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Church Membership
There are only two requirements for becoming a member of Mainstreet Christian Church:
1. A person must receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. A person becomes a follower of Christ (a Christian) when he or she receives by faith God’s free offer of salvation and forgiveness of sins (John 1:12). As all New Testament Christians repented of their sins and were baptized as Christ commanded, we believe faith, repentance, and baptism are necessary for membership at Mainstreet Christian Church.
2. Membership at Mainstreet Christian Church also involves a commitment to prayer and spiritual growth, regular church attendance, small group Bible study, and most importantly, the unity of the body of Christ.
Why is Membership Important?
People often wonder why formal membership in a local church is necessary. They ask, "As long as you have made a personal commitment to Christ and attend church somewhere, what is the need for formal membership in a local church?” We believe formal church membership is necessary for several reasons.
From a cultural perspective, commitment to formal membership is necessary because it is an antidote to society. As a culture, we’ve lost the meaning of the word commitment. We don’t know how to be committed to our jobs, our marriages, or to our families. It is not surprising, then, that we have a generation of people who are continually hopping from church to church, shopping for what suits them best. Formal commitment to a local church runs against the grain of our consumer mindset and builds spiritual character.
From a spiritual perspective, commitment to formal membership is necessary because of the spiritual growth it will produce. Spiritual growth is hindered when there is a lack of accountability (Hebrews 3:12-13). It is difficult to be accountable when you’re not committed to any local church. We believe there is no such thing as an unaccountable Christian.
From a practical perspective, commitment to formal membership identifies those upon whom church leaders can rely. Your favorite sports team has a roster. Every company has employees. Every country has its citizenship. Church membership is necessary to identify each church’s members. Leaders must know who are in the flock if they are to shepherd God’s children.
From a biblical perspective, commitment to formal membership is necessary because it is the clear pattern of New Testament teaching. It was the practice of the Apostles to establish local churches in different towns and cities who were lead by elders and pastors from those towns and cities (Acts 14: 21-23; Titus 1:5; Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; 1 Timothy 5:17-20). Leadership cannot exist without and identifiable flock.
By design, these local churches had an independent leadership accountable to God (Hebrews 13:17). These leaders had an identifiable flock, or membership, for whom they were responsible and for whom they were accountable (1 Peter 5:1-4; Acts 20:28-31). There, it was the practice of the early Christians to willingly identify themselves with a local church (Acts 11:22-26; 14:21-28; 15:40-41; 16:4-5; Romans 16:1-5; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 4:15; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; Philemon 1:1-2). It was also their practice to serve alongside their fellow believers (Acts 6:1-7; Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:25-31; 14:12, 26; Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Timothy 3:14-15).
As you can see, in the New Testament it was inconceivable that believers would not identify themselves with a local church. Personal and formal identification with these local bodies of believers was assumed. It is for these reasons that we place a high value on formal church membership.
In the end, the difference between someone who “attends” church and someone who is a member can be summed up in one word: commitment. This commitment is to Christ, and to his Church (Ephesians 4:15-16; Colossians 1:3-4; 1 John 2:3-11).What Is Strategic and Meaningful Membership?
There is more to being a Christian than having your name on a church roster. Some regard membership in a church like membership at a country club. However, we believe that membership in a local church is strategic and meaningful. It is strategic in that everyone pulls together in unison to accomplish the daunting task Christ has given His church. It is meaningful in that each person is an important and needed member in fulfilling the mission. Therefore, a member is someone who is fully supportive of accomplishing – both personally and corporately – the mission of Mainstreet Christian Church: making disciples for Jesus Christ.
At the core, members at Mainstreet Christian Church have invested themselves in the ministry and mission of this church. They have committed themselves through the persistence of prayer, the development of relationships, the pursuit of spiritual growth, the involvement in ministry, and the investment of their personal resources
If you and your family are interested in becoming members at Mainstreet Christian Church, the Invitation is given every Sunday during the service. Alternatively, see Leon Roberts or Bill Watts before or after the Sunday service.