Getting Church Membership Right

Introduction: A Tale of Two Memberships

Good morning,

Let’s begin today by journeying back nearly two thousand years to a vibrant, complicated city—a city named Corinth. The church at Corinth was buzzing with activity. It was growing. It was diverse. But it was also, sadly, divided. Groups were forming around different leaders. Some said, “I follow Paul,” others, “I’m with Apollos.” Some touted their loyalty to Peter, while others claimed, “Well, I just follow Christ!” Factions and cliques developed, and the church splintered into pieces.

Does this sound familiar? How easy it is—even now—for us to let our differences divide us. This morning, I want us to examine what the Bible says about true church membership, and to challenge ourselves: Are we living as biblical members of Christ’s body, or have we become “country club” Christians?

I. The Corinthian Diagnosis: Carnality and Division

Why did this division happen? Scripture says the Corinthians were unable to break completely from their surrounding Greek culture. They brought their old attitudes and selfishness into their new life in Christ. They were gifted, but immature. They had the Spirit, but were still worldly. After Apollos—a brilliant, eloquent Jewish convert from Alexandria—ministered there, some began to form little cliques, following their favorite leader and avoiding others.

Paul, seeking the unity of the church, wrote a powerful letter to confront this problem. He urged them not to merely break ties with the world’s values, but even, when necessary, to separate from church members who clung to sin and would not repent.

Application:

Let’s pause and reflect: Is our church divided, even in subtle ways? Are members clinging to preferences and personalities more than to Jesus Himself?

II. The Body Analogy: Unity in Diversity

In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul uses a vivid illustration—the human body. Listen to these words:

“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12:12)

Consider your own body. Every part is unique, but every part is essential. If one part suffers, the whole body suffers. If your foot is injured, you limp. If your eye is strained, your whole sense of clarity is affected.

Paul teaches that the church is just like this! We are baptized by one Spirit into one body, whether Jew or Greek, slave or free. We don’t lose our individual identities, but as Christ’s people, we receive a new, overarching unity. We are family, not by our choice, but by God’s Spirit.

But, just like Corinth, our differences can quickly become excuses for division:

“They’re not my style…”

“Their gifts aren’t as important as mine…”

“I wish I had their position, their influence…”

Illustration:

I once heard it said, “The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you.’” Imagine a body walking around with the hands tied behind its back! How effective would that be?

In God’s church, some are hands—serving, building, helping. Some are eyes—discerning, guiding. Others are the feet—going into the world with the gospel. Some are ears—listening, counseling, encouraging. Every role matters!

III. The Crisis of Modern Church Membership

Let’s shift to today. Studies by Thom Rainer, in his book "I Am a Church Member," reveal a crisis in American churches:

Nine out of ten churches are declining or growing slower than their communities.

Only 15% of Millennials, the largest American generation, identify as Christian.

The next generation is even less reached.

Why? We often blame the culture, the media, politics, secularism, or even pastors and hypocritical church members. There’s truth in those concerns. But could it be church, that the real issue lies within us—within our own hearts and attitudes about membership?

Have we misunderstood what it means to be part of Christ’s body?

IV. Redefining Membership: Not a Country Club, But a Commitment

Too many Christians approach church like a country club. You pay your dues, you get your perks, and others do the heavy lifting. But biblical membership is not about privileges—it’s about participation.

Paul writes:

“Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.” (1 Corinthians 12:27–28)

Each of us has a calling. None of us are spectators. If you are a toe, be a healthy toe! If you are a hand, serve with diligence! When one part is weak, the whole body is weaker. When every part functions as God intended, the body is strong.

Country Club vs. Church:

As Rainer expresses in his book, in a country club, you’re served. In a church, you serve others. In a country club, membership means you “belong” for leisure. In a church, membership means you belong for service, for sacrifice, for ministry.