Joining a church

[NewCreation435]

I have been attending a church since November and am now thinking about joining. I can say that I feel more a part of this church than I have in the last two that I have been a part of, but part of me thinks I have only been attending for two months and that this isn't long enough before joining. Also, I am not sure what the benefit would be of rushing to join the church after only two months.
Then there are some people who don't even think that joining a church or being on a church roll is biblical. What do you think?

 

[Lamb]

I think that there is no requirement to join a church and that it's what is called Adiaphora. It's neither forbidden nor commanded in scripture...but yet scripture encourages us to gather with others for worship.

 

[Josiah]

I have been attending a church since November and am now thinking about joining. I can say that I feel more a part of this church than I have in the last two that I have been a part of, but part of me thinks I have only been attending for two months and that this isn't long enough before joining. Also, I am not sure what the benefit would be of rushing to join the church after only two months.
Then there are some people who don't even think that joining a church or being on a church roll is biblical. What do you think?

I attended my church for about a year before OFFICIALLY joining.... but that's because I was struggling with a certain book contained in the Book of Concord (the Lutheran Confessions); I did NOT want to say "I agree with this church" if I did not; I insisted that I KNOW what is believed and AGREE with that. Truth matters. The teachings of a church are - by far - the most important thing.

WAY, WAY under that.... I cared if the church was focused on The Great Commission and Great Commandment (a lot of churches are focused on survival and self-benefit and/or is primarily a club).... and under that, is embracing (rather than exclusive). Being clearly pro-life was also a 'deal breaker" for me; I could never be apart of a church that doesn't care about the murder of hundreds of thousands of innocent, defenseless children (200 years ago, I would never have joined a pro-slavery church).

WAY under that.... I wanted a liturgical/sacramental church. But not a deal breaker - I could have joined one that was not but given the choice....


Now.... I was a single young man interested in meeting fair members of the other gender.... and this church had NONE... but my love life is NOT the reason to join or not join a church. And this church is really small and thus "missing" a lot of good things that only a larger church can do, but that too is NOT a reason to join or not join a church.




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[Albion]

I have been attending a church since November and am now thinking about joining. I can say that I feel more a part of this church than I have in the last two that I have been a part of, but part of me thinks I have only been attending for two months and that this isn't long enough before joining. Also, I am not sure what the benefit would be of rushing to join the church after only two months.
Then there are some people who don't even think that joining a church or being on a church roll is biblical. What do you think?

Since you ask, the people who say that attending a church is unnecessary and/or unbiblical are mistaken about that.

On the other hand, I cannot think of many reasons for attending regularly with no intention of ever joining.

In your case, however, I think that it might be wise for you to attend awhile longer before you decide on membership in this particular congregation, jsimms.




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[Josiah]

I think that there is no requirement to join a church and that it's what is called Adiaphora. It's neither forbidden nor commanded in scripture...but yet scripture encourages us to gather with others for worship.

Agreed; there's no biblical mandate to JOIN a church. And with my generation not being "joiners" there are lots of churches that have entirely eliminated "church membership" (my brother's HUGE mega-church has no such thing; you can technically join the mailing list but that's the most there is of "joining" - I have no idea how they handle church officers, etc.)


BUT.... in my opinion..... we are not to be perpetual guests. IMO, being a part of a church means being a part of it.... having some dedication and commitment to it. I find some similarities to marriage: something to be said for the commitment, the joining together. And it seems to be an attitude thing; to misquote President Kennedy, "Ask not what your church can do for you but what you can do for your church." Do perpetual guests do that?

AND as the Lead Trustee, I can tell you.... GUESTS rarely do much. The people who show up and DO things in the church tend to be people who JOINED the church. Maybe 20% or so (just guessing) of those in worship are perpetual guests - people not technically members - and I never see them at a work party. And I have noticed: guests tend to be more apt to leave if the grass seems greener somewhere else.





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[zecryphon_nomdiv]

I have been attending a church since November and am now thinking about joining. I can say that I feel more a part of this church than I have in the last two that I have been a part of, but part of me thinks I have only been attending for two months and that this isn't long enough before joining. Also, I am not sure what the benefit would be of rushing to join the church after only two months.
Then there are some people who don't even think that joining a church or being on a church roll is biblical. What do you think?

Does this church, in your opinion, rightly teach the whole of the Christian faith? Is there anything in their SoF you disagree with? Do you have any problems with anything they do? If you think it's a good fit, join them.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[NewCreation435]

Does this church, in your opinion, rightly teach the whole of the Christian faith? Is there anything in their SoF you disagree with? Do you have any problems with anything they do? If you think it's a good fit, join them.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

I have not heard anything yet that makes me uncomfortable or that I don't agree with.