The American Express Credit Card, of which I do not have, has the motto “Membership Has It’s Privileges.” My understanding is that having one of their cards and using it regularly has a way of rewarding your life, i.e. accumulating bonus points for shopping, travel, among other things. Simply put life is better knowing you have access to “the right card.”

I pastor a rather small, traditional church where over the past 25 years it has slowly but steadily declined in membership. At one point there were more than 300 in worship with some 400 on the “rolls.” Over the years the membership has slipped to 75 today. The reasons for this will be saved for another discussion besides I cannot take the full blame as I’ve only been here for almost 4 years.

This year I have spent less time focusing on boosting “membership” and more time attending to “the least of these” as Jesus might have said, you know, those who would never darken the door of a church much less join it. And yet, while I sense God’s direction in this I have been questioned as to why I have forsaken the membership focus of the church. My response has been that I feel it more important to reach out in my community relationally rather than manipulating those to join something they are already a part of. Does it really matter? How does “membership” better you other than you get to vote on matters of the church? And why does membership allow voting privileges? What about those who are such an integral part of your ministry yet are not members? And doesn’t “membership” subliminally say that you are now on the inside? “You are privileged! Now get to work!”

I am also told that many years ago the church I now serve used to print up “membership cards” that once you were received into the fellowship you were given a little business card that identified you as a full fledged, card carrying member. I don’t mean to be disrespectful but I find that absolutely amusing. Of course that was a few generations ago. It must have been the thing to do.
So here are the questions that run through my mind:

1. Why does the church insist that membership be part of the culture?
2. Isn’t this the kind of thing that negatively separates us from the world? Who wants to jump through church legalistic hoops to take part in something they are already called to?
3. Can we, from scripture, advocate a membership program in the local church? (Acts 2:47; Rom. 12:5. I only use these references as some use these to defend membership)
4. As pastor, do I have an obligation to play the church game of membership. It’s in the by-laws and am I obligated to abide by those rules?

Just thinking aloud. Thanks for thinking with me.