Church Membership

heyimbren

Hi ladies!

I don't post here very often, but I do lurk all the time

I have a NWR question: how important do you think church membership is? I've been a regular attender of my home church my entire life (literally- I first went to it when I was about 2 weeks old!) and I'm very happy with my church. I love being involved, particularly in children's ministry. I was baptized in my church almost 6 years ago, and now that I'm a (young) adult I've been wondering about becoming an official member.

I attend church with my grandma and my little sister. My grandma never became a member (personal reasons) and probably never will.

I talked to one of my pastors last night about it, and he explained that I would be interviewed by one of the deacons, read over the Constitution and then sign that I agree to the church's Constitution. The church body would then vote on my membership (they always vote yes haha).

I'll hopefully be getting a copy of the Constitution for me to read over soon, but that's where my apprehension lies. My church is a fairly traditional Baptist church, and while most of my beliefs are Baptist, there are some things that have been taught in my church that I don't agree with. They aren't really theological, an example of one is on drinking. A pastor at my church firmly believes that drinking any alcohol ever is wrong and against God's laws. I disagree- I do believe there are verses warning against drunkness, but not against having a glass of wine (for example).

If the Constitution does have anything like that in it, I don't feel right signing something that I disagree with. But at the same time, this is my home church. These people have literally watched me grow up. I don't know how comfortable I'd be leaving my church and trying to find another one (especially when I'd be attending without my family).

Does anyone have thoughts on this? Thanks!

Jeffie86

In my church (Lutheran, Missouri-Synod), becoming a member of a congregation  is a pretty natural thing to do when you find your "home congregation." 

For us, it also is a very quick way to say, "I believe and agree with the doctrine this church teaches and this congregation follows," to the rest of the congregation.  We practice close communion, so it allows you to easily speak with a pastor of a new church about participating. 

On the beaurocratic side, you cannot participate in major church decisions (for example, calling a new pastor, should the present one leave) without being a member.  Also, I know that our required attendance at mettings and "expected offerings" to the synod as a whole are determined by the number of members we have.  So people who become members but don't participate actually hurt the congregation.

I think you are totally justified in not becoming a member if you disagree with something in the constitution, especially depending on how important of a topic it is.  My pastor said, "When you're looking for a new church, read their constitution." You may even be able to speak with the pastor or a church leader about the parts you don't agree with or your reservations.

I don't know how your church makes major decisions or such, but becoming a member might allow you to be more involved on that level, if you're interested.  Otherwise, it seems to me, from what you've said, that not being a member is just fine, too.  Hope this helps!

PS:  Where was your sig photo taken?  It's beautiful!

iamjoesgurl

Is your picture taken in Banff?  I agree that it is gorgeous.

Now to your question.  I struggle with the same thing.  I became a member of my home church as a teen.  I share your belief about alcohol.  My church shares your church's belief.  At the time I became a member, I didn't care because I was a teen and I did not drink at all.  Through my adult life, I have struggled with whether or not I should keep the covenant that I made with my church when I agreed to abstain from alcohol.  I was on the church board for a few years and did not drink alcohol during that time because of this commitment.

DH and I are currently looking for a new church so although I'm technically a member of the church, I am inactive and rarely attend that church.  Now I might have one or two drinks a month.  I had thought about pulling my membership, but I feel like it would be silly to pull my membership over that one thing.  However, if I was not a member as a teen, I probably would not have become one because I wouldn't have been able to agree with the covenants of the church. Now that we are looking for another church, I will probably ask to be made inactive.

I really feel that as a member, I can demonstrate more commitment to the church.  Many churches will not allow you to be in a leadership position (Sunday school teacher, etc.) without being a member.  So when we find a new church, that will be an important step for me.

CourtneyBC

I don't think that choosing not to be an "official" member of the church is detrimental to your spiritual walk. I think it's more of a personal choice related to how you want to be involved in the church. As someone else mentioned, you won't be able to vote on new pastors, church bi-laws, etc.
I'm like you in that I mostly agree with Baptists but disagree with stuff that's not necessarily based on theology. (The alcohol issue was a great example!)
I wouldn't feel comfortable signing a document I disagree with either.
If I were in your position, I think I would plan to join (for the purpose of partaking in church decisions) but choose not to join if those stipulations are written into the constitution

It's interesting to see how different churches, even in the same denomination, work. I've gone to three different baptist churches during my life (two in Texas and one in Tennessee). To join all three, you just had to be baptised and go through what basically amounted to a welcome class. My first church involved a new believer class. But for the next two, I just had to have my letter of baptism transferred and take the "welcome" class. I never had to sign anything. I wonder if the differences are regional. Where do you live?

heyimbren

I'm from Ontario, so perhaps it is regional.

