Is Church Membership Important?  The following are excerpts from an article written by Dr. Chuck Lawless, dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions. 

1. Church membership is our public commitment to serve with a specific group of believers.  We agree through membership to use our God-given gifts alongside others who have joined the same body.  By joining a church, we affirm that we intend to relate to other believers with the level of intimacy.  See:  1 Corinthians 12
2. Church membership is our vow to be a part of God’s family in a local area.  As a family, believers are to love, support, challenge, and encourage one another.  This family is to be consistent and stable.  Love for God’s family identifies us as followers of Christ.  It is a family commitment.  See:  John 13:34-35
3. Church membership is our agreement to be accountable for our Christian growth.  Certain passages in the New Testament  (Matthew 18:15-17) show that the church must hold members accountable to this righteous living.  Uniting with a church is an official step to give permission for other church members to confront us when needed, so that we might more fully experience the joy of obedience.  We recognize that we are not intended to live this Christian life alone in isolation.  See:  Hebrews 10:19-25
4. Church membership is our pledge to get directly involved in God’s work.  Some have a habit of merely sitting in a service, listening and quickly departing for a meal.  When we join a church, we no longer have permission to sit, listen, and leave.  The church helps us identify our gifts and then calls us to serve.  And we must serve.
5. Church membership is our official commitment to the work of the Great Commission.  There are five commissions in the Scripture to ‘make disciples.’  Evangelism and missions are not easy tasks and they cannot be done alone.  When we join a church, we are getting our hands involved in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

How can you become a member at Calvary?   

First, you need to see a deacon or Bro. Darrick and express your desire to join our church.  You can do this during the invitation at the end of the service or in private.  Then, we’d like to get to know you.  We’ll arrange a time for you to share with us your testimony of how you became a Christian, and to what service the Lord has called you.  The following week, we will present you before the church for a vote.