Am I an Active Member?

Scriptural Reading:  Hebrews 10:19-25

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”—Hebrews 10:24-25

It’s the unmentionable subject within nearly every congregation, the “members” who are members in name only. They occupy a space on the church roster but seldom occupy a pew, much less participate in any meaningful ministry. This isn’t a new issue; even the early Church saw some “forsaking the assembling” of the saints. 

Some object to active church membership because of perceived hypocrisy, from the pulpit to the rear pew. Admittedly, we can find sin amongst those who are members of any congregation. We’re not perfect, but we’re “works in progress,” in the assembly to be perfected. That’s not a perpetual excuse to fall short, but a reality as we progress towards greater spiritual maturity and righteousness.

Active church membership doesn’t ensure salvation or eternal life of itself alone. Active membership provides opportunities to interact with those who can help encourage and hold us accountable while allowing us to reciprocate the same in a truly familial environment. It’s where we learn, grow, support and even teach each other during the journey. It’s also the setting in which we exercise our God-given gifts to glorify God and strengthen the body. There are contributions which each of us are particularly gifted to do to enhance the body of believers.

Active church membership is a reciprocating relationship that promotes spiritual and even material care and feeding to those in the flock. Membership has privileges but it also carries responsibilities, not only to be nurtured, but also nurture others. 

Scriptures remind us Jesus is the Good Shepherd who protects His sheep. The enemy dares not attack the full flock under the watch of the Shepherd. Instead, the enemy seeks out “flock-less” sheep who dare believe they can survive on their own. Don’t be a lone sheep against the lone wolf; you’ll only end up being dinner…

Question to Ponder:  Am I an active, contributing church member or only a name on a roster?  

“And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.”—1 Corinthians 12:26-27