Ekklēsia - Part 1 (Membership)

May 29th, 2025
by Mike Dunyak

Ekklēsia - The Assembly of the Church
Part 1 - Membership

What does it mean to be a member of a team or organization?
What are some benefits of being a member of a team or organization?
How does church membership differ from being part of a team or secular organization? (Read 2 Cor 8:1-7 with emphasis on v5)
What are some common objections to formal church membership? Why do you think this is?
First order of business is to define a “church.” If we are going to talk about membership, what are we becoming members of?
- The word “εκκλησια” (ekklēsia) means assembly or congregation. It is not a religious word but was used in a secular context as well (see Acts 19). The word is used 114 times in the N.T. and is used mostly to describe a local body of believers. It is also used to describe the Body of Christ (Eph 1:22-23), which is the Church; an aggregated body of believers past, present, and future.
There is no clear edict or mandate in Scripture on how churches are to be formally organized, but there is precedent. Let’s look at a few of these examples:
- “This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you” (Titus 1:5, NASB).
- The fact that early Christians were formed into religious assemblies (churches); the epistles were directed toward them (i.e. Corinthian, Ephesian, and Galatian churches).
- And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers (Acts 2:42).
What are the benefits of church membership?
- Church Unity
  - So, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind (Phil 2:1-2).
  - I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment (1 Cor 1:10).
- Edification of the Saints
  - So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding (Rom 14:19).
  - We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
  - Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up (Rom 15:1-2).
- Accountability
  - Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Gal 6:1-2).
  - Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working (Jas 5:16).
What should be the prerequisites for membership in a local church?
- Read Mt 10:32-33, Rom 10:9-10 and write a response.
- Read Mt 3:13-17 and Acts 10:47-48 and write a response.
- Read Phil 2:1-2 and 1 Cor 1:10 and write a response.
- In summary, church membership, while not directly addressed in Scripture, is a means through which we solidify church unity, edify the saints and maintain accountability (which is explicitly addressed in Scripture) in the local church. It requires a profession of faith, believers baptism, and approval of the existing active church members.
In Part Two we will discuss Spiritual Giftedness and Maturity. If you have never done a spiritual gift assessment, please do one and be prepared to discuss in the next session.
- Spiritual Gifts Survey