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.
V. The Heart of Membership—Love That Never Ends
But how do we live out this membership? What attitude should guide us? Paul answers in one of the most beautiful passages in all of Scripture—1 Corinthians 13, the love chapter:
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way…” (1 Corinthians 13:4–5)
Imagine what would happen if every church member lived like this:
Not insisting on their own way, but seeking the good of others…
Not envying, not boasting, but rejoicing in each other’s gifts…
Bearing with the unlovable, praying for leaders, serving faithfully even if no one else does…
Paul says, “Love never ends.” This kind of love is the glue that holds the body together!
Practical Steps:
Love the church member who annoys you.
Pray for your pastors, especially when you disagree with them.
Serve with gladness, not only when it’s convenient or popular.
VI. The Call: What Kind of Member Will You Be?
Let me ask: What kind of church member are you? Not—how often do you attend. Not—how much do you give. But:
Are you using your gifts for the good of the body?
Are you rejoicing in the gifts of others?
Are you giving of yourself and your resources joyfully, without strings?
Are you loving, serving, and building up the church as Christ intended?
You can be on the rolls and never show up, never give, never serve. Many are “Christmas and Easter Only” Christians—CEOs, as some say. But biblical membership is functional, active, giving.
If all of us committed to this kind of love and service, imagine the difference in our church, our community, our world!
Conclusion & Invitation
Friends, the church is not perfect. No family is. But God has placed us here—each of us—as essential parts of His body. It’s time to move from entitlement to engagement. From being served to serving. From division to unity in Christ.
Pray with me:
Father, thank You for making us one body in Christ. Forgive us for every way we have divided, envied, or neglected our call as members. Fill us with Your Spirit. Teach us to love as Christ loved. Show us who needs our encouragement, our service, our prayers. Make this body strong and healthy, for Your glory. Amen.
Reflection and Challenge for the Week:
Identify one “body part” function you will commit to strengthening this week—prayer, serving, encouraging, giving, or forgiving. Take a step to love someone in the church who is different from you.
What kind of member will you be? May we all strive to be biblical, loving, and active members of Christ’s glorious body!
