Posts Tagged ‘membership’
I Don’t Go to Church
by Dan Chaney “I’m a Christian, I just don’t go to church.” Maybe you’ve been burned by religious people. Maybe you have social setting anxiety. Maybe you just prefer other recreational activities on Sunday. Individual motivations really aren’t the focus of this post. “I’m a Christian but I don’t go to church” sounds reasonable, possibly…
Read MoreThey Went Out from Us
by Terry Wane Benton Sometimes it is a hidden blessing to the local church when we lose some people and numbers. John spoke of some who ceased in heart to be “of us” (I John 2:18f). They “went out” because, in heart, they had been secretly drifting away from the truth being preached and could…
Read MoreWorking Behind the Scenes
by Bill Fairchild, Jr. “I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience …” (Revelation 2:2). It is said of the early Christians that each determined to do his part in Acts 11:29-30 “…which also they did.” I was engaged in a gospel meeting and had arrived at the building earlier than expected which…
Read MoreCan a Good Man Be Saved Outside the Church?
by N. B. Hardeman Excerpts from “The Church- Its Unity,” Hardeman’s Tabernacle Sermons, Volume 2 I regret that there is such a teaching abroad as this – for instance, that a man does not have to become a member of the church in order to be saved; that there are just as good people outside…
Read MoreWhich congregation should I have my membership at?
Question: Hello Jeffrey, Thank you for your excellent work on the La Vista Church of Christ website. Over the years, I have learned very much from your sermons and the question-and-answer section posed there. I am writing because an elder asked me to choose to be a member of the congregation that meets where is…
Read MoreHow to Find a Church
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/How-to-Find-a-Church.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreLetters of Commendation
by Terry Wane Benton The question is not about coming to Christ and being added to His one universal body. The Lord adds to that church (Acts 2:47). But, the Lord does not add us to a particular local congregation. We have to “join” those local disciples (Acts 9:26). There must be intent and desire…
Read MoreIs the Church Important?
by Jefferson David Tant Is God’s church important? Does it have any significant place in our lives, or is it just something concerning which we have a choice — to be a part of it, or do our own thing? It is pretty obvious that many in the “Christian” world today see no real value…
Read MoreThe Importance of One Another
by Doy Moyer Christians share together a bond in Christ. We often stress the need for personal responsibility and individual accountability, yet we should also see that Christianity is built upon a “one another” model. God did not intend for us to walk alone in our journey of serving the Lord. This is demonstrated through…
Read MoreWhen is it permissible to change congregations locally?
Question: Dear Brother, I’ll get right to the point with my question, and then some brief context. When is it permissible scripturally for a member and or their family to switch local congregations? The context We live in a town with several [perceived] biblically sound congregations, of which my family and I are a part…
Read MorePlacing Membership
by Lee Moses Sometimes questions arise as to whether it is scripturally necessary, or even scripturally permissible, to “place membership” with a congregation. A modern brother or sister may raise the objection: “I’m a member of the church of Christ, and that’s good enough for me.” What this person means is: “I am a member…
Read MoreA Gouge in a Pew
by Matthew W. Bassford A couple of weeks ago, I attended a friend’s funeral in an unfamiliar church building. I took a seat by an aisle and shortly noticed a gouge in the back of the pew support in front of me. The gouge was at knee height. To the left/exterior, it was narrow and…
Read MoreWhat Are You Doing for the Lord’s Church?
by Terry Wane Benton It is not what the church is doing for you, but rather, what are you doing for the Lord’s church? Jesus died and spilled His blood for the church. She is His bride, and she is special, purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28). He expects us to keep her pure,…
Read MoreWhere does the Bible teach that not belonging to a congregation is a sin?
Question: Hello, I came across your question/answer page online. My question is, where does the Word of God teach that not belonging to a congregation is an unforgivable sin and one will go to hell for not belonging to a congregation? I’ve heard Church of Christ preachers speak as though one will go to hell…
Read MoreHow do I deal with a member who is in an adulterous marriage?
Question: I have a question that requires me to go outside of the current congregation where I am a member. If there is a member who is in an unscriptural marriage, which I do have personal knowledge of, and who is being allowed to preach and teach in worship service, should I remain a member…
Read MoreWhat If You Knew My Past?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/What-If-You-Knew-My-Past.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreWhat If the Lord’s Church Was up to You?
by Terry Wane Benton What if a local church of Christ in your area was totally up to you? What if the Lord was counting on you to make sure there is a sound, biblical and encouraging church that existed and continued to hold up the truth of the gospel? If it weakens or dies,…
Read MoreFeeling Wanted and Needed
by Terry Wane Benton We were very young (24) when we first started preaching full time or “living of the gospel” (I Corinthians 9:7-14). God providentially put us in the right place (Berney Points in Birmingham, AL) for this early training ground. We needed to feel wanted and needed in this first attempt, and the…
Read MoreU.S. Church Membership Declines to Under 50%
Source: Jeffrey M. Jones, “U.S. Church Membership Falls Below Majority for First Time,” Gallup News, 29 March 2021. “47% of Americans said they belonged to a church, synagogue or mosque, down from 50% in 2018 and 70% in 1999.” “The decline in church membership is primarily a function of the increasing number of Americans who express no…
Read MoreCan a congregation restore a person who was disfellowshipped by another congregation?
