What is the purpose of church membership?

[LynnDel]

What is the purpose of formal church membership for the individual? I can see benefits for a local church or denomination who wants to know numbers, but for an individual who may have attended a particular church regularly for 15 years but never transferred membership, what does it matter to that person?

[Gregory Matthews]

The denomination and sometimes even the denomination may not have a good method of knowing who its friends are due to the fact that the only official records that exist may be those who have formally joined.

I am aware, that some congregations recognize that there is a need for such and are making some sort of effort to have records that are helpful.

Sometime within the past five years I made a proposal to a congregation that  had number of people who actively (regularly) attended and participated in the services if the congregation to establish an Associate Membership list.

As  would probably be expected by people who understand the thinking of denominational leadership, such would not likely be considered positively by leadership.  In any case, that congregation felt my proposal have been positive and of value.  But, it did not fell that was the direction that it should go at that time.

But it was felt to be helpful in that my proposal identified the issues and addressed each of them.

 

[debbym]

relationships form or do not form, but not according to the record of formally joined members.

[LynnDel]

Someone told me that formal membership is needed only to serve, or hold office as nominated by the nominating committee. If the nominating committee does not see fit to give a person an office or a way to serve, year after year, what good is membership?

[LynnDel]

I'm thinking maybe I should have posted this under Church Policies...

[Kevin H]

Good question. I think that on the one hand the membership is good for knowing that you are a part of the group and for the conference "report card" for the pastor

On the other hand I have often felt that we need to recognize our friends who may not be where we can use them as an example of what our church is, but still welcome their friendship and fellowship.

I also could not help but think about how in the 1980s (I'd like to know how it is now), in Israel, our church with the largest membership was the Haifa church. An interesting thing about that church was that most of the members were in their 80s and 90s. They became Seventh-day Adventists at a time when our missionaries were sent to Europe and shared Adventism with their Christian neighbors and were not use to working with non-Christians, and when they ran into the Jewish ghettos they offered them a Jewish version of Adventism. Later the church stopped doing that and said that those who were already Seventh-day Adventist Jews could still stay in good standing but from then on whoever wanted to join the church needed to be a Christian.

Which lead to the church that had the highest attendance, the Tel Aviv Church. There they had a handful of members, but about an equal number of Jews who would attend week after week, year after year. They loved Seventh-day Adventism but would refuse to become members because they did not want to become Christians. So they would actively attend every week, were a contributing part of the church but who's names were never on the membership logs.  

[Gregory Matthews]

Lynndel:   The local congregation can place any person into a leadership position that they wish to do so.   I once pastored a congregation that placed people into positions of leadership who were NOT SDAs.  However, it should be noted that in all of those cases the leadership positon did not require ordination.  That congregation had done so for years before I became their pastor and  they continued on for years after I left as their pastor.

 

Also, I believe that this thread is fine here.  So, I see no need to move it. 

 

[Gregory Matthews]

Due to the possible interest in my proposal for Associate Membership, I have placed a copy of that proposal in this section and labeled Associate Membership.

 

[LynnDel]

So it sounds like the bottom line is that membership is not all that important, but to those to whom it is, we need an associate membership category so that everyone can be a member. Would the associate category also be for those who currently are unable to live up to church standards in various ways (smokers, for example) or who might have been disfellowshipped under normal circumstances but would instead be demoted to associate status?

To the church it might make a difference, but how does membership (or associate membership) help the individual?

Is a non-member able to hold a position but unable to vote in church business meetings?

It sounds like membership is a reward, and taking it away is used as punishment, or a "you can't be a member because you might embarrass the church" action.

In the other side the coin, removing one's membership is often used by individuals to punish the church, a statement by the individual to the church saying, "You didn't measure up, therefore I wash my hands of you." 

I deal with these kinds of things since I am a church clerk, and sometimes I think membership limits the church in reaching out to those who have been removed or have removed themselves, because once having gone through the process of being separated, it creates an emotional wall, an uncomfortable point in time that makes it hard to come back and feel welcome.

