Do you realize how blessed we are at North Heights Church of Christ? We are steadily growing and thriving as we work and serve the Lord in this community. Recently, we have had several people that have obeyed the gospel and want to serve the Lord with us, and for that, we are thankful. We also have new people that have moved to our community and want to work and serve the Lord. There are also new people who have decided that they want to do better in their work and service to the Lord than before, and so they want to do better with us. However you look at it, this is growth in some form or fashion. This weekend, the shepherds at NHCOC have invited all the members that have placed membership with us in the last year or so to join us for a meal and fellowship (about 20+ families). About 70 of us (shepherds and their wives, and the ministers and their families included) will gather for a meal and an opportunity to formally say we are thankful that you are with us. But what does it mean to “place membership”? How does one even do that, and is that in the Bible? Let’s talk about it:
When we talk about “placing membership,” we need to realize we are not talking about placing membership in THE CHURCH. God adds people to the church (Acts 2:41; 47). Every Christian worldwide is a member of ONE BODY, the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Romans 12:4-5). THE ONE CHURCH is made up of different local churches of Christ all over the globe (Acts 8:1; 9:31; 13:1; 14:23; Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 4:17; 14:33; 16:19; Galatians 1:2; Colossians 4:15-16; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; Revelation 1:11). Seeking to place membership is to seek to be included as a member of a local BODY of believers who make up a part of THE CHURCH.
When we talk about “placing membership,” we need to realize that there is NO SPECIFIC METHOD by which one places membership with a local BODY of believers. Since God is silent on the matter, we have nothing to say about how it must be done. Therefore, it can be done in several ways. One might just let the preacher know that they want to work and serve with the congregation. One might talk to an elder or the whole group of shepherds to let them know they want to work and serve with the church. They might just let the church office know and ask to be included in communication from the church. One might even respond after the sermon to ask to verbally and publicly say they want to be associated with the church. Do you see a pattern? Placing membership is accomplished when someone communicates a desire to do so and then is accepted by the congregation. It’s all about communication.
When we talk about “placing membership,” we need to realize how it is IMPORTANT and NECESSARY for the Christian. It carries great benefits by placing oneself under the oversight and care of the local church leadership (Acts 20:28-30; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:1-3). God never intended for His people to “do Christianity” alone or without guidance or care. Placing membership with the church is when you accept and fulfill your responsibility to the LOCAL church in its mission of evangelism, benevolence, and edification. Placing membership with the church means you are willing to be a giver and recipient of the benefits of being a part of our church family (Acts 2:42-47; 1 Corinthians 5; 11:17-34; 16:1-3; Philippians 4:14-16; Hebrews 10:24-25). Placing membership is a two-way street. It’s good for you, and it’s good for THE CHURCH (locally and globally).
If you have obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ, then you have been added to THE CHURCH. You are a member of the church of Christ. Placing membership means you want to be with us, serving the Lord by working in the Kingdom. It means you want to be included in the oversight and care of this local congregation of THE CHURCH.
What a blessing to be a church member at the NORTH HEIGHTS CHURCH OF CHRIST CONGREGATION!
God loves you, and so do I,
Alexander Mills