When people become Christians (see What is a Christian?) invariably they want to meet together with other believers – a church! The expectation of Scripture is that all believers are part of a local church community – there are no "Lone Ranger" Christians.
What is the "Church"?
People often think of a church as a building. Zion Baptist Church is that building at the corner of 119 Street and 132 Avenue – right? So when you "join" Zion Baptist Church, you somehow become part of that organization.
Actually, in the Bible, a church is people! Zion Baptist Church is really the people who make up the family, which just happens to meet most often in this building. More specifically, Zion is the believers who make up this family.
The church is a family – the family of God. When we receive Christ we become sons/daughters of God (John 1:12, Galatians 4:6-7). Although we may not be biologically related to one another, we are related as brothers and sisters, held together by "blood" relationships – the blood of Jesus shed for each one of us. So we care for one another as a family cares for its members.
The church is also the "body of Christ" (Romans 12:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12:1-31).
So when you "join" Zion Baptist Church you join together with other believers; you join a family; you become and essential and indispensable part of the body of Christ!
What does Church "membership" mean?
Can we not just attend a local church? Why should we formally join the church and become members?
Theoretically it is possible to just attend a church and not "join" the church and become members. When I was young, I did a lot of things with my best friend, Derek, and his family. We spent hours together each week. But I was not part of Derek’s family. Attending a church without becoming a member is a bit like my relationship with Derek’s family. It just isn’t the same!
When you decide to join a local church you are really becoming part of the family! You are publicly saying that you are choosing to become a member of the family. You come from being an outside observer and a friend (like I was with Derek’s family) to being a real family member. You become part of the church. And the church becomes part of you!
In the New Testament, people certainly had this strong sense of "family" in their local churches!
What are the Advantages of Becoming a Member?
It certainly seemed to be the Biblical pattern that Christians became members of local churches. So members at Zion have the privilege of following in the footsteps of the earliest Christians. We follow obediently to the pattern prescribed in Scripture.
Other advantages of becoming
a member include:
1. The privilege to
obey the pattern set out in Scripture
2. The privilege of
formally identifying yourself with the church
3. The privilege of
being elected to offices within the church
4. The privilege to
vote at meetings of the church
What are the Responsibilities of a Member?
All Christians (not just
church members) are expected by God to:
1. Be
there! It is important to attend
church regularly; to be involved in small group activities; to participate
in the life of the church (business meetings, etc.)
2. Be
involved! Each of us has talents and spiritual gifts (see Spiritual
Gifts link on website) which we need to use! This is important for
our spiritual health and growth. And it is crucial to the health and vitality
of the church (1 Corinthians 12:1-27).
3. Be
committed! There are other things
the church needs you to do, including:
 | decision-making: praying for and being involved in meetings |
| practical service: from cleaning-up to worship leading, from lawn-cutting to ushering |
| financial support: the church is entirely supported by your generous tithes and offerings (see What Should I Give?) |
How do I join the Church?
People normally join Zion
Baptist Church by one of three ways:
1. By
believers’ baptism (see What
is Baptism?). Normally at the same time as a person is baptized
– or very shortly thereafter – a person is also received into church membership.
2. By
letter of transfer from another church. A person who has been
baptized as a believer in another Christian church, who moves to Zion,
may be received by a letter from the previous congregation.
3. By
Christian experience. In some cases a person who has been baptized
as a believer in another church is not able to have a letter of transfer
sent.
Talk to the pastor about
becoming a member today!
Copyright 1999 by Bruce Martin
For more information, contact:
11908
- 132 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
T5E
1A9 (780) 454-1347