What Does Being a "Member" of a Church Mean

I believe that becoming a member means that you go to classes to learn what that church really believes in. Then you officially become a member. I think that as a member you are able to vote in your church. For example if the church is thinking about spending some of their money on a new construction project, the members would get to vote. I do not know if tithing has anything to do with becoming a member but I would think it would not. I too at times have been discouraged about all of the money talk at church. But ultimately a church needs money to operate just like any business does. I believe that the bible calls us to tithe. When God was organizing the Isrealites into tribes he said that the Levites would be the spritual leaders as the rest of the tribes would give things to them. I feel that our church and the leaders of the church are our spiritual leaders and we need to support them. However, tithing is something between you and God and should not keep you from participating in anything the church does. just my opinions. I hope this helps.

There's so much more to tithing than you will give %10 and be "poorer"! You give the so-called "first fruits" and put your faith in God and your generosity is repaid by many percent.
You don't "have" to tithe, but as your faith grows, you will understand it better.
You don't have to "join" the church to attend, so don't feel obligated to join.

I am a member of a church where tithing is required to have status. It irks me that I too would have to go to my Bishop for welfare help to pay the utilities and buy food if we paid tithes. We are on disability and I get child support from the 2 dads of my grandkids we are raising. My daughter has never paid a cent.

We get by by me working 3 part time jobs. I do ironing fro several people, clean house for my FIL and he gives us a gasoline card with a generous suggested limit, and I work at the dance/gym facility where the grandkids take classes to pay for their classes. We get scholarships for Soccer. T-Ball, and some stuff at the Y.

We don't spend money on silly things like Pantene shampoo, new shoes for me or J, new clothes for us either, the kids get everything they need and some of what they want. We used up all our food storage that was for a year in the first 6 months the kids were here and we can't afford to replace it. So we live on the groceries from the food bank and what we can afford to buy.

My sister was going to her husbands church and felt that she was amidst money grubbers. It's all they ever talked about, is the offering enough, is the building fund full, etc...it can be very draining to someone just wanting to be spiritually fed the work of God.

To me. being a member of a church should mean that you have a family that knows you, that you know, that you can share things with and be supported and that when someone has a need you can be there for theme. Being part of that body of Christ. Truly brothers and sisters.

In my experience, membership is not done by personal invitation like joining an exclusive club. Instead, membership is available to anyone who is interested, and if you want to become a member, you yourself ask about joining.

A pastor or deacon can tell you what it means to be a member at your particular church, and I'm sure they'd be very glad to answer all your questions about it. At my church, it means that you have a voting voice in decisions that need to be made for the church (like choosing new deacons), that you can become a deacon, and that the church can expect your support with prayer, attendance, and giving. Basically that you want to be a more committed member of their church family.

As for the "money talk," that has to be done now and then. There are people who want to support the church but don't know what the needs are. And there are other people who don't realize what tithing is about, and it's something the pastor needs to teach them.

God wants us to give from a grateful and willing heart (2 Corinthians 9:7)
If you really want to give, but you don't think that you can because of your income and expenses, then I suggesting trying 2 things...
1. Give of your time--help out in the nursery or in a Sunday school class or making coffee. If you're not sure what to help with, ask!
2. Start giving a little, even if it's not 10%. Pray and tell God that you want to be a giver but you're afraid. Tell Him you're going to step out in faith, and that you're going to trust Him to take care of your family.
See what He'll do.

True membership should not be a clique, it should be common believers sharing the same vision, supporting the ministries (time and money), working in ministries by being committed all for the one goal of reaching souls who are lost. Once a member, the church expects that person to be actively involved in supporting the mission of the church body so it can grow!

If you want to become a "member" of this church- talk to your pastor. It usually involves baptism or a commitment of the sort.
Personally, after being a "member" of a church for my entire life, I switched churches- It was a very difficult thing to do, but I never again want to be a "member" of any church. I want to be known as a christian- not a denomination.
~C.

Our church has classes for anyone interested in joining the church, that way they can learn about the specific beliefs and traditions of our denomination and our church before you make the decision to join. We do not feel we are able to tithe, but we give generously of our time, my husband often gives up time he could be earning money to go on mission trips

I have not read the all the other responses...but here is my take on being a member of a church.

I am Baptist...I was saved a little over 12 years ago and baptized in the church were I accepted Christ. That made me a member of that church. A few years later I began to attend a different Baptist church closer to my home and my son's school. During the invitational I went to the Pastor and asked to have my Baptismal certificate transferred to the church. That made me a member of that church.

I am now on my third church - having moved again. And just a few weeks ago, after attending the church on and off for year, once again made the trip to the alter during the invitational and became a member of the church.

You are not asked to be a member of the church, through your request, either through initial salvation or by asking for your baptismal certificate to be transferred you become a member of the church. Just attending the same church does not make you a member. Your name must be placed on the church roles and your baptismal certificate must be transferred to the church.

That is the concrete explanation of membership to a Baptist church.

The abstract concept of church membership will vary from person to person. I believe that is a feeling of being part of a "family". Developing friendships with people within the church, knowing that in a time of crisis they will help you and you will help them. Bringing a dish to the Sunday potluck, and joining a ladies night out. A lot of what you get out of church membership is what you put into it. If you are only going to services then leaving, you will not achieve a sense of membership. It is not wrong to just go to services - it is a personal choice.

As to the "money talk" - churches have mortgages, utilities, Pastor salaries, and other bills to pay. Tithing and donating to the church, asides from being biblical, help support the church and keep its doors open so that you can receive Word of God. I am currently in between jobs and my income has been cut 75%, but I still tithe. Why? Because I have seen my tithe returned to me 100fold. Concrete example....I received a call from a creditor - it seems I had overpaid them(they overcharged me) and they wanted to refund my overpayment...it exactly equaled the amount I have tithed over the last 2 Sundays.

