I completely understand your difficulties regarding church membership and
evangelism. It is a difficult time for church membership. Not only is it difficult for
the churches to remain open due to COVID and funding complications, but many
members are still unsure about church attendance and personal safety. This
makes it difficult for churches to open and even if they are able to return from
COVID, it is difficult for members to actually attend church services. So, I
understand what you mean when you say that church membership is a mark that
could use improvement and refinement. I also appreciated your discussion about
how churches should serve and reflect Christ, have an impact upon others, and
have a love for sharing His word. That is so true and you state it very concisely
and eloquently.
I also understand your difficulties regarding evangelism. This is a mark that I also
need to improve upon. I also emphasized the importance of evangelism and the
universal responsibility for all of God’s people to share His word. As you rightfully
mention, it is not solely the responsibility and call of pastors, but is an expectation
for all of God’s followers. We should all share the Gospel to the world. This is
definitely an area that I need to work on.
I agree, church membership needs to be taken much more seriously. e It is
amazing how many people churches have on their membership rosters that do not
support the church. e In citing a survey by Life Way Christian Resources, Hammett
stated that only 34 % of Southern Baptist members attend church on any given
Sunday.[1] e We can reasonably assume that the same holds true across all
Christian churches.
I believe the church should and can be much more effective in dealing with the
large number of members that seldom attend, do not give, and do not actively
participate. e The church has to be less enamored with the number of members
and more concerned about transforming members into effective and productive
followers of Christ. e We can all do a much better job at setting and communicating
expectations and lovingly holding members accountable. e I do not know any other
organization outside of the church that allows members to reap the benefits
without any type of contribution to the organization.
I agree with Dever when he says we "do inactive members no service when we
allow them to remain members of the church."[2] e When we do not correct this
problem, inactive members believe that it is acceptable to be inactive. It is also
unfair to the small remnant that does all of the lifting. e Churches could start to
address their membership problem by requiring members to sign a church
covenant, similar to what Dever outlined, that lists responsibilities such as
attending services regularly and giving.[3] e At least, this would set a standard for
membership expectations and responsibilities.
[1] John S. Hammett, “Reclaiming Meaningful Church Membership: A Modest
Proposal,” Faith and Mission 17:2 (Spring 2000): 3.
[2] Mark Dever, Nine Marks of a Healthy Church 3rd ed. (Wheaton, IL: Crossway,
2013), 175.
[3] Ibid., 172-173.