(Probably too many topics in one post. You should have seen it before I edited it.)

[Stan]

recently, in a galaxy far away.

A member who has been attending for 30+ years, and is gay, and has been honest about it, had his membership removed.

other members, who have not attended for 30+ years are still members in good an regular standing.

 

to quote Forest Gump..

Stupid is as Stupid does.

 

[NOTE:  It  is very rarely that I would edit the post of another person.   It is less often that I would edit the post of Stan.  But, when I first read his post my immediate thought was that Stan was now coming out of the closet and telling us that he was gay!  As I do not believe such to be the case, and to prevent such from being thought by others, I have edited out a typo in the above post that removes the possibility that Stan might be coming out of the closet.  Stan, if I was wrong and/or you object to my editing your post, please change it back--GM.    ]

[Gregory Matthews]

Lynndel:

You mention someone using tobacco.  Yes, as my Associate Membership proposal was written, such a person could be given an Associate Membership.   However, I will simply point out that in the present situation SDAs who use tobacco are often maintained as members.

You ask about voting in a Church Business meeting.  That is a formalized situation in which voting rights should be restricted to SDA members.

    

[LynnDel]

When you think about it, it seems the only enticement for formal membership is the right to vote in Church Business Meeting. Such a meeting is rare, perhaps once or twice a year, and many members don't take advantage of that right.

Are there any other reasons one would want to have a formal membership?

[Gregory Matthews]

The bottom line is that we are living in a time where many in our society are asking such questions, especially among those of a younger age than most of us.

 

[LynnDel]

That again brings up the problem of our baptism policy -- automatic membership when baptized. I've known perhaps a handful of people who wanted baptism but didn't want the membership. Some chose not to be baptized in our church because of that policy, and some were baptized (after a Revelation Seminar) and voted in, even though they had asked not to be made members. I don't know how they came to be baptized without understanding how our church does it. The Sabbath they were baptized was their last Sabbath in church. They were very disappointed that their wishes were not followed.

We use the terminology, "baptized into the church," when the person is actually being baptized into Christ. Even our long-time members -- maybe especially our long-time members -- are confused about the meaning of baptism.

This baptism/membership issue has come up repeatedly for years. Is there a possibility that this matter will ever be considered for amending?

[LynnDel]

Quote

Later the church stopped doing that and said that those who were already Seventh-day Adventist Jews could still stay in good standing but from then on whoever wanted to join the church needed to be a Christian.

Kevin, are you saying that some Seventh-day Adventist Jews in Israel at that time did not believe in Jesus as Messiah? Isn't that the only thing that makes one a Christian -- believing in Christ?

 

[debbym]

I think one valuable purpose of church membership is about a circle of people from which to draw funds from for the agreed on projects of that group.  This would be schools, missions, churches, and world services like ADRA.  And we draw from this circle for spiritual community in the presence of disaster, grief loss, and celebrations.   For example,  The Gleaner has articles of projects accomplishments, and reports of deaths, and anniversaries.

People come to church with many different ideas of what church is or what church means to them.  i think we run into each other in the areas where we think and feel differently.

I know from experience when we grow up in a closely bonded family church community we may come to believe all SDA churches are like this.  To then join go to a less intimate church it can be difficult.

The church used to be more homogenized.  I can see people on a tribal level resisting this change and feeling it is the end of the church.  I see we can hang ourselves on our feel good church experience.  Lots of warmth and hand holding can bring a culture of emotional dependency that does not foster faith but rather clicks.

Then there are the cruel kindnesses of the pseudo Christian.  A binding to each other without it being a union because we are bound to Christ is far different.  Pastors deal with members who want to be great friends with the pastor and form a circle of being special to the pastor.  This is not helpful to the function of church.

