March 18, 2019

Is Church Membership in the Bible?

Listen Later

11 minutes

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

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Ask the Pastor with J.D. Greear

By J.D. Greear

4.8

624624 ratings

March 18, 2019

Is Church Membership in the Bible?

Listen Later

11 minutes

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

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