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. d It is
amazing how many people churches have on their membership rosters that
do not support the church. d 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] 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. d 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. d We can all do a much better job at
setting and communicating expectations and lovingly holding members
accountable. d 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] 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. d
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] d 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.
