Benefits of Church Membership

1.  It identifies a person as a true believer. 

The Bible says in Ephesians 2:19, “you are citizens with the saints.”  In Romans 12:5 we read, “”So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.”  Just as the human has many parts that work together as one, so it is with membership of the church.  

2.  It provides a spiritual family to support and encourage others in their walk with Christ. 

Galatians 6:1-2 says, “If anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.”  Hebrews 10:24-25 says, ”And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together.”  We have all experienced those times when we just need someone to be there for us, to listen to us, to share our pain, to understand.  A body of Christ that prays and worships together understands the trials and temptations of the world because they have gone through those trials themselves. 

3. It gives the people of God a place to discover and use their gifts of ministry. 

1 Corinthians 12:11 says “All these (gifts) are activated by the same Spirit who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.”  God gives us all gifts.  Whether we use them or not is up to us.  A good place to learn what your gifts are and to develop those gifts is in a loving and supportive body of Christ.  

4.  It places God’s people under the care of spiritual leaders. 

Acts 20:28 says “Keep watch over yourselves and over all the flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God.”  The pastor will not judge you nor be surprised at your mistake, but will listen to you and invite you to share in the wisdom and love of God, the knowledge of forgiveness of sins, and the saving grace of God in Jesus Christ. 

5. It gives all of us the accountability we need to grow in the grace of God. 

Ephesians 5:21 says, “Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.”  When things aren’t going well and we feel like giving up, we need someone to keep us from getting off the path; someone who will tell us the truth:  “No, If I were in your shoes, I wouldn’t do that.”  Who better to do that than another member of the body of Christ?   

Adapted from The Purpose Driven Church by Rick Warren