Ask the Pastor with J.D. Greear

Is Church Membership in the Bible?

Listen Later

Pastor J.D. discusses the difference between having a consumer and a committed relationship with the church and where the Bible discusses the concept of church membership.

A glimpse inside this episode:

Spoiler alert: Yes!

The word is not there, but the concept is. (“Trinity” isn’t either, but of course the concept is.) Concept: covenant community where you belong.

We see that evidenced in multiple places:

  • 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians: Paul talks about removing a sinning brother from their fellowship (1 Cor) and then commends them for their actions (2 Cor).
  • Acts 6: They have an election
  • In 1 Timothy 5:3-16, we see a clear teaching on how to handle widows in the church. There’s even language of creating a roster so the leaders know how to care for them well.

    • Consumer: don’t want to belong.

    • Nothing wrong with consumer… if you’re talking about fast food.
    • Apply it to marriage or my kids, that’s a problem!

      • Church is definitely a committed, not consumer relationship. You can see that probably easiest in the primary metaphor for the church in the Bible: a body.

      • Imagine your body with non-committed body members?
      • How do you use your gifts and experience the gifts of others?
      • How do you fulfill the “each other” commands?

        • Practically: what if I am afraid to join?

        • Find a church with good biblical preaching; teaches community; practices accountability; focuses on getting you into ministry. I’m willing to put up with most anything else if those things are there.
        • Don’t wait for a perfect church: if you do, when you find and join it, it won’t be perfect anymore.
        • Bonhoeffer’s three stages of growth: disgust at the sins of others; disgust at your own sin; ready to re-enter church as an instrument in the hands of the Redeemer who has been redeemed yourself than as a self-righteous Pharisee committed to judging everyone.
          • ...more
          View all episodesView all episodes
          Download on the App Store
          Ask the Pastor with J.D. GreearBy J.D. Greear
          • 4.8
          • 4.8
          • 4.8
          • 4.8
          • 4.8

          4.8

          624 ratings

          More shows like Ask the Pastor with J.D. Greear

          View all
          Ask Pastor John by Desiring God

          Ask Pastor John

          3,942 Listeners

          David Platt Messages by David Platt

          David Platt Messages

          1,441 Listeners

          Light + Truth by Desiring God

          Light + Truth

          1,455 Listeners

          Focus on the Family with Jim Daly by Focus on the Family

          Focus on the Family with Jim Daly

          4,803 Listeners

          The Summit Church by The Summit Church

          The Summit Church

          530 Listeners

          Summit Life with J.D. Greear by J.D. Greear Ministries

          Summit Life with J.D. Greear

          1,292 Listeners

          Pray the Word with David Platt by David Platt

          Pray the Word with David Platt

          1,418 Listeners

          I Don't Have Enough FAITH to Be an ATHEIST by Dr. Frank Turek

          I Don't Have Enough FAITH to Be an ATHEIST

          5,370 Listeners

          Lakepointe Church with Josh Howerton by Lakepointe Church

          Lakepointe Church with Josh Howerton

          574 Listeners

          The Paul Tripp Podcast by Paul David Tripp

          The Paul Tripp Podcast

          755 Listeners

          Allen Jackson Ministries by Pastor Allen Jackson of World Outreach Church

          Allen Jackson Ministries

          1,574 Listeners

          The Pour Over by The Pour Over

          The Pour Over

          4,261 Listeners

          Live Free with Josh Howerton by Lakepointe Church

          Live Free with Josh Howerton

          1,407 Listeners

          The Overcomers with Matt Chandler by Matt Chandler

          The Overcomers with Matt Chandler

          325 Listeners

          Everyday Radical by Radical

          Everyday Radical

          78 Listeners