church membership

[Transformed]

Just to get y'all's opinions about this:

Before my hubbie & I met, he'd gone to a bible church for 20+ years. There was never anything official in terms of "membership." You were a member of the Body of Christ, and that's it. The church we've been going to for the last few years, also a bible church, has members and non-members. To be a member is simply giving your testimony before an elder or a pastor, they just want to be sure you understand basic doctrine, and that's about it. I have no problem with it. Members can vote on church issues, and I can understand that they don't want someone in off the street having a deciding vote and then finding out they believe in aliens, etc. My husband has a problem (methinks a pride issue?) feeling that being "voted in" is too much like a club or something. He doesn't see the point.

What does anybody think about this please?

[sunshine79]

Hi. :wave

It doesn't sound to me as if he's really being 'voted' in as much as it is that they want to make sure what someone believes before they become members. (like you said) My personal feelings are that I would not have a problem with this.

In the church I attend, if someone wants to become a member they come forward when the call is given and they repeat some words that the minister says..."I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God and my Lord and Savior...or I take Him to be my Lord and Savior." Usually, they have made this decision known to the minister beforehand and he's talked with them about it but not always.

They are then members of our congregation. They can be baptized right then or on a different day if they wish.

Sheryl

[architectlink]

our church doesn't have memberships...they are non-denominational.

Our old church was like a country club, and had major membership drives, etc.

[cenimo]

We have a church in town with a very simple sign out front, one of the best church signs ever:

YOUR FAITH IS YOUR MEMBERSHIP.

[The Blue Orange]

I agree with cenimo; in God's club, all men are members, regardless of whether or not they believe in aliens, the only thing that matters is if they believe in Jesus.