Members of the Body

Are you a member of Goshen Baptist Church?

If this church is your church and you're trusting Christ for salvation, why not embrace the privileges and responsi­bil­ities of membership?  We'll be running our Discovery Class (i.e., the pathway to membership) on Sundays, Oct. 1-22 from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m, in Room 007 (downstairs).  Come join us!

(By the way, this Sunday’s session is going to be fascinating!  Terry Stick will lead the group down the long and winding road of our church’s history (which extends 190 years), and look even further back to the spread of faith in Jesus to the “Colonies” and into our Delaware Valley area.  It’s a great story of God’s provision, direction, and blessing.  Then, in the following three weeks, the series will continue with a tour of our mission/vision and statement of faith, discussions of worship/music and baptism, and a review of our spiritual gifts and ways to get involved.)

But back to the idea of membership.  Sometimes questions arise, like:  Does the notion of a “members only” elitism pop into your head when you hear about church membership?  If so, please erase that idea and think instead about “members” along the lines of “one body, many members / parts” (1 Corinthians 12).  A healthy church body needs committed spiritual members to serve and care and lead.

Sometimes people ask why we encourage church “mem­bership” when the word isn’t even mentioned in the Bible.  Well, the fact is, even though the Bible doesn’t use the term “membership,” the concept is firmly rooted in the Scriptures.  Here’s what I mean:

• Many New Testament texts describe church “govern­ment,” that is, the leader­ship of congregations by pastors, elders, deacons, etc. (e.g., 1 Timothy 3:1-13).  But how can you have leadership without a community of Christians who agree, under Christ, to accept such leader­ship?
• Further, the New Testament also speaks of church “discipline,” that is, the correction of Christians who stray into patterns of persistent sin (see especially Matthew 18:15-17).  But how can you have correction without mutual commitment and accountability?  The straying Christian might simply ask, “What right do you have to tell me what to do?” and carry on.

So, the Bible assumes the existence of local church bodies to which believers are committed and account­able.  That’s what membership is all about; the idea is solidly rooted in the New Testament.

So where do you stand?  If you’ve given your heart to Christ and if Goshen is your church, then membership is the next step.  Among other things, members are able to participate in our decision making process as we seek God’s leading for GBC.

Got questions?  Come to the Discovery Class.  Or contact me--I'd love to talk with you.  In addition, to learn more about membership, see our church's governing documents.