"Are YOU Connected?"

Through the years, I've been asked the question, "Do I have to join a local church?" My response has always reflected many key points regarding church membership. However, I've often begun by simply saying,"No, you don't 'have to' join a local church, but when you become a Christ follower and are committed to Him, you will 'want to' join a local church."

Recently, I read a short article written by pastor and well known author Rick Warren on this subject. After reading it, I concluded it would serve as a great resource for those who may have questions, or even contemplating church membership today. 

Take a moment to absorb his perspective on the importance of getting plugged into a local community of faith.

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Pastor Rick Warren writes...

"Why You Need To Join A Local Church"

"...they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. (2 Corinthians 8:5b NIV)

Whenever a child is born, he or she automatically becomes a part of the universal family of human beings. But that child also needs to become a member of a specific family to receive nurture and care and grow up healthy and strong. The same is true spiritually. When you were born again, you automatically became a part of God’s universal family. But you also need to become a member of a local expression of God’s family.

The difference between being a church attender and a church member is COMMITMENT. 

Attenders are spectators from the sidelines; members get involved in the ministry. 

Attenders are consumers; members are contributors. 

Attenders want the benefits of a church without sharing the responsibility. They are like couples that want to live together without committing to marriage.

Why is it important to join a local church family? Because it proves you are committed to your spiritual brothers and sisters in reality, not just in theory. God wants you to love real people, not ideal people. You can spend a lifetime searching for the perfect church, but you will never find it. You are called to love imperfect sinners, just as God does.

In Acts, the Christians in Jerusalem were very specific in their commitment to each other. They were devoted to fellowship. The Bible says, “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." (Acts 2:42 NIV).

God expects you to commit to the same things today.

Joining the membership of a local church is the natural next step once you’ve become a child of God. You become a Christian by committing yourself to Christ, but you become a church member by committing yourself to a specific group of believers. The first decision brings salvation; the second brings fellowship.

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Friend, wherever you are in your life journey today, wherever you may be in your walk with God, just know...

YOU matter. 

YOU matter to God. 

YOU matter to others. 

YOU are so valuable and important to God that He placed within you something that is unique to you that can only come from you. Something so many other people need in your community, in your city, on your job, and in this world. You see, we are at our best when we are sowing into the lives of others. The way to reap a harvest is through the sowing of seeds. Each and everyone of us reap what we sow! 

The apostle Paul encourages you and I to "get Connected" and in doing so, we will fulfill the very purposes of God for our lives personally and His Church corporately in Ephesians 4:16: 

"From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."

If you are not yet connected to a local church, begin taking the steps today in finding one. Remember, no church is perfect, because it is comprised of imperfect people. 

But, here's some good news:

YOU + ME = WE, and together, WE are stronger!