I am planning on moving ahead with this and seeing what the Constitution says, as you all suggested!

I am fairly involved already, and I'm not too concerned with voting privileges, however I would love to get more involved with Sunday School teaching with the little kids. But in order to do that, I need to be a member.

and yes, my picture was taken in Banff! It's even more beautiful IRL. If you ever have the chance- go! That picture is in front of Moraine Lake.

Ironically, on the issue of alcohol, the members just had a meeting and vote over a change in the constitution. But I was away on vacation and I have yet to hear what happened! So I guess I'll be finding out soon haha.

Thank you for the responses!

kalizoomba

I never really understood the reason behind official church membership. I mean, what does God get from me signing my name and saying I'm an official member. I've been attending church since I was born. I design and update the church website (almost) every week and do all sorts of other things for the church. I did look into it last year, but I didn't entirely agree with every single aspect of the church constitution. 

So far, the only thing that I don't get as a non member is free rental from the church for my wedding (but I'm not going to become a member just to get a free wedding venue).

I think as long as your are participating in the church, helping out where God leads you and tithing, there's not a reason to join the church. It doesn't say anywhere in the Bible that you must do so. 

heyimbren

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_christian-weddings_church-membership?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:464687ae-7bc1-4360-9aea-999e11f1e1adDiscussion:5bbd3229-78c2-475e-bf3d-e2f046a4e929Post:1a1e1f7d-fce3-49d3-a0e8-597863d099c9">Re: Church Membership</a>:
[QUOTE] I think as long as your are participating in the church, helping out where God leads you and tithing, there's not a reason to join the church. It doesn't say anywhere in the Bible that you must do so. 
Posted by kalizoomba[/QUOTE]

You're very right, there isn't anything in the Bible about it. I guess my main point is it's something that I'd consider doing to be able to get further involved in ministry at the church. I understand why churches do it, but it also isn't necessary to one's faith.

rbtrumpet

My church has other benefits to being a member, such as we ask that all people are committed to the church before they are allowed to serve anywhere (praise team, sunday school, welcoming, outreach, etc...)

I see the point of becoming a member as a public proclamation that you are committed to the church and are subjecting yourself to the church's rules (therefore, say there is a large sin in your life, you have said it is "OK" for the pastor or spiritual leader to step in and point it out to you and help you).

As far as the constitution goes, you have to read it and see what you think.  There is one aspect of my church's constitution that I disagree with, however it is a very very small detail that I don't think will ever happen.  I have decided that in the 1% chance it ever comes up, I will go against what I believe and support the church.  It's not that big of a deal.  If the church frowns on alcohol, but doesn't forbid members to drink, it's different than if members are not allowed to drink.  It also depends on how much you like to drink (I drink socially, my pastor and his family is not allowed to drink, but I've been out to clubs with some of our board members - actually, since I'm on the "leadership" team, I technically am a board member....which is weird to me :-p)

If, however, you are not willing to agree w/ the church's constitution, then you can continue to go as a "guest" or you can look for another church - it's really not a big deal.

DGSWedding2010

Being a Latter-Day Saint (Mormon as many know us) we have to be baptized into the church in order to become an active member, or participant, with actually callings, or positions such as Sunday School teacher, Womans or mens presdiency, partaking of the sacrament( communion) each week and attend the Temple.
The one GREAT thing is most weddings don't cost a penny for the couple!! The church is solely organized BY the membership. We have NO paid clergy, so whether we get married inside the church chapel and then use the Cultural Hall for receptions, or in any of the Worlds Mormon Temples, it doesn't cost anything, not even donations. People participate by helping out, lending decorations,tables and chairs are provided by the church, and we have many talented members that own bakery's , are photographers , DJ's, etc. So really , all the budget goes to the gown and accesories, florals, tuxes and any fancier linens than the church provides!

I don't understand what a " constitution " is for a church, is that just a ' what we believe" type letter??

What are some traditions that other churches follow that you all know about here? It would be very interesting to see the variety we have here as I'm very new and just joined!
DG

heyimbren

I'm not really concerned about any wedding related stuff regarding my church as I'm not even engaged. So that doesn't affect me right now

Yes, our constitution is really just a statement of beliefs to live by. To become a member we have to sign that we agree with it. I (still!) haven't received a copy of it so I haven't looked over ours yet.

We don't have to be baptized in our church to join, exactly... I'm Baptist so we practice adult baptism, so if someone had been baptized as an infant we'd encourage them to be baptized as an adult as well. But it doesn't have to be through our church. However, I was baptized at my church 6 years ago- another reason I'm hoping the constitution will only contain clauses I agree with!

Rbtrumpet- your post pretty much sums up exactly how it is with my church and how I feel about the situation.