American Express launched an ad campaign in 1987 entitled, “Membership Has Its Privileges,” a phrase that found root in pop culture.
I don’t think we’ve used the phrase in church, but we’ve traditionally said something similar.
Evangelicals say, “Trust Christ, be baptized and join the church.” However, numbers of people today declare their love for God and attend, but may join the church later, or never. Studies show about half of American adults belong to a church, but a “significant number” participate without joining. And joining a church takes longer now. Other studies suggest seekers might attend for up to 18 months before asking to join a church.
There was a time this bothered me more than it does now.
I remember a lady known as a jokester, so I joked back and almost every Sunday would ask if this would be the “big day” when she joined our church. She’d ask about any “specials” we had and I said the tithe was only five percent that month, and so forth.
In the midst of this my wife suggested I was joking too much and to let it be.
I did.
The late Henry Blackaby of “Experiencing God” fame said the voice of God often sounded like Marilynn’s voice (his wife)!
Is there anything inherently wrong in being active in a church fellowship without membership?
Probably not.
Lester was a fine Christian man and a member of another denomination. He attended his church’s only Sunday morning service, but was with us, and his wife, a Baptist, on Sunday night and Wednesday night. We were happy to have him as a non-member.
Many churches welcome membership or enrollment in a weekly Bible study group that is independent of church membership. Some people realize their lifestyles need attention, such as cohabiting couples, and are struggling with this knowing their church has membership requirements.
Would we treat an attender who is not a member any differently? I think not, other than in congregational meetings since by-laws require church membership for voting. We’d love them, teach them and ask for their help in ministry projects.
Someone once referred to non-member attenders as God-fearers—a phrase from the book of Acts. Cornelius was a Roman centurion who loved God, prayed and gave money to those in need. God heard his prayers and sent Peter to share the gospel; thus, Cornelius was the first or among the first Gentiles (non-Jews) to become a Christ-follower. The church learned the gospel was for everyone.
Though this comparison doesn’t quite fit if non-attenders are Christians, it might be a good moniker. We welcome God-fearers amongst us and trust they’ll be brought to deeper commitment and membership in good time.
