Why should someone belong to and join a church? That is good question. After all, church membership cannot be found in the Bible. The Bible never commands us to “join” a church. It does teach us to be with one another and to not neglect being together for worship and ministry. It also teaches that we “belong” to one another through Christ. But the Bible never tells us take membership in a church. In fact, because of it not being in the Bible, some churches have no form of formal church membership.

So why do we encourage people to “join?” Maybe a better word would be “commit.” Why do we encourage people to make a commitment to First Lutheran? The reason is because our commitments allow us to experience the very best our relationships and our lives have to offer. The quality of our commitments and our commitments to keeping them are THE most significant factors in determining the quality of our relationships, and therefore our lives.

Why is that? Because it takes TIME to experience the best part of our relationships, and takes staying WITH those relationships OVER TIME to experience the very best relationships have to give. Until we commit to someone, we seldom tend to put the very best we have to give to that relationship. And without commitments, we tend to move on to other relationships when the ones we’re in become hard or difficult. But it’s when we put our BEST into the relationships we’re in, and STAY IN those relationships through the hard times that we experience the very best relationships and life possible.

And so, why commit to a church? Because commitment is to the KEY to unlocking the very best possible relationship a person can have with a church and its members. When you make the decision to “commit,” you’re making the decision to put the best you have into the relationship. When you “commit,” you’re making the decision to realize the very best that relationship has to give by staying in the relationship over time. It also means that a pastor and group of people are making a commitment to you to give you their very best, and stay in their relationship with you.

Some other important reasons to belong are:

• A church family identifies you as a genuine believer.
• A church family moves you out of self-centered isolation.
• A church family helps you develop spiritual muscle.
• The Body of Christ needs you.
• You will share in Christ’s mission in the world.
• A church family will help keep you strong in your faith and relationship with Christ.

God made us for relationship with Him, and He made us for relationship with one another. We need one another. His Church is a gift to us; First Lutheran is His gift to each of us to connect and belong, both to Him, and to one another. So get connected. Belong.

If you would like more information about joining First Lutheran, please contact the church office, email us a request for information, or indicate interest on a communication card at Sunday morning worship.