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Mark and Emily dig into one of the most practically important, and often misunderstood, topics in the Christian life: church membership. From what the Bible actually says about it, to the common ditches people fall into, to how a large church like Cornerstone keeps track of its people, Mark offers pastoral clarity and honesty on why formal membership matters for every believer.
Episode Highlights
02:58 — What is church membership, biblically? Where do we even find it in Scripture?
07:36 — Common ditches: individualism, the "marriage to a church" extreme, and church hopping
09:52 — The two-way promises involved in church membership — what members commit to, and what elders commit back
11:00 — State church vs. free church: why the American context changes how we think about leaving a church
19:14 — How to know when it might be time to leave a church — and how to do it well
27:45 — How does a church the size of Cornerstone actually keep track of its members?
Resources
Ask Mark a Question!
Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!
By Cornerstone Church of Ames4.8
109109 ratings
Mark and Emily dig into one of the most practically important, and often misunderstood, topics in the Christian life: church membership. From what the Bible actually says about it, to the common ditches people fall into, to how a large church like Cornerstone keeps track of its people, Mark offers pastoral clarity and honesty on why formal membership matters for every believer.
Episode Highlights
02:58 — What is church membership, biblically? Where do we even find it in Scripture?
07:36 — Common ditches: individualism, the "marriage to a church" extreme, and church hopping
09:52 — The two-way promises involved in church membership — what members commit to, and what elders commit back
11:00 — State church vs. free church: why the American context changes how we think about leaving a church
19:14 — How to know when it might be time to leave a church — and how to do it well
27:45 — How does a church the size of Cornerstone actually keep track of its members?
Resources
Ask Mark a Question!
Suggest a topic or question for Mark to discuss on a future episode of the Equip Podcast!

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