Why Church Membership?
If you are a Christian, you probably know you should go to church. After all, the first Christians were devoted to getting together (Acts 2:42), and the book of Hebrews actually tells us plainly that we are not to be “neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Heb. 10:25). We are supposed to go to church. But join one... where is that in the Bible?
Well, the honest answer is that church membership is nowhere commanded, but everywhere implied. In fact, several New Testament commands can’t be obeyed unless you join a church.
You can't obey your leaders.
The New Testament letter to the Hebrews says, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you” (Heb 13:17). If you don’t join a church, how do you know who your leaders are? Are they the leaders of the churches nearest to your house? Are they the leaders of the last church you attended? Apparently, Jesus thinks you should obey a group of leaders, and you are supposed to know who they are. Do you?
Not only that, but apparently a group of leaders is supposed to be watching over your soul. A particular group of leaders is supposed to be getting great joy from your life? Which leaders are those? You might watch a TV preacher, but he cannot faithfully “watch over” you. The Bible encourages you to be in a relationship with one local church, where you know the leaders and they know you. That can’t happen unless you commit to a local church.
You can't be held accountable by a congregation.
Now you might be thinking, "Who wants to be held accountable by a congregation?" Well you should, because that is what Jesus desires for you. In Matthew 18, Jesus gives us a look at what church life should look like, and one of the things he shows us is that it is characterized by loving accountability. He tells us that when someone sins against us, we should confront them in love. When they keep sinning, we should keep pursuing. And when they refuse to listen, he says, “tell it to the church” (Matt. 18:17).
In our individualistic age, that may initially sound terrible. However, when you have come to see how prone you are to wander from Jesus, it is a wonderful gift to have a church that would lovingly come after you. If you ever wandered from the Lord, which church would care for your soul? If you ever had to pursue another Christian, which church would you eventually tell? If you can’t answer these questions, you need to join a church.
You can't experience a lot of the New Testament's love and joy.
The Christian life is not a life of mere acquaintances—it is a life of living like a family in the context of a local church. The Christian life is a life of joyful love. It is a life of learning to walk like Jesus in “all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:2–3). Who have you agreed to bear with, even when they are struggling with sin? Who has agreed to bear with you in all of your struggles? If you can’t answer that, you need to join a church.
Who Can Join Cornerstone?
Anyone can! Following him, we invite all people to join this church who share a common life, a common doctrine, and a common commitment. What does that mean? It means that all members of Cornerstone have experienced new life in Christ, evidenced through water baptism. We have seen that without him, we are sinners, and with him, we are forgiven sinners who have been given new hearts to love him.
It also means that all of our members have a common doctrine. We can’t all express it perfectly, but we share a common faith based on the Bible. You can learn more about what we believe by reviewing our Doctrinal Statement. Finally, we all have a common commitment. We are committed to obeying Jesus through the life of this local church as his obedient disciples. Does that describe you? If so, we would love to have you join us!
1. Fill out a membership application.
Complete the online membership application (hard copies are available at the Welcome Counter).
2. Read our church's doctrinal statement and Confession of Faith
We encourage everyone to familiarize themselves with our Confession of Faith so that they are on the same page with us regarding the essentials of the Christian faith and our doctrinal distinctives.
3. Meet with a pastor.
Once you've submitted your application and read our doctrinal beliefs, our Administrative Assistant will send you a link to set up the "in-person" portion of this process, where you'll sit with one of our pastors. There, we'll discuss our doctrine, the "why?" of membership, and the Church Covenant.
4. Be welcomed in.
After fulfilling the three steps above, we'll announce your name to the congregation for four consecutive Sundays. On the fourth Sunday, we will welcome you in as you make vows before the congregation and as they make vows to you. We call it our "Church Covenant" (See our covenant below).*
Church Covenant
Trusting alone in the merits of Jesus Christ for our salvation, relying fully upon His Spirit alongside our brothers and sisters, we will seek to…
Gather each Lord’s Day at the times appointed for worship through prayer, teaching and preaching from the Scriptures, and the observance of the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
Give (as we are able) to financially support the ministries of this church.
Promote unity and peace in the body of Christ through guarding the gospel, avoiding division, humbly admitting wrongdoing, maintaining honesty, and forgiving others when they sin against us.
Submit to qualified God-appointed leadership as they submit to Christ and His Word
Lead a godly life alongside other Christians, seeking to practice and cultivate godliness by being set apart from the world, loving our families, evangelizing the lost, and upholding Christian morality.
Attend, participate in, and vote during church business meetings, except for non-adult members (Acts 2:41; 4:4; 5:12-14; 6:11-16; 1 Cor. 1:2; 5:4-7);
Labor to extend God’s Kingdom in ministries of the church as one’s gifts, graces, maturity, and calling make appropriate (Rom. 12:3-21; Eph. 4:7; 11-12; 16; 1 Pet. 4:10-11);
Receive the committed oversight and care of the elders of the church (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:1-3);
Receive of the committed care and discipline of the membership of the church (Acts 2:41; 5:13-14; 6:1-2;9:26;1 Cor. 1:2; 5:4-5; Gal. 6:10
Although we will not fulfill this commitment perfectly, we pray for the Helper, the Holy Spirit, to graciously empower us. Amen.
*Much of the language of this explanation was adapted and modified from the website of Immanuel Baptist Church (Louisville, KY).