tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116001294374141207.post9043748751418610060..comments2024-01-27T07:17:04.441-06:00Comments on PJ's Prayer Line: "WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A MEMBER"PJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02807442587587976098noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116001294374141207.post-57146549464558502772011-05-31T08:29:56.583-05:002011-05-31T08:29:56.583-05:00You bring out a great point. How we feel about me...You bring out a great point. How we feel about membership depends on what we're becoming a member of. Is it a local church body, or the Body of Christ?<br /><br />As someone who teaches and coaches around spiritual gifts, I encourage people to use these gifts in the ministries of their local congregation. The rules around that would of course depend on the church. Some churches require membership to serve, and others don't.<br /><br />My thing is, I want believers to have a sense of both liberty and responsibility. I would hope that people choose to join churches because they want to commit to serving and regular attendance, not because they feel they have to do so. I also hope that people don't choose to "church hop" because they're avoiding commitments that come with membership such as serving in ministry, tithing, and spiritual growth accountability.<br /><br />Thanks for the post!Foundational Gifts LLChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16837787229254358807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116001294374141207.post-23239846744564021302011-05-30T15:34:24.593-05:002011-05-30T15:34:24.593-05:00Christie's comment tickles me, as I attended a...Christie's comment tickles me, as I attended a church for a great chunk of my life but wasn't confirmed as a member. I'll never forget the pastor's reaction when I said it in front of the congregation one Sunday, lol!<br /><br />Great outlook PJ, I'm glad I get to share this topic with you.<br /><br />~ AshleyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116001294374141207.post-76532861674623508512011-05-28T15:19:31.706-05:002011-05-28T15:19:31.706-05:00Dear PJ,
I also have mixed feelings on this subjec...Dear PJ,<br />I also have mixed feelings on this subject, but I've recently made the decision to join a local church after 20 years of being a "visitor" of the last 2 churches we served at. Our current church has a prerequisite of church membership before serving in a ministry. I first I balked at this, then I considered that if I really wanted to serve God at this fellowship I would have to submit to the "rules". <br />Also, church membership is a public declaration to the local body, “I’m here to support and serve with you”. I came to the conclusion that not joining at church was similar to living together without the commitment of marriage. When a couple is cohabiting it looks the same as marriage, but no one knows the level of your commitment without the marriage ceremony. <br /><br />Just a few thoughts…<br /><br />http://www.bigsis-littlesis.com/True Seekerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03655921967441967121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116001294374141207.post-48432801181628178142011-05-28T09:03:44.720-05:002011-05-28T09:03:44.720-05:00I totally agree with your post. I am a church memb...I totally agree with your post. I am a church member and on the Administrative Board. I told them at a recent meeting that I should have worn a shirt that said "just visiting!" LOL<br /><br />My church is small. Almost everyone is on a committee and always busy.<br /><br />The irony is that I visited this church for 16+ years before they realized that I had never become a member! LOL<br /><br />Have a wonderful weekend!<br /><br /><><Christie Cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07304688541769492212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-116001294374141207.post-4136221172636915212011-05-28T08:44:19.358-05:002011-05-28T08:44:19.358-05:00Great Post, PJ!!
I agree with you.
God bless you, ...Great Post, PJ!!<br />I agree with you.<br />God bless you, PJ!!<br />Thank you for sharing your love and wisdom with the world!!<br />Blessings,<br />Poet Starry.Starry Dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15800474511554103707noreply@blogger.com