Does the Bible Actually Support Church Membership?

As we continue our exploration of church membership, it’s crucial to delve into the biblical foundations that supposedly underpin this concept. While the term “church membership” may not explicitly be found in the Bible, Scripture provides principles and examples that churches have used to form the basis for organized and committed community life within the body of Christ. Read Full Post

Did the First-Century Church Have Members?

In our ongoing exploration of church membership, we now turn our attention to the roots of this concept in the first-century Christian communities.

The early church, birthed in the cultural milieu of the Roman Empire, operated in a vastly different context than the institutionalized structures we know today. Let’s unearth the foundations of belonging in the early Christian assemblies. Read Full Post

The Evolution of Church Membership

Joshua's Baptism

Baptism did not save me, but it made me a church member!

Perhaps I should clarify. In my hometown church, membership is automatic when you get baptized. So I have been a member of a local church for over 26 years now because I was baptized in the fall of 1997.

Salvation made me a member of Christ’s body, the universal church. But baptism joined me with the local church in Mason City, IA. Read Full Post

You Might Be Stealing Promises…

Have you ever claimed the truth of this verse in your life?

“I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive” (Jeremiah 29:14). Read Full Post

3 Reasons Sunday Sermons Are a Waste of Time

What better way to waste your time on your day of rest than to do it with an ineffective sermon, right?

The Sunday sermon, a cornerstone of modern-day Christian churches, provides an opportunity for believers to gather, reflect, and learn from the teachings of Scripture.

Despite this valuable time of communal worship, however, these sermons may not always lead to the transformative change intended. Read Full Post