Church Membership

The difference between those who attend a church and those who become members often has to do with the level of commitment.

At Trinity, we recognize that church membership is not a biblical "doctrine"; at the same time we have recognized the need for a formal membership sturcture. We ask interested people to make a commitment to membership based on four reasons:

1. A Biblical Reason: Christ is committed to His Church (Eph 5:25) and membership assists us in our commitment. (Hebrews 10:24, 25)
   A Cultural Reason: It is an antidote to cultural pressures. We live in an age where few want commitment to anything - marriage, children, jobs, country. This attitude has produced a generation of Christians who are "church shoppers and hoppers." Membership swims against the current of America's "consumer religion" mentality. It is an unselfish decision.

2. A Personal Reason: It aids in producing accountability. The New Testament places a major emphasis on accountability in the Body of Christ, for both spiritual growth and corporate health. Accountability is simple to avoid when we do not become committed to any specific church family.

1. Members protect the unity of the church (Romans 15:19; Hebrews 13:7)
   
   - by acting in love toward other members
   - by refusing to gossip
   - by following leadership
   Members share the responsibility of the church (2Timothy 1:2; Romans 15:7)
   
   - by praying for its health and growth
   - by inviting unchurched people to events and opportunities to hear the gospel
   - by warmly welcoming visitors
   Members serve the ministry of the church (1Peter 4:10; Eph 4:11-12)
   
   - by discovering gifts and abilities
   - by making ourselves available to be discipled and equipped
   - by developing a servant's heart

2. Members support the testimony of Christ and the church (Hebrews 10:24, 25; 1Corinthians 16:2)
   
   - by attending regularly
   - by living a godly life
   - by supporting the church's ministries financially