Defining a Local Church:
A local church is a local body of baptized believers who regularly assemble to hear and obey Scripture, to observe the two ordinances (Baptism and the Lord's supper), and to fulfill the Great Commission.

Defining Church Membership:
Church membership is a process that identifies and maintains the distinction between Christians and the world, for the purposes of:
1) Establishing a Christian witness in that local church's particular area by confirming a Christian's testimony.
2) Providing the framework for a mutual commitment between the believer and the local church at large.

Scriptural Precedence for an Official Process of Church Membership:
The entire New Testament is written to local churches, filled with regenerate baptized believers (Church members). (1 Cor 1:2; 2 Cor 1:1, Gal 1:2; Eph 1:1; Phil 1:1; etc)

As the church was born and the Gospel was being advanced, "The Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved." (Acts 2:47) In Acts 2:37-47 there is a numerical record of those who are being saved and joining the local church.

Church members are told in Hebrews 13:17, "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account." From this verse, there is a specific group of people who are required to submit to their Pastors, and that same group of people are under the Pastor's accountable care. This specific group of people are marked by some form of official church membership.

There are a great other number of passages to support the practice of meaningful church membership. The Bible calls for local churches to keep a detailed record of its members for the sake of establishing a credible witness to the community around it and as a framework of commitment within the church.

Church Membership and Witness:
A member of the Corinthian church was living in unrepentant sexual immorality. Paul instructs for the church to, "put out of your fellowship the man who has been doing this." (1 Cor 5:2) The principle behind Paul's instruction is stated, "What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. 'Expel the wicked person from among you.'” (1 Cor 5:12-13) Paul acknowledges the distinction between those "outside the church" and those "inside." He intends for this man to be removed from membership with the hopes that he would repent and be restored to fellowship. (1 Cor 5:5) In doing so, the local church in Corinth would protect their witness in the community of lostness around them. Without a formal process of church membership, local churches endanger their witness by not protecting the holiness of the church.

Church Membership and Commitment:
Church membership is a great privilege that God has gifted his followers! Church members spur one another on toward love and good deeds. (Heb 10:24) Church members benefit from the shepherding, guidance, and godly model that the pastors serve as for each member. Church members enjoy the physical care and concern that the deacons exercise for the membership of the church. In Ephesians 4:16, each member receives the ministry of other members for the building up and maturity of the whole church. Church members enjoy corporate worship which involves preaching, worship, praying, and the ordinances. Church members are instructed to hold one another accountable in love by addressing sin and encouraging faithfulness. These privileges and responsibilities are commitments that church members make to their leadership and to one another when they join a local church! Church membership is meaningful in that serves as the framework for mutual commitment.

Fellowship Kansas City Church Membership Process:
After visiting FKC and connecting with leadership, you are invited to attend a New Members Class! This class will give you the opportunity to hear more about FKC and for our Pastors to get to know more about you. Register for the class now!