...saved by Grace to demonstrate Grace

(I'm aware that it's been a while since I last posted, and I did promise that my notes from the LTS conference would be posted next, but last night I went to a meeting where we discussed the importance of Church membership and I wanted to share my thoughts here.)

We live in a society that is inherently individualistic and isolationist. Personal happiness and fulfillment have become the criteria by which everything is judged and prioritised
This mentality has managed to creep into our understanding of what a Christian is, so we find 'christians' who are happy to ask how a Church will serve them, but can't be seen for dust if they're asked to serve the Church. The ultimate outworking of this attitude is found in 'christians' who will enthusiastically inform you that their beliefs are a personal conviction and that they don't do church.

I use the term 'christians' because I don't see any non-serving, solo-pursuit Christians in the Bible, if you're a Christian you're a member of a local church.

God is my Father, Jesus is my Saviour, The Spirit is my Guide...and God's people are my people!

What's so amazing about Church?

We were firstly encouraged to think about why Church is so amazing. In Acts 7:38 Stephen talks about Moses and how he was in the church (gk. 'ekklēsia') in the wilderness - Church isn't a New Testament idea, it has always been God's assembly or gathering of His people.

In Ephesians 1:4 we see that its God that gathers the Church so when we look around on a Sunday evening and look at the congregation - God has gathered them, even the woman sat next to you who smells funny and sings off key!!

God hasn't gathered us around some abstract metaphysical point, in Ephesians 1:22 we're told that we gather around Christ, our Lord, saviour and head of the Church.

The local Church is to be filled by God, Ephesians 2:18-22 tells us how the triune God comes to dwell in the Church He is building.
"In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."

If we turn then to Ephesians 3:10 we see that God has purposed that in the Church, as flawed and as fallible as it is, His manifold wisdom is made known, not only to us, but to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places - angels and demons alike, look at the Church in wonder as they see God's wisdom unfolded before them.

This glorious heavenly assembly is being prepared as the bride of Christ - who are we to criticise it! Within many local Churches a culture of criticism has obscured any understanding of the glorious nature and calling of the Church. God is the one whose purposes and plans are outworked in the Church, who are we to stand in judgement over it!

Church is where the Gospel is seen!

The Bible can be thought of as a truth projector - it projects truth, The Church is like a screen - it displays projected truth.

God has set down the pattern for the Church in scripture, and when it functions as He designed, it displays His manifold wisdom. All too often though, we aren't happy following the biblical pattern, and we put our ideas between scripture and the Church. Result - our childish shadow puppets obscure the glory of the Gospel that God intended to be seen in our local Church.

So why Church Membership?

The point of all this is that Church membership is God's plan for every Christian - if you're a Christian then you'll identify yourself with God's people.

The three main practical points regarding Church membership:

1. Church Discipline
2. Church Care
3. Church Mission

1. Church Discipline (Numbers 5:1-4, Matthew 18:15-17)

This is the point that is usually made concerning Church membership, and to some extent has almost become over-stated.
You identify yourself as 'one of the camp' so that if ever you enter into sin and are unrepentant you can be put 'outside the camp'.

This is so that God may call you to repentance by seeing the Gospel of Grace displayed in the Church.

2. Church Care (Psalm 68:5, Acts 4:32-35, 1 Timothy 5:16)

By becoming a Church member you not only submit to the discipline of its leaders, but you also place yourself under their care. The God ordained pattern for providing and caring for His people is His Church.

Every believer should seek to care for all humanity, but as brothers and sisters in Christ our highest priority to care for one another.

3. Church Mission (Numbers 1:1-3, Acts 6:1-3)

This is possibly one of the most neglected elements of Church membership. Knowing those who are in the camp means we know how many people we have who will stand with us and fight for the Gospel.

Church membership encourages service, it gives a structure that delineates between those who are on mission with us and can serve and those who can't.

'I'm united with them in Christ!'

The ultimate reason for Church membership is that in all these ways it declares the Gospel by submitting to God appointed authorities; being cared for by, and caring for, God's chosen people and joining with God's people on our God given mission.

I'm not a Christian because I'm a Church member, I'm a Church member because I'm a Christian!!