Why Join a Church?

This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on  Sept 14th  2025 by Colin. For the audio & video please click here.  For the worship please click here. 

Why Join a Church?

In our times, many Christians wrestle with the idea of church membership. Some prefer to float between different congregations, saying they belong to the “universal church.” Others treat online services as their church—just them, their device, and their pyjamas. But what does the Bible say? Is church membership really necessary?

Jesus declared in Matthew 16, “I will build my church.” The church is not an optional extra in the Christian life—it is at the very heart of God’s plan. From the earliest days in Acts 2, new believers were not only baptized but were “added to their number.” Belonging to Christ meant belonging to His people.

Colin highlighted five biblical foundations for local church membership:

1. Accountability in Community (Matthew 18:15–17)

Jesus envisioned real, local communities where conflict could be addressed. Church discipline only makes sense if you know who belongs. Membership is a covenant saying, “I want to walk in holiness, and I give you permission to correct me when I stray.”

2. Pursuing Holiness Together (1 Corinthians 5)

Paul rebuked the Corinthians for tolerating open sin. The church was called to lovingly but firmly remove unrepentant members. Membership means accountability—not to condemn, but to restore and protect the witness of Christ’s body.

3. Following and Supporting Leaders (Hebrews 13:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13)

Believers are called to submit to the leaders God places over them, while leaders are responsible to shepherd and care for those in their flock. Membership creates this mutual trust: leaders know who they are accountable for, and believers know whom to follow.

4. Bought with a Price (Acts 20:28)

Unlike exclusive clubs with steep fees, church membership has no earthly cost. Yet it came at the highest price—the blood of Jesus. To belong to a local church is to honor His sacrifice and live out the reality that we are part of His purchased people.

5. Every Member Has a Role (1 Corinthians 12)

Paul compared the church to a body—many parts, one whole. Just as a hand or heart has no value apart from the body, so no Christian thrives in isolation. Membership is about more than being counted; it’s about being connected, discovering your God-given gifts, and serving the world through the body of Christ.

The Heart of Membership

Church membership isn’t about having your name on a list. It’s about belonging, accountability, and mission. It’s about saying:

• I want to be known.

• I want to be shepherded.

• I want to use my gifts to build up the body.

There are no “lone ranger” Christians in God’s design. Each of us has a part to play. Membership is not optional—it’s the biblical way of living out our faith in Christ together.

Would you like me to also format this into a printable devotional/teaching handout (with scripture references and reflection questions), so you can use it in your mentoring or sessions?

  Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English-speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org.