Guiding Questions 3: Why Church?
- RD Montgomery
- Aug 30
- 7 min read
Updated: Sep 2
In the United States, most people who call themselves Christians are unchurched, and most who are members think church is nothing more than an hour of their Sunday singing and hearing a sermon. They do not have a biblical view of the church or their responsibility to it, so they are idle.
No matter which survey you look at, most people are idle in their church community. Sadly, most churches are generally okay with it as long as they keep showing up. A good church will make it clear that it is not about the numbers. However, there is an undercurrent that is usually still there. Even if a church is not directly competing with the church down the street, one might believe that their church is doing something “more right” if it is growing.
What defines church growth?
The usual criteria for church growth is in the numbers. If more people are showing up and transitioning to becoming members, the church is in positive growth. However, when we look at the biblical description of a member, it does not include people who are perpetually idle.
The more we stuff our roster with idle members, the more we overwork staff and volunteers casting seeds to people who are too caught up in their own lives to bear fruit (Matthew 13:22, Luke 8:14, James 1:22). What else might the church be able to accomplish if we did a better job of holding people accountable?
Also, if we do not hold them accountable, aren't we leaving them in the cold?
What does an idle person get from attending a church service? Perhaps a few good feelings, the satisfaction of checking a box, or a way to avoid being nagged. Yet, if they pay attention—as many obviously have—they may realize that nothing lasting is accomplished. If nothing changes, even showing up for an hour might feel like a chore. You certainly cannot expect them to show up for other events. They might even feel as if they are doing the leadership a favor by "sacrificing" that precious weekend hour. In short, no one is ever going to answer the “why church” correctly if they are self-centered and idle. They will miss out on the blessing that serving others brings.
Of course, the moment you hold idle members to a biblical standard, some of them will go find easier churches to attend.
What is the biblical definition of a church member?
The summarized biblical definition of a church member is a Christ-follower who serves their church family and serves others alongside their church family.
Let me put it another way. It is awesome if you and your family get something out of attending church services and events, but that does not make you a member. What makes you a member is becoming a serving member of a church community.
1 Corinthians 12:27: “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” The Bible uses the metaphor of a human body to describe the church. A biblical church member understands they are not an isolated unit. They are a specific, essential part of the whole, designed by God to contribute to the health and function of the body. This means they are not just “consumers” but “contributors.”
Ephesians 4:16: “From whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” A true member actively participates, using their unique gifts to “supply” or contribute to the church’s growth. They are not idle; they are working together with others.
Here are the key biblical characteristics of a church member:
A Disciple of Christ (Committed to Following Jesus)
John 8:31-32: “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.” A church member is a disciple—a learner and follower of Jesus. Their commitment is to Him and His teachings, and this commitment is what draws them into the community of other believers. Their education allows them to mature in how they serve.
Accountable and Submitted to Leadership
Hebrews 13:17: “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” A biblical church member willingly submits to the spiritual authority of the church’s appointed leaders (elders, pastors), trusting them to guide and shepherd the flock according to God’s Word. They recognize that this submission is for their own spiritual good and for the harmony of the entire church.
Devoted to the “One Another” Commands
A biblical church member should actively follow these commands, especially (above all) in their church family. See Galatians 6:10.
Love one another (John 13:34, 15:12, 17; Romans 13:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:9)
Live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:16)
Be devoted to one another (Romans 12:10)
Accept one another (Romans 15:7)
Be patient, bearing with one another in love (Ephesians 4:2)
Encourage and build up one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another (Ephesians 4:32)
Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another (1 Peter 5:5)
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:21)
Serve one another humbly in love (Galatians 5:13)
Bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2)
Comfort one another (1 Thessalonians 4:18)
Teach and admonish one another (Colossians 3:16)
Stir up one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24)
Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another (James 5:16)
Committed to the Church’s Mission
Assisting in the Great Commission. Matthew 28:19a & 20a: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations. Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” A biblical member supports the spread of the Gospel and training of disciples in their community and beyond.