But we are just people with all the feelings and foibles, and we so easily operate in groups using the "us"  "them" paradigm.  This is useful when in groups of similar profession, or hobbyist, or licensed groups.  You have share common knowledge and have similar rules. there is comfort here.  But when this comfort becomes  exclusivity and a barrier to showing the  love of Christ to the community it is defeating to the purpose of church.

[LynnDel]

Those are good reasons for a church, DebbyM and Wanderer, but it doesn't explain how formal membership in a church enhances one's ability to participate, except for rules made by the church for members-only participation, and our church isn't very exclusive in that way. The SDA Church places high value on membership but so far I haven't seen any clarity on what membership does for the member -- except for a discount for your lodging at camp meeting time and a discount for your children's education in an SDA school.

I have seen "loose" membership churches (i.e. regular attendees are called members, no formal acceptance required) -- nondenominational or independent -- gather funds and do phenomenal things for others in their own community and for missions across the world. Membership isn't necessary for such activities. Such participants may pledge to help with this or that project, but it is not the same as being a card-carrying member.

You can associate closely and worship with others, week and week, and not need membership credentials to do it.

 

[debbym]

9 minutes ago, The Wanderer said:

Chap. 1 - God's Purpose for His Church

     The church is God's appointed agency for the salvation of men. It was organized for service, and its mission is to carry the gospel to the world. From the beginning it has been God's plan that through His church shall be reflected to the world His fullness and His sufficiency. The members of the church, those whom He has called out of darkness into His marvelous light, are to show forth His glory. The church is the repository of the riches of the grace of Christ; and through the church will eventually be made manifest, even to "the principalities and powers in heavenly places," the final and full display of the love of God.  Ephesians 3:10.  {AA 9.1}  
     
 

We have a tendency as human beings to form groups that we are inside and the "others" are outside... to insulate ourselves.  The Jews did this, and every organization  that has rigorous membership  requirements are setting strong boundaries of being "in".   This creates motives for not violating those so you don't lose your "in" status.  It is reinforced by rewards and acceptance and all kinds of approval and rewards.  This is so without any group having anything to do with religion or Christ, or service.  Gangs beat people into the gang.  Some churches have months long classes and relationship forming occasions in order to establish initiation, and establish new members into the group.  This may or may not have anything to do with Christ.  Cults have very powerful group membership characteristics.

Groups that form by the power of the Holy Spirit hopefully operate differently.  Unfortunately as human beings these characteristics can still come shining through as human tendencies.  We can become possessive of our group, and get a team spirit, and be devoted as to a political party or a favorite team.  And this can be thought of as Godliness.

Different christian groups have attempted to free themselves of these things, especially groups that do not have a central authority figure.

[debbym]

13 minutes ago, LynnDel said:

Those are good reasons for a church, DebbyM and Wanderer, but it doesn't explain how formal membership in a church enhances one's ability to participate, except for rules made by the church for members-only participation, and our church isn't very exclusive in that way. The SDA Church places high value on membership but so far I haven't seen any clarity on what membership does for the member -- except for a discount for your lodging at camp meeting time and a discount for your children's education in an SDA school.

I have seen "loose" membership churches (i.e. regular attendees are called members, no formal acceptance required) -- nondenominational or independent -- gather funds and do phenomenal things for others in their own community and for missions across the world. Membership isn't necessary for such activities. Such participants may pledge to help with this or that project, but it is not the same as being a card-carrying member.

You can associate closely and worship with others, week and week, and not need membership credentials to do it.

 

and a discount for getting into heaven... ha ha just kidding.

we function in groups for everything.  we are just social creatures.  to have a group we are in that is purely based in our relationship to Christ is something amazing and wonderful, it is a creation of God.  

Unfortunately the church group is not heaven on earth yet.  

I think we all want to have a family that loves us and meets our needs, and is a place where we can contribute and belong.  these are powerful creator designed needs.  If this is not our immediate family then we can hope to find this in the family of God, "the church".  and to have membership means we belong, we are recognized, we were born into the family and we leave by dying.  Membership informs the others in the group that you choose to belong, you want to belong and you accept the belonging of each person that has made that choice.  Membership is a an expression of a new level of commitment.  Like becoming married, after being close and good friends.

