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