The church is vitally important in the life of a Christian. As believers, we are called not only to receive from the church, but also to commit and contribute to its mission and community. The Bible has a lot to say about the importance of commitment to the local church. In this comprehensive blog post, we will explore the biblical foundations for commitment to the church and what it looks like to be a committed member of a local congregation.
Introduction
The church is not simply a building or institution, but rather the gathered people of God who have been saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible uses many metaphors and analogies to describe the church: a body with many members (1 Cor 12:12-27), a household or family (Eph 2:19), a temple where God dwells (Eph 2:21-22), and the bride of Christ (Rev 19:7). As Christians, we do not merely attend church, we are the church!
This means that commitment to a local congregation is not optional for believers. Throughout the New Testament we see the importance of belonging, contributing, and submitting to a local body of believers. In this blog post we will explore some key biblical principles about commitment to the church:
- God designed believers to participate in a local church community
- Commitment demonstrates love for other Christians
- Using our gifts serves the body of Christ
- Submitting to leaders helps maintain unity and growth
- Regularly gathering together encourages maturity in Christ
Let’s take a deeper look at each of these aspects of commitment to the church.
Key Takeaways about Commitment to the Church
- God designed believers to participate in the local church, not just attend occasionally.
- Committing to a church demonstrates Christ-like love for other believers.
- Using your spiritual gifts serves others and builds up the body of Christ.
- Submitting to church leaders maintains unity and enables growth.
- Regular gathering together encourages spiritual maturity.
God Designed Believers to Participate in a Local Church
Throughout the New Testament, we see evidence that God intends every believer to participate actively in the life and mission of a local church community. Let’s look at several passages that teach this truth:
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42)
From the very beginning, followers of Jesus met regularly not just to listen to teaching, but also to fellowship, eat together, and pray. The early church naturally formed a community that went deeper than just attending Sunday services together.
“Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” (Romans 12:4-5)
Paul compares the church to a physical body. Each believer is a member who belongs and contributes to the overall body. There is interdependence and mutuality.
“We, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” (Romans 12:5)
This reiterates the point that believers are interconnected members of one body. We do not just attend the same events but actually belong to each other.
“If one part [of the body] suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:26-27)
Here we see our deep interconnection in the church body. What impacts one member impacts all. We need each other and rely on each other.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)
The author encourages believers to meet together regularly for mutual encouragement and growth, not neglecting gathering as some had formed a habit of doing. Participation in the church community is expected.
In summary, these passages demonstrate it is God’s design for every Christian to be integral members of a local church, sharing life deeply and participating actively. It is not enough just to attend worship services. We are called to belong, contribute, and spur one another on in the context of local church community.
Committing to a Church Expresses Love
One key way we express Christian love is by committing ourselves to a community of believers. Let’s examine a few verses that highlight this:
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (Romans 12:10)
Part of honoring others above ourselves means committing to the same church family even when it is difficult or inconvenient.
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” (Romans 12:10 ESV)
Brotherly love and honor are demonstrated through long-term commitment to our church family.
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:18)
True love is not just words, but ongoing commitment. We love our church family in deeds and truth when we stick together through thick and thin.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)
Here the call is to not give up meeting together especially when times are hard and the temptation is to isolate. Committing to regular gathering demonstrates love.
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
Burden bearing requires an ongoing commitment to church members, not just showing up occasionally. We are called to serve others’ needs within the context of local church community.
In summary, keeping our commitment to a local congregation even through ups and downs is a powerful demonstration of Christian love. It goes beyond emotion and good intentions to the self-sacrificial service that Jesus modeled for us.
Using Gifts and Abilities Serves Others
Every believer has been given various gifts and talents by God’s grace. One key way we can serve Christ is by utilizing our gifts to build up the local church:
“Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” (Romans 12:4-6a)
Our diverse gifts complement each other just as the parts of the body work together. Exercising our gifts is a key way the church functions and grows.
“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work…to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7)
Spiritual gifts are not given merely for our own benefit but rather to serve others and build up the church. Using our gifts for the common good requires commitment to a local body.
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10)
Stewarding the gifts God has entrusted to us involves employing them to serve others in the church. This requires devoted membership in a congregation.
In summary, a key way we live out the Christian life is by utilizing our spiritual gifts, talents, and resources to build up others in the context of the local church. This demonstrates commitment and exercising good stewardship for God’s glory.
Submitting to Leaders Facilitates Growth
God establishes leaders such as pastors and elders to provide spiritual care and guidance for each local church:
“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.” (Acts 20:28)
Pastors have responsibility before God to care for and shepherd the church. We support their mission when we submit to their authority and strive for unity and peace.
“Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.” (Hebrews 13:17)
Church leaders will one day give an account to God for how well they led. We make their demanding responsibility a joy rather than burden when we honor and submit to them.
“The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.” (1 Timothy 5:17)
One way we honor church leaders is by supporting and participating in the ministries and direction they prayerfully guide the church towards.
Of course, it is legitimate to question and even confront leaders respectfully when there are moral failures or doctrinal compromise. However, in general God calls us to submit to the leaders He places over us in the church. They are tasked with the huge responsibility of guiding the flock into greater Christlikeness through faithful shepherding and teaching. Our commitment, support, and submission to their direction facilitates the church’s growth and health.
Regular Gathering for Growth
An important way we express commitment to the church is by regularly gathering together for worship, fellowship, and to hear God’s Word proclaimed. The Bible encourages this pattern:
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:23-25)
Here persevering commitment is directly connected with not forsaking gathering together. Some had fallen into the bad habit of skipping church in favor of personal isolation. But we need each other for encouragement and growth.
“I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”” (Psalm 122:1)
The Psalmist’s joyful commitment is evident in his gladness to join with God’s people in worship and fellowship. Half-heartedness drains the joy Christ intends for His Bride.
Of course, providential hindrances will sometimes prevent gathering. But the consistent pattern throughout Scripture is joyful devotion to celebrating with and encouraging fellow believers through regular communal worship.
Final Call to Commit to the Church
In closing, it is clear from Scripture that commitment to the local church should characterize every devoted follower of Jesus Christ. By integrating fully into a church body we tangibly express Christian love, exercise our spiritual gifts, honor our leaders, and spur each other on to maturity in Christ.
The church is the primary means by which God accomplishes His purposes on earth. Our faithful participation and commitment helps the church be “a light on a hill” that brings glory to God and reaches the world with the Gospel.
While no church is perfect, the solution is not to hop perpetually to new congregations. Rather, it is to commit wholeheartedly to build up the local body of Christ where God has planted us. Together, we can manifest the wonderful mosaic of Christ’s Bride, the Church, to our communities and live out our holy calling as believers who love and encourage one another.
Let us take these biblical truths to heart, evaluating if there are areas where we can deepen our devotion, contribution, and commitment to our local congregation for God’s glory and the spread of the Gospel. By God’s grace, may we each strive to be faithfully connected, mutually dependent parts of the living Body of Christ.