[Stan]

I have battle with this issue in the past.

Joining a Church is similar to a joining a corporation, only members can have voting power, although most everyone can have voice.  Decision to be made to reach out to the community or around the world is not only nice, but it is the gospel commission.

One does not have to be a member of the Church to be a member here.

 

 

[LynnDel]

On 5/6/2017 at 0:35 PM, debbym said:

 

I think we all want to have a family that loves us and meets our needs, and is a place where we can contribute and belong.  these are powerful creator designed needs.  If this is not our immediate family then we can hope to find this in the family of God, "the church".  and to have membership means we belong, we are recognized, we were born into the family and we leave by dying.  Membership informs the others in the group that you choose to belong, you want to belong and you accept the belonging of each person that has made that choice.  Membership is a an expression of a new level of commitment.  Like becoming married, after being close and good friends.

Those are reasons that worked in the past, kind of like joining a club. It seems that in the current era, church members aren't as sociable as they used to be. Invitations to Sabbath dinner aren't made because the church has a weekly potluck, and some pastors actually frown on members making invitations and skipping the potluck. On Sabbath you convocate with people you've gradually come to know, but you are actually closer with coworkers who are "of the world" than with people at church.  

Commitment is a good thing, and probably the best reason to be a member.

For some multigenerational SDAs who want their names removed from the books, commitment is not so much a problem as feeling distanced from the other members, feeling unneeded, ignored, deciding that membership is only a painful reminder of an ideal that has not been reached -- and most who should don't notice the lack or don't know how to fix it.

Edited May 8, 2017 by LynnDel
Corrected autocorrect incongruities

[Gregory Matthews]

Lynndel, said in the quote below:

Some SDA evangelists 50 - 100 years ago were doing just that.  Those who did were pressured to change.  But. I can not say that it has entirely stopped.

In some SDA congregations today (2017) You can be baptized without joining the SDA  denomination.  This is NOT widely published.   As it is not widely published, it   is  generally ignored by denominational leadership.

This baptism/membership issue has come up repeatedly for years. Is there a possibility that this matter will ever be considered for amending?

[LynnDel]

Thank you, Gregory. It's good to hear there is some flexibility in some places, allowing persons who desire baptism without membership to go ahead and be baptized by an SDA pastor in an SDA church. Perhaps the concept will grow.

[Kevin H]

13 hours ago, LynnDel said:

Kevin, are you saying that some Seventh-day Adventist Jews in Israel at that time did not believe in Jesus as Messiah? Isn't that the only thing that makes one a Christian -- believing in Christ?

 

They did believe that he was God/Messiah, however it was in a very Jewish way that I sort of see but don't know how to explain. There are other Jews in the same situation in this feeling about Jesus. Dr. Robert Johnston at Andrews University in his "Jewish life and thought" class said that as he understood it most except for the extreme Rabbies would have no problem with their members accepting Jesus as the Messiah, it is their embracing Christianity that they have problems with.

[phkrause]

On 5/6/2017 at 0:14 PM, LynnDel said:

Kevin, are you saying that some Seventh-day Adventist Jews in Israel at that time did not believe in Jesus as Messiah? Isn't that the only thing that makes one a Christian -- believing in Christ?

 

There are Messianic Jews, who are still Jews!! They don't consider themselves to be christian. Its the foolish rules of the Jewish nation that says those that believe in Jesus can't be Jewish. I was born Jewish. but was not brought up Jewish, or I should say my father, having spent 5+ years in 3 different concentration camps wanted nothing to do with God or Judaism. So we never did any of the Jewish festivals, etc. Do I consider consider myself Jewish? Absolutely, but I am a SDA! Which doesn't take away that I was born Jewish. I'm not sure any of that makes any sense to you, it does to me!