01.02. Church Membership
2 CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
It is a privilege and a high honor to be a member of God’s great organization. I believe it is the duty of every saved individual to affiliate himself with the church.
Every Christian needs protection against the fiery darts of the wicked, and church membership will greatly aid in this way.
Illustration In McGuffey’s reader there is a lesson on the bundle of sticks tied together that no one could break, but when separated, they broke easily. So it is if we are bound together in spiritual church fellowship, it makes us stronger and helps us stand for God.
Church membership makes Christian living easier. I could cross the continent on foot; but I can save time, energy, and make the journey with much more comfort if I use some modern means of conveyance. As long as the ducks stay close together on the lake, the bird of prey soaring above cannot catch one. He may drop and strike, but his efforts are in vain. It is when one moves away from the flock that the eagle drops upon it and carries it away. The Christian who unites with the church and is faithful to all the means of grace has more protection than the Christian who endeavors to live the life alone. A Larger Field To be identified with the church is to be identified with the best and highest institution of any community.
Church membership enlarges the field of Christian service. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations" was the commandment of Christ. Not many can do that alone, either in person or by proxy. But in the church, no matter how small our gift, we can become missionaries to all the earth. Uniting with the church is casting your influence on the right side and saying to others, "Let us not line up with the world but with the work God has launched. Most of God’s people are church members; let us join with them in pushing the Kingdom." To belong to a church is to be identified with its fourfold work, without which any Christian becomes weak and anemic. Your membership identifies you with the church at study in the Sunday school. Your membership identifies you with the church at worship in the Sunday morning hour. Your membership identifies you with the church at work in the evening evangelistic service. Your membership identifies you with the midweek prayer service. If we live for Christ, we need them all.
Woodrow Wilson said, "I admire the church because it creates an atmosphere in which men acquire moral stamina and spiritual strength."
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