John Piper - Elders are Responsible for the Church

"How Important Is Church Membership?"
July 13, 2008

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[chinnicig]

The question is: is it necessary? Is it correct to refuse membership to someone who refuses to answer to the question: do you promise to give the tithe of your gross income to the church? Is it biblical to keep someone who pays even though that person does not believe in the divinity of Christ, or the trinity, or believe God is a woman..etc.This happens a lot. I don't go around the bush. I say it the way it is. Membership in 99% of the cases is all about money control. Don't let me post proofs!

[elderaps]

@gchinnici1974 Piper isn't arguing that membership is equal to taking a class, and he isn't arguing that membership classes were given by the apostles. A membership class is a practical way of distinguishing who is a member and who isn't. Every church does practical things that aren't necessarily "biblical" - but just because something isn't found in the bible doesn't make it contrary to the Bible.

[mrchiefofsinners]

Being in Christ is the only way to be a member of His body, not some man made doctrine.

Committment and accountabliity are performed through their performance thereof, not through membership.

Church membership is like the invitation gospel, say a prayer and walk an aisle and you're saved. Attend a class, be interviewed and you're a member. Both are wrong.

[mrchiefofsinners]

All the functions of church leadership can be performed without formal membership. The doctrine of membership is man made.

It is a sign of immaturity as a person when church leaders are offended easily. All to often, church leaders are to quick to run and hide behind the mantle of leadership when someone disagrees with them.

[gchinnici1974]

I like John Piper but his explanation on membership is not biblically clear at all. How can he proves that "membership" (taking a course, etc...) is biblical. None of the apostles gave a membership course to anyone!