MCBC Membership Guidelines

Why Does MCBC Value Membership?

While being a Christian unites us with the worldwide fellowship of the universal church, it’s crucial to unite with a local body of believers to practically live out our faith. We don’t merely attend services as passive observers; we joyfully pledge ourselves to others. The process of becoming a member is significant because it allows the pastor and leaders to know who is under their care.

How Do I Become a Member?

  • Discuss your interest in joining MCBC with the pastor or church leaders. 
  • Fill out a new member application.
  • Attend a membership class. 
  • Your membership will be presented to the church for a vote for fellowship.
  • The right hand of church fellowship will be given after worship service with a fellowship welcome lunch.

Why Be a Member of a Church?

This is a valid question. While some argue that there’s no direct membership process mentioned in the New Testament, we can observe the pattern of Christian care, discipline, and teaching in the New Testament churches. Although the process may not be explicitly outlined, it serves as a model for how we can live out our faith in a community. 

When a person is saved, they become a member of the body of Christ, cf. 1 Corinthians 12:13. To be a member of a local body is to formally commit oneself to an identifiable local body of believers who have committed to being faithful to the mission of the church, cf. Matthew 28:18-20. 

To become a member of a church is to formally commit oneself to an identifiable, local body of believers who have joined together for specific, divinely ordained purposes. These purposes include: 

  • Receiving instruction from God’s Word, cf. 1 Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 4:2 
  • Serving and edifying one another through the proper use of spiritual gifts, cf. Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-31; 1 Peter 4:10-11
  • Participating in the ordinances, cf. Luke 22:19; Acts 2:38-42 
  • Proclaiming the gospel to those who are lost, cf. Matthew 28:18-20

What Scripture Gives Credence to Church Membership?

The example of the early church when people repented and believed they were added to the church, cf. Acts 2:41, 47; 5:14, uses the words “added” and that can be assumed a list was kept. 1 Timothy 5:9 suggests a list was kept for widows eligible for financial support. Acts 18:27; Romans 16:1; Colossians 4:10 all suggest a letter was sent when believers left and went to another city and joined a fellowship. 

Scripture also provides reason where local leaders watch over and care for those in the church. It would stand to reason you would have a list of those under the elders’ care, cf. Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; 1 Timothy 5:17; Hebrews 13:17. Elders (pastors) in the church are responsible for the well-being (spiritual) of the flock. They provide oversight and care. And believers are to submit to their care and shepherding. If you don’t have a list or membership then how can this be done?

Conclusion

Living out a commitment to a local church involves many responsibilities: exemplifying a godly lifestyle in the community, exercising one’s spiritual gifts in diligent service, contributing financially to the work of the ministry, giving and receiving admonishment with meekness and in love, and faithfully participating in corporate worship. Much is expected, but much is at stake. For only when every believer is faithful to this kind of commitment is the church able to live up to her calling as Christ’s representative here on earth. To put it simply, membership matters.