Why Local Church Membership?
Throughout the New Testament, God continually brought together saints into local assemblies (1 Cor. 1:2). These assemblies were given the privileged position as local bodies that represented Jesus (1 Cor. 12:18-20). God called these members of one another to be unified through the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13) and to maintain the unity in love (Eph. 4:3-6) just as Jesus is united with God and the Spirit (John 17:21-22). The unity of God’s people through the ages will be a reality of all eternity and therefore is something God has called us to be intentional about while on this earth. The following examples give further reasons why a believer should be an active member of a local church:
1. Church membership provides a means of telling the world that we are followers of Jesus. In Mark 8:38 Jesus says, “Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” To say that we are members of a particular church is a simple way to come out of hiding and witness to an unbelieving world.
2. Church membership helps us guard the peace and purity of the church. In Matthew 18:15–20, Jesus explains how to handle conflict with another Christian. A key part of His teaching is to “tell it to the church” when other avenues of resolution fail. Unless we are committed members of a church, it is difficult to see how we would practically apply this command.
3. The church in Corinth had to deal with sexual perversion with an individual who was part of their assembly. After confronting him, they removed him from among them (1 Cor. 5:2). Some point later in the life of the church it was reported that this individual had made a turn towards God and the “punishment by the majority is enough” (2 Cor. 2:6). For the church to remove and then restore this individual it would have needed to have an organized assembly.
4. The church has been given elders by God who will give account for how they watched over souls. Hebrews 13:17 clearly states “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” This instruction about the role of elders can only be pursued if the elders have a defined group of people to care for.
5. The early church was dividing along various lines of leadership, social status, and doctrines. Paul wrote to the Corinthian church and called them to recognize their selfish ways and love those God had united them with. He further wrote, “The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you,’ nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you’” (1 Cor. 12:21). In other words, church membership places us in close union with others so that we can love our neighbor as ourselves. Paul wrote to the Galatians, “Let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10). Church membership is saying “I am now your responsibility, and you are my responsibility as we grow more like Jesus.”
Qualifications: Membership at Cornerstone Bible Church shall be extended to applicants who:
1. Profess a personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
2. Have been baptized after salvation by immersion by this or a church of like faith.
3. Have read and expressed agreement with Cornerstone Bible Church’s Bylaws and have agreed to earnestly strive to live by its principles and tenants.
4. Have demonstrated evidence of the new life in Christ.
Becoming a Member:
1. The candidate shall express his or her desire to become a member to an Elder.
2. The candidate shall submit a signed Cornerstone Bible church membership application.
3. The candidate shall be interviewed by at least two Elders.
4. Upon agreement by the Council of Elders, the candidate shall be presented to the church and be received into membership.
Status of a Member:
1. In order to maintain membership within Cornerstone Bible Church, a member must attend at least one worship service during the previous three (3) months and not be under church discipline. The former requirement shall not apply to shut-ins, missionaries or servicemen serving in other areas. Other exceptions may be approved by the Council of Elders.
2. Only members 16 or older are qualified to vote.
Termination of Membership: Termination of membership shall occur by:
1. Death of the member.
2. A letter of recommendation and dismissal to unite with another church. Members moving from the area are urged to find and unite with a church of like faith.
3. Not attending any worship service of CBC for three (3) months without reason will be removed from the membership roll.
4. Request of the member.
5. Church discipline.