Must a person formally place membership with a local church before they participate in the work?
Question:
What are your thoughts regarding "placing membership" with a local congregation? I understand the biblical authority for someone working under the oversight of the elders of a congregation. If someone has been attending a congregation regularly for a period of time, can it be assumed they wish to work under the oversight of the elders of that congregation or must they formally "place membership" before they can participate in the work of the local church?
Answer:
Here in La Vista, we always ask if a person wants to be considered a member of the congregation. It avoids difficulties created by assuming. What has always puzzled me are those who wait months to say they want to be a part of the congregation. The Scriptures are clear that all Christians need to be a part of a local fellowship. See: "Christians Without Churches?" and "Do you have to join a church?"