M., churches are like doctors - you want to find one you are comfortable with. If you are not happy with the church you are attending, visit other ones until you find one that is the right fit for you and your family. Don't deny yourself and your family the joys of church membership - this may just not be the right church for you.

Remember, churches are run by people with all the inherent failings that we have - look past that and to the Word of God and you will make the decision that is best for your family.

God Bless.

I think it depends on the church and your choice of involvement. For "me", membership means that they have my information and if I can give money to church, that is the one I will give it to, and the one that I consider my church. I also get a call when they do directory photos. My children are baptized there, but we aren't really involved either, mainly because it is on the opposite side of town.

That being said, I was baptized when I was a baby, so even though I have switched churches since then, I've never been rebaptized into a different church (same faith).

Hi M.,

You have gotten a lot of good information here. Membership is really like being part of a family. It takes your involvement a little deeper. Most churches encourage it because they want everyone to know they are welcome. It also tells the church that you really want to be involved.

Scripturally you are also putting yourself under the authority of the leaders of the church. You are also responsible to hold them accountable to what the Bible says and not extra stuff that "man" has deemed necessary.

Money usually gets peoples feathers ruffled, whether it's in the pulpit or at home, lol. Tithing does keep the church operating and tithing is also a part of being obedient to the Word of God. Ten percent was an example in the Bible. I have found that when we tithe and don't think we really have enough to get through the month, more money always appears. God does bless for obedience. (Our church doesn't pass a plate. We have a box at the back of the church so your tithe can be somewhat discreet.I like this better because then visitors don't feel obligated or embarrassed to put money in as people watch the plate go by.) Tithing is biblical but extra giving can't be done if you don't have it. Don't let the "talk" make you uncomfortable.

Hope this helps...

M.

.

Hi. Members usually first make a commitment of faith, say coming forward during an altar call. If you have done that, then you would let the pastor know if you wanted to be members if you do.
Many churches teach 1st 10% tithe to God via the local church as in the Bible. Offerrings are above that.
Also to vote on budget, new pastor, etc.. you need to be a member.
It is not required and you could keep doing what you are doing as many do.

I thought being a member meant you were formally baptized into that religion.

ok I am baptist. if you dont feel like you "belong" to the church it is not the right church for you. being a member only means you have total faith in christ. there are no so called perks for it. other than you know god is inside of you and you are going to heaven.

now as for the tithing. look at the golden rule. do unto others as you would have them do unto you. so take that verse if you were in need(which you are ) would you be appreciative of someone giving you somthing. not necessarily money.? The money you give to god goes for bible studies, mission trips, helping low income pay rent, utilities, buy food, helping people get to funerals in time of need. etc. in genisis the bible talks about tithing being a faith thing. if you give your first ten percent to god he will bless you with more. you are giving back to god what he gave to you in appreciation.

Here is the whole kicker that people dont understand about tithing. if you don't have faith in god that he will give it back to you plus some you arent ready to tithe. it is a faith thing and if your faith isnt strong enough tithing is just giving money away. you have to find faith before you can tithe and be comfortable with it. obviously you are not finding faith at the church you are going to or you wouldnt be asking either of these questions. My suggestion try other churches till you find one you feel at home with and dont feel obligated to tithe. faith is something only god can teach. tithing is showing your faith in god and with faith being something only god can teach until you have your faith you wont feel comfortable tithing. if you are not comfortable doing it dont. if your faith isnt strong enough dont. I would highly suggest trying other churches. I dont feel the one your going to is the right one for you. you will know it when you find the right church it will fit like a well fitted glove. you dont get asked to become members its just something you do when it feels right in your heart. you just know. you would be welcomed in all churches but the church has to fit you and you only. the right church for me isnt the right church for you. etc. just like your going to a baptist now maybe your home is in a luthern church or pentacostle. there is more than one religion try them all on for size. good luck finding a church and you will just know if the church is right and the time to tithe is right. there are not set rules follow your heart.

This really depends on the church. Most churches don't seek you out to be members, it is a choice of the person attending.
Becoming a member is a way to publicly say that this is your home church. In our church (because it is a VERY large wesleyan church) we had to go to 2 different classes before becoming members and then submit an appication and have it approved. In the church i grew up in (which was a smaller baptist church) once i was baptized there they considered me a member, my parents chose to become members (they were already baptized) and i think they just had to talk to the pastor and go through a little class to make sure they understood what that particular church's mission statement was, etc.

The "money talk" from any church is understandable because a church cannot function without money. They need money to keep the electric on and the heat on and to pay the pastor (most people can't afford to work for free and pastoring is a full time job). So if you enjoying the services of the church, it is nice to contribute to keep it going! Also tithing is scripturally asked for (the first 10% of what you bring in), but you're not going to be struck down by lightning if you don't do it. I didn't tithe for a long time, but once my husband and i started tithing (and to be honest we didn't do 10% at first, we just did 5% which was more than we could afford) it was amazing how our finances fell right into place. Kinda funny how that happened once we trusted. That trust is hard to do though.

Another part of membership in my current church is service. They do ask that once you're a member you get involved somehow, because again, it takes many volunteers to keep a church running - from sunday school teachers so the children can learn at their own level instead of in the general service, people to sing or do music, people to run the sound system, people to clean the church, people to bring snacks/drinks for community hours, or even behind the scenes stuff like making bulletins or prayer teams. Every church has different needs, and its nice to be involved with something if it means a lot to you on a weekly basis. That being said, its a personal choice and i've never heard of a church REQUIRING their members to serve or get involved or tithe.