Why Am I a Member?

Articles/Bulletins

Kevin Harrington
12/08/13 - Sunday Bulletin

I’ve recently been skimming through a book that I am borrowing called, “Why I Am A Member Of The Church Of Christ” by Leroy Brownlow. I wonder how many people who are reading this article have ever thought to themselves why they are a member of the Church of Christ. Why not be a member down the road at a Baptist church or a Mormon church? Why not be a Calvinist, a Catholic, or a Lutheran? Many people have never put much thought into this question. Most people grew up in the Church of Christ or were taught by someone in the Church of Christ and so that’s where they stayed.

Peter tells us to be ready to be ready to give answer for the hope that is within us (1 Pet. 3:15). Do you think if someone asked you why you are a member of the Church of Christ, you could explain why? Could you see the differences between this church and others? I want point out a few things that we need to consider when we are looking for a church to attend:

Was your church founded by a man or by Christ? A lot of religions today are based on theories and opinions of man. John Calvin and the Calvinists, Joseph Smith and the Mormons, Martin Luther and the Lutherans just to name a few. Or are you following Jesus Christ? I describe myself as a Christian. Simple, I know, but I only follow Christ.
What book does your church use? Almost all churches use the Bible. Some, however, use it more sparingly than others. Some use the Bible as a supplement to another book that has the specific church’s doctrines and creeds. Paul tells Timothy that the Scriptures are complete for every good work (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Peter tells us that God has given us “everything that pertains to life and godliness” (2 Pet. 1:3). Instead of using the Bible as a supplement, we should use it as our main (and only) source of spiritual enrichment.
If your church uses the Bible, do they follow it? Many churches claim to use the Bible as their sole source of authority, but then somewhere along the line, they like to start changing things up. Some churches like to add things to what the Bible says like concerts, dining halls, food banks, playgrounds, instrumental music, and daycares (just to name a few). Other churches like to take things away from the Bible like baptism not being necessary for salvation, Lord’s Supper only one time month (maybe even once a year), etc. If the Bible is the inspired word of God, why would we change what God gave us?

Why are you a member of this church? Why aren’t you a member of another denomination or another religion? I hope we can see the basic fundamental principles that most churches decide to ignore. I am a member of the church of Christ because I love God, I love Christ, I love their words, and I want to do everything I can possibly do to follow the instructions they gave me.

~ Kevin