05/11/2026
There are many people attending Broadacres Baptist Church that are not members. This is a good thing. It means that people come here and like what they have found. They stay. I want to take a moment to express why this non-member/regular attender status isn't sustainable for the long-term. We were meant to live in community: with God and other believers. If you have been attending for a year or longer without joining, ask yourself why.
Church membership matters because it roots believers in a committed, identifiable community where faith is nurtured, practiced, and lived out together. Rather than a loose association of attenders, the New Testament consistently portrays the church as a covenant family—people who belong to one another in Christ and take responsibility for each other’s spiritual growth.
The earliest Christians were not anonymous worshipers. Acts 2:41–47 describes new believers being “added to their number,” a phrase that implies a recognized, accountable community. Paul’s instructions to Corinth—especially his command to “remove the evil person from among you” (1 Corinthians 5:13)—only make sense if the church knew who was inside the fellowship and who was not. Hebrews 13:17 speaks of leaders who “keep watch over your souls,” which presumes a defined flock under their care. Membership expresses that same pattern today: believers willingly place themselves within a body where they can be shepherded, encouraged, corrected, and loved.
From the beginning, Christians organized themselves into identifiable congregations. The Didache (early church document) outlines expectations for teaching, worship, and discipline—evidence of structured communities with clear belonging. Ignatius of Antioch urged believers to gather with their local church under recognized leaders, emphasizing unity and accountability. These early patterns reflect the same principles seen in Scripture: believers knew their church, and the church knew its members.
Membership is not merely duty—it is a gift. Believers receive spiritual care from pastors and fellow members who pray, teach, and walk with them. They enjoy meaningful fellowship where burdens are shared and joys multiplied (Galatians 6:2). They participate fully in the church’s worship, including baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and they join the congregation in shaping its mission, doctrine, and direction through congregational decision-making.
Church membership is ultimately about commitment—commitment to Christ expressed through commitment to His people. It reflects biblical teaching, echoes early Christian practice, and offers believers a place to grow, serve, and belong. In joining a church, Christians step into a shared life of discipleship and mission that they were never meant to pursue alone.
Become a vital part of Broadacres Baptist Church. Join us, as we live on mission.
