Why become a member?
While all believers are members of the body of Christ, there is the issue of each believer’s responsibilities to a local church and its authority in their life through that local body as a whole and its selected leadership, as Hebrews 13:7, and 17 teach us, as well as the whole shepherding concept of Acts 28 and the pastoral epistles. In this regard, there are several reasons for membership.
Membership may help to affirm a person’s involvement.
It seems to give people a greater sense of belongingness as well as a greater sense of responsibility. Of course, that should come from their walk with the Savior without any such external demonstration as joining a church. Still, it does seem to validate this in people’s minds.
Membership protects the church in the matter of voting on key issues.
There have even been situations where people who had not been in the church in years (but were still in the membership role) were brought in to stack the deck in favor of a certain position or issue. Most importantly, though, it protects the church against people with unsound doctrinal views or views contrary to a church’s beliefs and Constitution.
Membership can provide a certain amount of protection in legal matters.
Today with lawsuits over so many issues like church discipline, it can provide a safeguard. Normally, by signing a membership application or document, people say they have understood the issues and have submitted themselves to that church, its doctrine, Constitution, By-laws, etc. Membership requirements should revolve around things like a commitment to the church, to its doctrinal beliefs, basic moral issues as clearly outlined in the Word, etc., but should avoid legalistic issues or any coercive elements like promising to give a certain portion of income or avoiding certain taboos. This would entail having a new membership class that all candidates for membership were required to attend before joining. The class should cover the Constitution, but more importantly, the church's basic beliefs, goals, and objectives, and its basic philosophy of ministry.