June 2007 Letter from the Pastor

Someone asked Sir Winston Churchill, “Are you a pillar of the church?” He quipped, “I am more of a flying buttress: I support it from the outside.”

I suppose that could be said of many.

Church membership seems to be less important for many today than it was years ago. (Although many are actively involved in church ministries without being members.)

Redeemer currently has 78 members on our Active Membership List. Article V., Section 2. a. of our Church Constitution states…”members who fail to attend regularly (at least 12 times per year) the worship services of the church shall be placed on the non-attending roll…”

That standard is imperfect, but it provides some degree of measurement for where a church member may be in their faith. We therefore have an unpublished list of non-attending members.

A saved individual becomes a member of the body of Christ. The Apostle Paul said in I Corinthians 12:13 – “For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body – whether Jews of Greeks, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.” This is a reference to the Universal Church of believers.

A Christian must decide whether or not to formally commit oneself to a local body of believers.

John MacArthur suggests that, ‘…the Biblical foundation for church membership permeates the New Testament.’ This basis can be seen most clearly in: the early church example; the existence of church government; the exercise of church discipline; and the exhortation to mutual edification.’

Do you know why you are, or why you are not a member of the local church? Whether you are a member or not, have you repented of your sin, trusted Jesus as Savior, and followed Him through the waters of baptism?

We are starting a new membership class on June 3rd, during the Sunday School hour. Instruction will be given on these and other important issues for those considering church membership.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Colossians 2:6-7, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”

I believe that church membership is important. I believe that being a part of a local church can help one walk in the faith. Together we can contribute to that ‘rooted, built up strengthening’ that is so needed.

Someone quipped, ‘The church is filled with willing people – some willing to work and others willing to let them.’

Would your commitment to Christ be enhanced by joining with others to share in His work?

Pastor Lerud

“So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.” Acts 16:5