Question: Can a congregation restore a person who was disfellowshipped by another congregation? Answer: Members of a congregation withdraw their fellowship of someone in their midst who is living a sinful life. See Withdraw Yourselves for details. Membership in a congregation and the fellowship that ensues is done on a local level. No one can remove…
Read MoreI’ve been thinking about switching congregations but don’t know if it is a good idea
Question: Hey, I have a question. I’ve been thinking of switching congregations. My reasons for wanting to leave are: My wife mentioned to me, she isn’t learning there anymore. I haven’t been learning there for the past year in a half, but I do a lot of studying on my own. I also listen to lots…
Read MoreTwo Ways to Keep Members Faithful
by Bill Hall There are two ways to keep members of the church “faithful.” The first way is to be sure everyone is involved. Have a project for each member, and make sure that he feels important in his role. Praise him for the good job he is doing. Make him feel needed; make him…
Read MoreIs it scriptural to “join” a church?
Question: I have a question about joining a church. I’m a bit at a loss to know how to go forward. This is all rather new to me as my family left “going to church” decades ago and have since worshiped with other Christians in homes or fellowships. One of the church leaders asked me…
Read MoreIsn’t a baptized person a member of the local congregation?
Question: I am a bit confused. My understanding has always been that if an individual were visiting us, and they obeyed the gospel while here, I would direct them to a sound church in their area. They would not be a member of the local church here, although they obeyed the gospel here. If I…
Read MoreIf someone attends, but hasn’t become a member, and then stops coming, should you withdraw from him?
Question: Someone begins attending a congregation but does not ask to be a member there. He starts forsaking the assembly. Can you withdraw from him? He was baptized. Answer: Before I answer the question, I want to note that some congregations add people to their membership simply because they keep attending services at the local…
Read MoreWould it be a sin to leave a congregation that accepts sin among its members?
Question: I worship at a congregation where there is no preacher, elder, or deacons. The brothers serving on the Lord’s table are living with girlfriends, playing the lottery, and drinking. I’m a sister in the congregation. I’m trying to go to heaven. I can’t worship properly with all this before me. Is it a sin…
Read MoreWhat do you do if you can’t worship with faithful brethren?
Question: I’ve read everything I could find on your page concerning worship alone. I know already that communion and singing are out of the question. So where does that leave someone who is in prison for life or far away from anyone or group that teaches and holds to sound doctrine? I’m sure you could…
Read MoreCan’t I just worship with different congregations each Sunday?
Question: Good evening Minister, I have been a member of the Lord’s church for over five years. I’ve been a faithful member; however, I had some concerns about some things that were going on in worship. I left my home-based church where I felt like I was ostracized because I’m a single woman. I began…
Read MoreDo I Owe Anything to the Church?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/DoIOweAnythingToTheChurch.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreShould I leave an ineffective, discouraging church?
Question: I was looking through your website and found someone asked questions similar to questions I had at this page: When should I leave a church? But I’m not sure you fully answered some of the questions, so I still wanted to ask them again. If there are multiple sound congregations nearby, must I worship with…
Read MoreHow do I handle my contributions when I rotate between three congregations?
Question: Greetings, I have a question regarding the weekly contribution (I Corinthians 16:1-2). In my city, there are three local churches of Christ that I attend regularly. Normally I’ll attend one on a certain week, the next on the following week, and the third the week after that. And then I repeat the whole process.…
Read MoreEvery Member Working Together
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/2015Fall3EveryMemberWorkingTogether.mp3 by Brace Rutledge 2015 Fall Meeting
Read MoreMy mother and I are arguing over which church to attend
Question: I tried searching for advice, and I found this. I have a lot of stuff going on in my life right now. My parents are separated. My dad, who was a preacher, no longer really believes in God. My brother has fallen back into the world. My mom wants to go to a different…
Read MoreShould we leave our current church because of unbiblical practices?
Question: I am currently attending a church of Christ where I was baptized and continue to worship. I have been studying the Bible through your very informative website and have realized that a lot of things taught on your site are not practiced in our congregation, which has made me a bit worried as I…
Read MoreShould I change congregations?
Question: Hi Jeffrey, I am sorry I trouble you with so many questions. It’s not that I am not well studied, I just seem to find myself in situations where I question the actions of others, and I am not sure if I am handling it the way God would have me handle it. I…
Read MoreI left the church because I don’t think my baptism was right, but now my dad won’t have fellowship with me. What do I do?
Question: Hello, I am in need of some answers. I was raised in the church of Christ. My father quit the church when I was about two years old, but my mother continued to take me. When I was 12 my father returned and repented and is now a member once again. My father has…
Read MoreIs it bad that most members in our church were raised in the church?
Question: Dear Mr. Hamilton, I’ve been emphasizing how important truth is in the Bible to one of my friends. She has been very receptive to the truths I’ve shown her in God’s Word. I’ve taken her to the church I attend and she enjoys it but she says it’s not her thing. Now I tell…
Read MoreJust a Church?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2014Spring5JustAChurch-1.mp3 by Brian Faulkner On Being a Christian
Read MoreWhy Do Some Depart?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/WhyDoSomeDepart.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 13:18-23 I. When teaching someone about the gospel, it is hard not to invest a bit of yourself into the one you are trying to reach. A. You know the importance of being a Christian, and you care about the one you are teaching. If not, why spend the…
Read MoreMy “Church” Membership
by Edward O. Bragwell, Sr. I am not a member of a denomination called “Church of Christ” or “Churches of Christ” or a denomination with any other name. The local church where I regularly attend is not a congregation of the “Church of Christ” denomination. Yet, I have been a member of the church of…
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