IS CHURCH MEMBERSHIP BIBLICAL? – CBG

Description

RYAN MCGRAW

Many churches have an official process to join their membership. Is this really a biblical practice? The authors show that the Bible assumes the necessity of formal church membership so that we can fulfill the commands and apply the promises given to the church. Clearly and carefully, and answering contemporary objections along the way, the authors make the biblical case that God desires the members of His heavenly kingdom to join with the earthly society that reflects it—Christ’s body, the church.

Contents

The Foundations of Church Membership: The Church as a Community

The Duty of Church Membership: We Must Join This Community

The Form and Means of Church Membership: Membership Rolls and Membership Vows

Objections to Church Membership

Series Description

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones once said that what the church needs to do most all is “to begin herself to live the Christian life. If she did that, men and women would be crowding into our buildings. They would say, ‘What is the secret of this?’” As Christians, one of our greatest needs is for the Spirit of God to cultivate biblical godliness in us in order to put the beauty of Christ on display through us, all to the glory of the triune God. With this goal in mind, this series of booklets treats matters vital to Christian experience at a basic level. Each booklet addresses a specific question in order to inform the mind, warm the affections, and transform the whole person by the Spirit’s grace, so that the church may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

Endorsement  

“As a pastor, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this small book by McGraw and Speck. It is a perfect primer to give to people who are considering membership in a church as well as those who are already members but need further instruction regarding the nature of church membership.” — Mark Jones, minister of Faith Vancouver Presbyterian Church (PCA), Canada

About the Authors

RYAN M. MCGRAW is pastor of First Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Sunnyvale, California; research  associate, University of the Free State; and adjunct professor of systematic theology, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.

RYAN SPECK received his MDiv from Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He is pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Columbia, Missouri. He is blessed to be married to Carolina and to be the father of five daughters.