Church Membership Requirements?

[Boidae21]

I have been looking for a new church to attend because of my work schedule and since the church I attend now with their service being a little later in the morning on Sunday it conflicts with my work schedule. So church shopping I go.

The one church that I was looking at seemed good until it mentioned church membership requirements. On the same page it mentions funding the ministries of the church. I know that churches need money in order to continue to provide what they provide, however I am not a believer in a "requirement" to "tithe" or offer money. I believe in a basket at the back and people give as they feel led.

Should there be a requirement to fund church ministries or should it be based on a give as you feel led system?

I am going to skip this church (for the above reason) and hope I can find one that has an earlier service time that I think I would feel comfortable at such as this one so that it doesn't conflict with my work schedule.

**I do not currently tithe as I do not have the money to tithe. I give an offering when I can.

**I do not want this to turn into a you must tithe thread and the myriad of reasons why. That is not the intention of this thread. I am asking if there should be a requirement to tithe/give offerings in order to be a member. Nothing more.

 

[JohnDB]

Well I tend to agree with you.
The churches I know...most of them are really luxurious by far comparison of congregations outside of America.

So where I do give back to God more than 10% my church really doesn't like me because they don't see much of my giving at all. For this cause they try to keep me from "helping" in certain areas. (Don't want my passions from becoming instilled into others)

I really don't care. It's not my concern it is their sin.

So I can understand your reluctance to join this congregation in your neighborhood. Sometimes though the other congregations are worse in what they promote and teach.

Every believer is a giver. There is no greater torture for a believer than to be in a position where they are prevented from giving. It's a part of our identity. But when giving becomes a mandatory obligation it isn't giving now is it?

However in the language you are reciting from their paperwork it is an emulation from Saddleback Church in California. Rick Warren's Church...
Yeah...I know...

But it's been popular and now in disfavor. (Never one of my favorites)
The church in question might be interested in repealing this requirement from their new member initiation.

 

[Malachi]

Should there be a requirement to fund church ministries or should it be based on a give as you feel led system?

There is no scriptural basis for this. The New Testament teaches Christian liberality, but "not of necessity".

 

[Corn Pop]

I believe in the early Church way where believers just had fellowship. With whoever, whenever, and many many home groups. They never all went at the same time to one place.

Some say they did have Churches back then, but I disagree because it would have been to dangerous to even attempt to build a church building.

The church is people within a community.

 

[RevSRE]

I have been looking for a new church to attend because of my work schedule

I think this SHOULD be simple. THE LOCAL group may have whatever "rules: they Feel are in their best interest. Many Churches have rules that are theirs not Bible. We must find a group where we can fit In.

The Body of CHRIST is another matter, Believe Jesus is the son of GOD, and that God raised Him from the Dead, and KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS. There is no tithe of 10% in the New Testament, Paul, James, Peter, John refer to a bondslave, I owe Him MY ALL
I am bought with a price, I belong to the master all of me and what I have, a steward of what HE gave me.

 

[Corn Pop]

I believe there is no fellowship at a church because all people do is sit there staring at a stage show for an hour then go home. I bet hardly anyone at a Church knows the name of the person sitting next to them.

And if there is fellowship, they might have a cup of tea and scone together for 5 mins after church.

 

[Boidae21]

I think this SHOULD be simple. THE LOCAL group may have whatever "rules: they Feel are in their best interest. Many Churches have rules that are theirs not Bible. We must find a group where we can fit In.

Can you detail the above a bit more for me?

 

[Boidae21]

I believe there is no fellowship at a church because all people do is sit there staring at a stage show for an hour then go home. I bet hardly anyone at a Church knows the name of the person sitting next to them.

And if there is fellowship, they might have a cup of tea and scone together for 5 mins after church.

The church that I was looking at has more fellowship than the church where I was going.

Where I was going didn't have small groups, but the one I was looking at did. The small groups allowed you to congregate with others outside of the service and provided accountability. It's a non-denominational church. The church where I was going was a Lutheran church with no small groups and no accountability that I could see.

With that said, I do enjoy the Lutheran service and the way they explain the Law and the grace that covers the law (paraphrasing). I also liked the service because I grew up Catholic and the service feels comfortable and normal to me.

 

[reba]

Seems to me one can go to church and not be a member.. IF you agree to the membership rules then you should abide by them.. If you dont agree go any way.

I believe there are more important things a 'church' has to say then about tithe or offerings

 

[Boidae21]

Seems to me one can go to church and not be a member.. IF you agree to the membership rules then you should abide by them.. If you dont agree go any way.

