Answer these questions honestly. Could Jesus, if he were physically here, become the pastor of his church, without becoming a member of it? Could he be an elder, a deacon, teach a Sunday school class…or even be a greeter? don’t lie. If not, then his church practices closed membership. By the way, who resides in a Christian that makes a Christian… a Christian in the first place? “me in them” (Jn 17,23) and “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col 1:27). When a Christian enters his church… Does Jesus also enter?
God sends, “examine everything; stick to the good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Church membership is a “thing.” Since it affects the practical workings of the communion of saints, scrutiny is called for. In fact, to leave this practice unexamined… would be a sin.
Definitions
Membership of a closed church places one’s profession of faith secondary to the elements that make up the qualifications of that local church for “membership.” A profession of faith in Jesus Christ, as one’s Lord and Savior, is not enough to be “in.” Distinctive things must be agreed upon, before full access is granted.
Open church membership recognizes one’s profession of faith as an authorized transaction between an individual and God. “Giving thanks with joy to the Father, who made us fit to participate in the inheritance of the saints in light. Because he freed us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the Kingdom of his beloved Son” (Col 1:12,13). God himself lavishes all kinds of gifts, promises and temporary and eternal charges in that transfer… and it is “in.” Open membership honors this eternal transaction immediately and fully, and fears inserting itself unfairly between the almighty, living, and holy Creator…and His Son.
The catalyst for my query
When I was on the staff of a residential ministry, a professing Christian left us and headed to a local area church. He did not repent of a clear sin. I called the church to inform them, expecting that they would investigate and then present a united front against this errant brother. Such action internally protects the local body and is actually an act of love towards the offender. This also externally protects that local body from being seen as a haven for the unrepentant, “spiritual criminals” who are professing Christians. Anyway, they told me there was nothing the church could do. That individual… was not a member of the church. Questions arose… and beliefs arose.
The practice of church membership
Historically, church membership is a relatively new practice. The Reformation catapulted its use. Its purpose was to keep nonconformists in the particular sect… out of. The sect’s insignia were thus protected from corruption. Actually, not much has changed. This is one of those rare cases when “preservation” it actually promotes decomposition. In order for you to understand the material that comes…teaching ability is required.
Tea “Free zone” and the “Freeze Zone”
Closed membership creates an exterior “zoned” in the local church. Professing Christians can attend…and float about as free agents, without accountability or responsibility. This is a “Free zone” created by church leaders – not sanctioned by God. On the other hand, it is also a “Frozen zone.” Church leaders can Exclude professing Christians whom they designate “a threat” for some reason. This censorship is destructive to the “frozen” holy and also harms that local church body.
Damage 1: Weaker Brothers Rule
…with stronger brothers sent. Closed membership is actually the bad fruit… of weaker brothers. This tool keeps the brothers stronger. out of – which cannot, and will not, bow to these plastic fire barriers. For example, Paul quotes those who declare certain days as “high and holy”, or who declares things “unclean” that in reality they are not… like weaker brothers (Ro 14:1-23, and 1Cor 10:19-33). Of course not often Appear weaker, or they think so. They bang on pulpits, institutionalize their little badges, rule their flocks, attack dissenters, and keep opponents at bay. Then, in the greatest of ironies, they accuse saints as dispatched as, “unwilling to submit to authority”, “divisive”, “fractious”, “rebellious”, “lone rangers”, “being their own God”, “unteachable”, “sanctimonious”, etc. But in truth, those who hide behind their plastic barriers have closed themselves out of unwanted information – and challenges. Closed church membership establishes strongholds where weaker brethren rule…for now.
Damage 2: A mutilated body
God grants spiritual gifts to his children “for the good common” (1 Cor 12, 7). The Spirit distributes these “to each one in particular as He wants” (1Cor 12,11). I would not be surprised if we find that throughout history, God has endowed the saints in the area with a great balance of gifts. And, the health of that body, and consequently its repercussion in its area, will be directly related to the accuracy of their leadership practices in the church (government). Closed church membership is an extremely effective tool… for tearing apart the local body. Local “leaders” they cut off hands, feet, ears and gouge out eyes… and then wonder why they don’t have a bigger impact on their community. Closed church membership comes straight from the church toolbox. “the angel of light” (2 Cor 11,14). She has used it and continues to use it, skillfully.
Damage 3: “For the world to believe…”
“I pray not only for (the disciples), but also for those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one…so that the world may believe that you sent me” (John 17:20,21).
Open Church Membership is hard. Individuals with vast differences come together and work together in a common cause. This confuses outside observers…because, naturally, “Birds of a feather flock together.” God wants to create a local body that is extremely “unnatural.” Open membership results in a group that, by its existence alone, speaks loudly and convincingly to the community around it. Unfortunately, closed membership creates churches that look, to outsiders, like other groups. is made up of the same “writes” from the people. This single mistake forfeits one of God’s best witness tools: unity in true diversity.
the local church
…is God’s creation for his children in this age. The saints are equipped there. “for the work of service” (Ephesians 4:12). There spiritual gifts are exercised to “the building up of the body of Christ, until we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man” (Ephesians 4:12,13). It is not a place of universal agreement on all things, as each person is at a different level of maturity, in knowledge, understanding, and behaviors. So, it is a place of tolerance in many areas… however, a place where “iron sharpens iron” (Proverbs 27:17). That necessarily implies friction. It is a place of discovery, research and growth, and an oasis and place of safety. It is a place where his children experience glimpses of the age to come, “where justice dwells” (2 Peter 3:13).
Real Responsibility of Local Church Leadership
The initial responsibility of the local church leadership to a newcomer is extremely simple. Is that individual a professing Christian or not? If yes, as a member of the body of Christ, God requires that local leaders allow his child full access to all the spiritual treasures that reside in that local group. Furthermore, He expects that local body to seek Him for His reasons to bring that saint to them at that time in His history.
God requires doctrinal and behavioral soundness from every saint, both new and old. Local leadership must be extremely careful in defining what that last statement really means. When Paul said, “If any of the so-called brothers … be immoral, or greedy, or idolater, or abusive, or drunkard, or swindler … Put away the wicked from among you” (1Cor 5,11-13), those sins must be defined as God defines them. And when it is violated, the procedure of Matthew 18:15-17 must be followed. The same is true when evaluating doctrinal soundness. Who would God label, “a factious man” (Timothy 3:9-11)? What “it is contrary to sound teaching” (1Ti 1:10) – instead of allowing the convictions of those with weaker knowledge to stand (Ro 14:1-23)? And what is a real diffusion of “strife between brothers” (Proverbs 6:19)? Proper definitions in all respects must be carefully forged before the Head of the Church, and clearly announced to newcomers. The freedom to challenge those definitions is a permanent right if one believes that grounds for such a challenge have been discovered.
conclusion
God does not require anything beyond properly defined behaviors and doctrines for His children to have full rights of participation in the local church. The plastic barriers are an assault on the designations given to that saint by the Head of the Church. Since these designations come through a successfully endured crucifixion, any practice that subverts these blood-bought endowments is a sin of the first order. Postponement from these matters will not excuse anyone from responsibility for these matters Closed affiliation is sanctioned by lack. I hold that this little item will survive His flames, while myriads of church scrolls, and all that they stand for… will vanish.