A couple of Sundays ago, our latest communicant's class of middle schoolers joined the church. Basically, these are students whose Sunday School has been taught by our pastor since September with the goal of teaching them the foundations of Christian belief, history, and philosophy. And this recent Sunday was the culmination of all that—they became members of the church.
For me, the joy was two-fold. First, it was the first incoming members I got to "receive" as an elder. I met with the students beforehand, had a chance to hear from them about what they had learned, and to offer what little advice I had as they moved forward in their faith.
Then during the service, all the elders came forward and laid our hands on their shoulders as the whole congregation prayed for them. It reminded me of our children's baptisms, in a way. Hearing the whole church pledge to support and care for them was incredibly moving.
Secondly, it was particularly special to me because about half of the students I know personally from when Laura and I were the youth leaders. We had just taught some of these kids last year in Jr. High Sunday School! To see them now, professing their faith and desire to be a part of their local church, was very heartwarming. These weren't just some kids, these were Rachel and Carolyn and Savannah and Brett.
People sometimes wonder, "Why join a church? What's the difference between that and just going regularly?" I guess, to some degree, it's the same idea behind why you get "legally" married or why you get publically baptized, although I freely admit the biblical command for those is much clearer.
But the idea is one of public commitment, a bonding display of unity. Of pledging yourself to something bigger than you, and saying to the other people in the church, "Hey, we're in this together."
Is it required to worship and serve and grow? Nope. But is it meaningful? I think it really is.
Further reading:
A Biblical Understanding of Membership by 9Marks
Why People Join A Church by Joyful Heart Renewal Minsitries
Why Join A Church? by Frank Turk @ Pyromaniacs
Comments