I believe there are more important things a 'church' has to say then about tithe or offerings

I do not think that they allow you to necessarily go and not become a member.

Here is the "Become a Member" explanation from their page.

"WHY MEMBERSHIP?


Because membership matters! At Heartland we believe that church membership is synonymous with involvement. Whether you're new to the faith or have followed Christ for years, gathering with other believers and serving in ministry are critical parts of a vibrant, healthy relationship with Christ. Being a part of our church family means partnering with us in creating, leading and funding the ministries of the church.

The perfect place to start this process is at one of our monthly Connection Point membership events. At this event you'll hear all about the history and mission of Heartland Church, the requirements for becoming a member, how to connect with a small group, as well as how you can find your perfect fit on one of our many ministry teams. Connection Point happens one Sunday of each month in the Connection Room. We will serve you a great lunch and even provide care for your children!"

My wife still attends the church where we went as a family along with the kids. I no longer go there though. There, they too have membership and classes to become a member, but there is no requirement to become one.

** I no longer go to that church to keep the peace with my parents while I live with them.

 

[Corn Pop]

I believe every sign up membership church is married to the state for tax exempt reasons and other business type paper work.

 

[reba]

Oboy guess i am getting very old... I would not become a member of that church...

 

[Boidae21]

I believe every sign up membership church is married to the state for tax exempt reasons and other business type paper work.

I have no problem with churches getting tax exempt status. I understand that others do, but I do not. Not looking to get into a discussion of that as well.

 

[RevSRE]

Can you detail the above a bit more for me?

Some have rules that you MUST follow.
Worship on Saturday.
Our DOCTRINE is the only way.
Our Bible translation is the only one.
Sprinkled or submersed in Baptism.
You may NOT work on Sunday ( I went to one for a while).
Social Gospel in as important as the Scripture.
The list could go on and on. From your understanding of the Bible FIND A PLACE WHERE YOU FIT IN.

 

[Corn Pop]

I see the Kingdom of God advancing, hold on, no, its just Joel and his familys huge empire estate with not another christian to be seen.

 

[Boidae21]

Some have rules that you MUST follow.
Worship on Saturday.
Our DOCTRINE is the only way.
Our Bible translation is the only one.
Sprinkled or submersed in Baptism.
You may NOT work on Sunday ( I went to one for a while).
Social Gospel in as important as the Scripture.
The list could go on and on. From your understanding of the Bible FIND A PLACE WHERE YOU FIT IN.

Been looking for that going on seven years. Still haven't found it and I have pretty much run out of churches in a 20 mile radius.

The closest I have come is a Lutheran church and that is the church who's service is now conflicting with my work schedule. I cannot change my work schedule as it's what works best for me having my kids for visitation.

 

[Boidae21]

I see the Kingdom of God advancing, hold on, no, its just Joel and his familys huge empire estate with not another christian to be seen.

Any chance we can leave the jabs at other Pastors out of the discussion, please?

 

[RevSRE]

Been looking for that going on seven years. Still haven't found it and I have pretty much run out of churches in a 20 mile radius.

The closest I have come is a Lutheran church and that is the church who's service is now conflicting with my work schedule. I cannot change my work schedule as it's what works best for me having my kids for visitation.

When I was in College, Dr. Johnson said " If you find the perfect DO NOT JOIN IT!!".
I have been looking for a working outgoing friendly BIBLE BELIEVING church for a long time.
IF YOU FIND ONE YOU HAVE A SPECIAL BLESSING.

 

[Corn Pop]

Any chance we can leave the jabs at other Pastors out of the discussion, please?

Sure, since you asked so politely.

 

[Boidae21]

Thats it. You see, everyone is looking for comfort where the only comfort is Christ. If someone seeks a church they feel comfortable in, its only to suit there own itching ears and preference so may very well be easily lead off path. The seek should be who preaches the truth and Gospel even if it is in a cold run down shed and not a luxury air conditioned room.

The truth hurts and life is not easy.

The only house church near me is over fifty miles away.

Most churches around here are Pentecostal or Pentecostal like. The next in line are Baptist churches with their own requirements and then non-Denominational churches which are Baptist light. The rest are a smattering of Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist and Presbyterian churches and everything in between.

Everyone claims to preach the truth and the Gospel, most are close, but there are subtle differences. I have yet to find any church that preaches the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, but then that is left up to your interpretation of scripture that you read as well. My interpretation and your interpretation can be two different things on the same scripture and both of us can claim that it was the the Holy Spirit who showed us the truth that we have come to.

So I guess it's all relative, but then we know why there are so many denominations and non-denominations.