A few Sundays ago, as Ashley and I came forward to join the church (we thought we already had!), I mentioned in passing that the New Testament has no category for a follower of Christ who is not a committed member of a local church, granted one is accessible. While we are in our “Laboring Together” series, it seems appropriate to further elaborate upon that point.

One helpful exercise is to look at every occurrence of the word “church” throughout the New Testament and to notice how often it undeniably refers to a local group of Christians who have partnered together to fulfill the great commission (i.e. a local church). Nearly every New Testament letter, including the seven letters to the churches in Revelation 2–3, are written to local churches operating under the leadership of pastors/elders.

Many of the commands in the New Testament simply assume that every Christian will be a member of a local church. For example, the commands to not neglect to gather together regularly (Heb 10:25), to partake of the Lord’s Supper together (1 Cor 11), to appoint pastors/elders and deacons (1 Tim 3; Titus 1; Acts 14:23), to submit to our leaders (Heb 13:17), and to speak the truth in love as we help hold each other accountable to our profession of faith in Christ (Matt 18:17; 1 Cor 5:4).

In short, God’s design for the ordinances, offices, and “one-another’s” of the Christian life are built on the commitments we call “membership”.

In this Thanksgiving season, let us give thank for God’s good gift of local churches, and especially for the gift we are to one another. May RHCC truly be:

• A people, not a place.
• A family, not an organization.
• A mission, not a social club.

Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together! (Psalm 34:3)

Blessings in Christ,

Pastor Evan