CHURCH MEMBERSHIP ETHICS

CHURCH MEMBERSHIP ETHICS || ⛪ 

By Emelito Velletes Solon

Church of Christ, Philippines.

1.  BE A MEMBER OF ONLY ONE CHURCH. The principle is simple. You cannot belong to two churches at the same time, or you will love one and hate the other or be devoted to one and despise the other (Matthew 6:24, different contexts, same principle). 

2.  RESPECT OTHER CHURCHES (CONGREGATIONS)-- do not invite their members to join your church (even if your church is better than theirs).  Smaller churches have lots of unique challenges and getting members from them won't be of any help to them.  Don't be lazy -- win souls!  There are countless people who do not have a relationship with Christ -- go for them! 

3.  HELP MAKE YOUR CHURCH BETTER, not transfer to a better church. 

4.  STOP LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT CHURCH (CONGREGATION) -- there is none! 

5.  MAKING SUGGESTIONS - When you are a member of a church you have the right to make suggestions.  However, when you make suggestions, you also must be willing to be part of your suggestions.  And when your suggestions are not carried out, do not be offended and go about sulking.  Suggestions are simply that, suggestions! 

6.  YOUR ACTION AFFECTS OTHERS - Be careful what you do because what you do affects others too. The Church is the Body of Christ, and we are all members of that body. Our actions affect others just as a problem in one organ in the body affects the whole body. Of course, it takes maturity to understand this. 

7.  GIVE Financially- Give your financial support to the church you are a member of and not to an organization or church abroad or somewhere else.  Just to humor you, let me give you this illustration. Wouldn't it be absurd (even tragic) if you eat at Jollibee and pay at McDonald's? 

8.  WEDDING CEREMONIES, ETC - If you are getting married, the ethical thing to do is have your own minister/preacher officiate your wedding, unless, of course, he has no license to officiate weddings. This is also true for thanksgiving of houses/cars/businesses and others. 

9.  WHEN YOU HAVE TO LEAVE - There are times when members have to leave a church (congregation) and transfer to another church (congregation).  When this happens, leave in peace. Settle things with the leadership of the church you are leaving.  Ask their blessings (wisdom) on your decision to leave.  Don't just go AWOL (absence without leave). God cannot bless you if you leave that way (Matthew 5:23).  Do not influence and encourage others to transfer with you.  Do not badmouth the church or the leaders of the church you are leaving.  

10.  ESCAPING - Do not leave a church simply because the leaders of the church confronted you of your sin.  If they don't care about you, they wouldn't waste time confronting you.  Galatians 6:1,2.  If you think that the church leaders are protecting the sins of other people, and are even puffed up about it, confront them, and if they don’t listen to you, then escape! This is exactly what Lot had to do – escaping from Sodom and Gomorrah.

11. PERFECT PREACHER/LEADER - Do not leave a church because the PREACHER is imperfect.  Be sure the church you are going to has a PERFECT PREACHER, too!  God cannot use a perfect preacher/leader because there is none!  

12. INTENTIONAL DISCIPLESHIP/CHURCH EXPANSION - Do not leave a church because of it.  Check your reasons for leaving. Find biblical support for your reasons.  If you can find none, maybe you should reconsider.  An emotional reason cannot be a valid reason. As Christians we are governed by the Word of God and not by our emotions.   

Love your church.  Support your church.  Appreciate your church. 

God bless you!