Thinking About Church Membership

COVID-19 has encouraged me to think about church membership. You know the tradition – this idea that we need to be part of a distinct group of believers where we are working in programs, sending contributions, and attending. This is a thinking-out-loud blog. I’m not giving answers, because I am not sure I have any yet. And I will even acknowledge that my personal situation may be really, really unique. Or it may not be. But here are some things that have made me wrestle with the whole membership idea.

I have listened to many preachers during the pandemic shut-down, but the five I listen to the most are Rick, Richard, Chris, Tim, and Tommy. They preach in Fort Worth, Plano, Abilene, and Fredericksburg. We are members of a congregation we haven't attended in over a year. But I still do ministry with that church.

But the church where we have attended most is not where we are “members.” Our contribution has gone to mission churches, individuals, medical bills, funeral expenses, and groceries for people all over. I have preached in every Church of Christ in Abilene, I think. If you count weddings and funerals, you can add several Baptist and Methodist churches. Our small group has been together over 20 years and we don't go to church together. The men I consider my spiritual shepherds go to at least four or five churches in Abilene.

So when someone says “church family,” I think of people, not congregations. Our spiritual interactions lately have been with friends from several local churches, and a few who aren't sure where they go. And that doesn’t even take online interactions into account.

People from at least nine churches in town have told me they consider me one of their elders. They call me for spiritual counsel or when in spiritual crisis. I consider them family.

Abilene is strange. There are lots of churches, lots of choices, and lots of troop transfers. But there’s not as much sheep stealing as you would think. In fact, I am not sure I know any churches in town that actively seek members from other churches. But people sure move around; sometimes because the member changes, sometimes because the church changes. And maybe that’s not so bad.

Before things shut down, I was doing a lot of preaching in places unlike Abilene, where churches were few and far between. A church of 50 was a big church, and I was preaching in a couple of places where lots of different churches were working together to reach people for Jesus.

I am aware of the differences (sometimes major differences) in how to approach the Bible. I do think that matters. But having said that, I guess I am just wrestling with the whole concept of exclusive church/congregation membership. And of course, membership is not even a formal process in Scripture. If you are a Christian, you are a member of the church. Somehow you worship together, serve each other, and make more disciples.

And I am realizing that if God was not clearer about it in Scripture, then maybe we have made too big a deal about it. I love my church family, wherever you are currently worshiping. Let me know if I can ever help.