Three Reasons to Join a Local Church

• Church membership helps make the gospel clear to non-Christians by providing a unified witness of what it means to be a Christian. 
• Membership provides this unified witness by implementing a statement of faith, encouraging unity in doctrine, and a church covenant, encouraging unity in lifestyle. 

Sample statement of faith                                           Sample church covenant 

• God is not merely concerned about our own private piety, but also about our care for the other sheep.  This is a whole aspect of godliness that privatized Christians ignore.  If we don't love God's people, then John says we have reason to question our love for God Himself (1John 4:8).
• God wants us to encourage weaker Christians and run the race with them.  Don't leave it to other people to care for those outside your circle of friends.  This is your responsibility.
• Members should see themselves as providers - coming to serve others, not to be served.

• If regular attenders don't eventually make themselves known to the pastor as members of the church, then the pastor cannot take responsibility for them as part of his particular flock. Pastors need to know for which sheep God will hold them accountable so that they can tend to them most responsibly and effectively (Heb 13:17).
• If regular attenders don't join churches, then pastors cannot be freed to do what they do.  Pastors can only devote themselves to the ministry because they are set free to do so by members who fund their work.  Regular attenders benefit from the commitment of other people who have become members and who give and serve and pray regularly.