Serving the needs of the local community Acts 2:45: "And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need."
Let’s put something to rest: Your faith is not a personal or private thing
Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
God isn’t looking for soloists; He is looking for a massive choir.
Starting from Abraham, God made it clear he intended to build a “nation,” a “chosen people,” a “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). A Christ-follower needs to understand they are now part of this new covenant people. The church is not an accident; it is the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan throughout history. Your given purpose is not a solo act; it is to be a function within a church community.
Time to get to work!
If you are in a church and idle, it is time to become a contributing member. If your church says they don't need you to do anything, it is time to find another church. If they lack good communication, explaining their needs (like my church); you need to be a squeaky wheel.
If you are still an immature disciple of Christ, you may not fully understand your role yet. The good news is that the church always has a lot of jobs that can be done by most people. It’s important not to look down on these jobs, as they are of vital importance. When these roles are filled, it frees more mature disciples to focus their time and energy on their specific purposes. See Acts 6:1-6.
Some may feel overwhelmed by their current level of commitment and think they cannot handle anymore. However, there are some jobs that can be done during the same time you are normally at church, and if everyone who could do them volunteered, no one would have to serve as often. There are also a lot of one-time jobs that can come up. For instance, I once helped a widowed single mother by picking up her new freezer and taking it to her house. It took me about 45 minutes, but it made a tremendous difference to her. These small, one-time acts of service are just as important as ongoing roles and are another way to be an active part of the body.
If you are not in a church, there is a church out there that needs you. It may not have the music you prefer, it may not have the best kid’s program, the preacher might not be as interesting, entertaining, brief, or charismatic as you’d like but being a member of a church should not be about you.
It is critically important for more people to answer "why church?" correctly:
In 1 Corinthians 12:14-20, Paul makes it clear that none of us are independent agents anymore. Those days ceased at Pentecost. If you do not plug into a community, you become the prideful ear that thinks it can be an entire body by itself. Your true purpose is always going to be within a church community. It is where you can do the most good and have the biggest impact. It is what changes church from being a worship service to being a fulfilling ministry.
A healthy church brings hope to the community it sits in and beyond. It should be common sense that a group on mission can do far more than an individual, and the larger the group is, the more talents and gifts will be represented.
I know this post is a little longer than most. It could have been so much longer. This question can go in many directions. There is another Word document with 10 pages of things I cut from this post.
Companion Post: https://www.walkinthetruth.org/post/why-church-understanding-the-biblical-view-of-community
Scripture used or considered in the writing of "Guiding Questions 3: Why Church?" By RD Montgomery. All Scripture quoted is in ESV format unless otherwise specified.
Matthew 5:13-16
Matthew 5:43-47
Matthew 7:12
Matthew 13:18-23
Matthew 13:22
Matthew 22:39
Matthew 28:19-20
Luke 8:14
John 8:31-32
John 13:1-20
John 13:12-15
John 13:14
John 13:34
John 13:35
John 15:12
John 15:17
Acts 1:8
Acts 2:42-47
Acts 6:1-6
Acts 8:26-40
Romans 12:4-5
Romans 12:10
Romans 12:15-16
Romans 13:8
Romans 14:13
Romans 15:7
1 Corinthians 5:4
1 Corinthians 12
1 Corinthians 13
2 Corinthians 13:11
Galatians 5:13
Galatians 5:26
Galatians 6:1-10
Ephesians 4:2
Ephesians 4:11-17
Ephesians 4:32
Ephesians 5:17-21
Colossians 3:9
Colossians 3:16
1 Thessalonians 4:9
1 Thessalonians 4:18
1 Thessalonians 5:11
1 Thessalonians 5:14-15
Hebrews 10:24-25
Hebrews 13:2
Hebrews 13:17
James 1:2-4
James 1:22-25
James 4:11
James 5:9
James 5:16
1 Peter 2:4-10
1 Peter 4:9
1 Peter 5:5
Revelation 2-3
Revelation 5:9
Comments