think of a better way to express your commitment to Jesus than by committing to a local church where you love and serve God’s people year after year faithfully. Jesus identified with you and your sin on the cross. Will you identify with Him and His body through His church?

Ultimately, God saved us and placed us in the body of Christ for His own glory and our everlasting joy. We are opposing God’s purpose and our own happiness when we foolishly live as if we know better than God and refuse to do His will. My prayer and hope for you, dear reader, is to lay aside your pride and self-reliant attitude and embrace your calling and role as a member of God’s church to the fullest. We are never more like Jesus than when we give of ourselves for the benefit of others. Let it begin in the house of God. Amen.

Your undershepherd for Jesus,

Pastor Massimo