Some Thoughts on Church Membership

Evening, friends—let us discuss a matter close to my heart: the importance of formal church membership. I understand how counter-cultural it can seem in our individualistic, consumer-driven society, where commitments often feel burdensome, akin to a gym subscription, a sign now, regret later kind of thing.

However, bear with me as we explore this further.

As a pastor in reformed churches, I find great value and help in classic Reformed confessions such as the Savoy Declaration of 1658 (which aligns closely with the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Second London Baptist Confession of Faith), I am convinced that church membership is not merely an optional addition. It is integral to God’s design for His people to flourish in community. While Scripture does not contain a direct command to “sign a form,” we shall see that it is firmly rooted in biblical principles when viewed holistically.

Consider the early church: it was straightforward. There was the church in Jerusalem, Antioch, or Ephesus—no vast array of options as in many modern towns and cities. Believers were incorporated into that local body without question. They were baptized and added to their number (Acts 2:41), devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer (Acts 2:42-47). The Savoy Declaration aptly describes the visible church as ‘saints who gather, profess their faith, and demonstrate it in their lives’ (Savoy 26.1; cf. WCF 25.2 and 2LBCF 26.2). They submitted to leaders qualified according to 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9, with elders exercising shepherding authority (1 Peter 5:1-4). This was not optional; it was the essence of Christian living. We are exhorted to remember those who spoke the word of God to us and to imitate their faith (Hebrews 13:7), and to greet the leaders (Hebrews 13:24)—indications of a defined, committed assembly.

In our present day, some argue, “The Bible does not explicitly mandate membership, so why insist upon it?” This seems reasonable at first, but it overlooks the overarching narrative. Scripture is not a collection of isolated directives; it is God’s unified story of covenanting with humanity. Recall Abraham: God established a covenant, sealing it with circumcision as the sign of inclusion (Genesis 17:9-14). In the New Testament, baptism fulfills this role, uniting us with Christ’s death and resurrection and incorporating us into His covenant community (Colossians 2:11–12; cf. Romans 6:3-4). The Savoy regards baptism as the seal of the covenant (Savoy 29.1–2; similar in WCF 28.1 and 2LBCF 28.1 for believers’ baptism). We are grafted in as Abraham’s true descendants (Romans 11:17-24; Galatians 3:29), members of this visible church, functioning as one body with interconnected parts (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).

Given that God’s dealings are covenantal—marked by promises, commitments, and mutual responsibility—why should this not extend to the local church? The Old Testament “assembly” (ekklesia, the term for church) was God’s covenanted people, a royal priesthood (Exodus 19:5–6; 1 Peter 2:9). How pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in unity (Psalm 133:1)!

The Savoy explains that ‘churches are constituted when believers voluntarily covenant to walk in God’s ways and submit to His ordinances’ (Savoy Platform of Polity, Ch. 2; WCF 30–31 on church governance; 2LBCF 26.7–9 on local church autonomy). It is a declaration: “We are united for God’s glory and our mutual good, through all circumstances.” Paul even names individuals in greetings, reflecting awareness of the community’s composition (Romans 16:1-16).

Let us turn to practical considerations, for our world offers a self-service selection of churches, inviting us to push our tray from church to church taking what appeals and bypassing the rest. How can elders effectively shepherd if someone merely attends sporadically for preaching, worship, or fellowship? Leaders are to oversee souls, accountable before God (Hebrews 13:17; Savoy 26.7; WCF 30.1; 2LBCF 26.7). Without a clearly defined flock, this becomes challenging. Consider the care of widows, which involved enrollment lists implying recognized membership (1 Timothy 5:3-16). And church discipline? Unrepentant individuals are to be removed to preserve the body’s purity (1 Corinthians 5:1-13; Matthew 18:15–20; Titus 3:10). Excommunication presupposes formal inclusion, with the church’s actions binding on earth and in heaven (Matthew 16:19; 18:18).

Membership affirms: “I am committed; ensure my accountability.”

If you reflect, “I have attended the same church for years, submitting to authority and contributing—why formalise?” I commend that; it is the right direction of travel, but stops short of the goal. In a sense, it resembles cohabitation without marriage: functional, but lacking covenantal depth and commitment. Ephesians 5:25-32 depicts marriage as Christ’s sacrificial love for His church—enduring and unbreakable. Membership vows emulate this: members pledge obedience and edification; leaders commit to spiritual guardianship. It is reciprocal, profound, and scriptural.

In such a committed local assembly, with mutual accountability, the Spirit of Christ administers grace through the Word, sacraments, and fellowship (Savoy 26.8).

Friends, if you are undecided, consider: What hinders you? Fear of obligation? Previous disappointments and hurts? I would welcome a conversation. Membership is not about regulations; it is embracing the pastoral care God intends. If your church is biblically sound with faithful leaders, embrace it—you will experience genuine spiritual growth.