“Proxy” Membership?

What is involved in membership in a local church?  How important is it? 

Many people claim membership or affiliation to a church.  The ‘criteria’ varies but in general, membership in a local church is something that is commemorative of one’s conversion. 

Quite often, on Memorial Day, there are homecomings or special services held and people will return to and attend the church wherein their conversion occurred. From this, we see that it much like a reunion.  Such behavior reveals the attitude that prevails toward membership with/in a church.

A while back I read an article of someone very prominent in the religious realm, who "switched" membership from one church to another church.  It further substantiates that membership is at best a ‘token’ commodity with most.

Let me share a scenario with you on the subject of church membership and see if you would acknowledge my claim of church membership.

What if I had never lived in Lexington, KY, and had only occasionally visited this congregation over a span of 55 years?  What if my residence had been say, Miami, FL.?  Further, what if I said was retiring and switching my membership to New Orleans, LA.?  (I still live in Miami).  The reason for this is that I have long maintained a close relationship w/the preacher there in New Orleans, and that he had worked w/me over the years.  I’m unable to travel now, and watch the worship services of the New Orleans church on TV.   Upon what basis might I claim membership at Mill Street and at New Orleans?

I now share with you a factual situation regarding church membership:

The date is Dec. 29, 2008 – Dallas Morning News contained this article.

After more than half a century as a member of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, ----------------- has switched his membership to a church closer to his home in the North Carolina mountains.

------------ was voted in as a member of the First Baptist Church of Spartanburg, S.C., on Sunday.

The Rev. Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Dallas, said he had been contacted by ---------------personal assistant in recent days about the membership switch.

"We'll always treasure the relationship," Dr. Jeffress said.

------------- joined First Baptist Dallas ----------------- in 1953. First Baptist Dallas was then led by the Rev. W.A. Criswell, and was widely considered the preeminent church in the Southern Baptist Convention.

But ------------ has never lived in Dallas, and visited the church only rarely through the years.

------------has long lived in Montreat, N.C., and is essentially home-bound there now. He watches TV broadcasts of First Baptist Spartanburg services.

The pastor of First Baptist Spartanburg, the Rev. Don Wilton, has preached for -------------- and has ministered to -------------- in recent years.

"He has been faithfully visited by Dr. Wilton, whom he refers to as his `TV pastor,'" said Larry Ross, a spokesman for ----------.

Mr. Ross added, "This was not an easy or quick decision by -------------, but he increasingly felt it was important to unite with First Baptist Spartanburg, as that has had his attention and focus, especially through television, in recent years."

------------- has relayed to Dr. Jeffress his "love and appreciation" for First Baptist Dallas and Dr. Jeffress' ministry, Mr. Ross said.

Who is this??? 

Here is the same article with the blanks filled in:

After more than half a century as a member of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, the Rev. Billy Graham has switched his membership to a church closer to his home in the North Carolina mountains.

The famed evangelist, 90, was voted in as a member of the First Baptist Church of Spartanburg, S.C., on Sunday.

The Rev. Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Dallas, said he had been contacted by Mr. Graham's personal assistant in recent days about the membership switch.

"We'll always treasure the relationship," Dr. Jeffress said.

Mr. Graham joined First Baptist Dallas during his first crusade in the city, held at the Cotton Bowl in 1953. First Baptist Dallas was then led by the Rev. W.A. Criswell, and was widely considered the preeminent church in the Southern Baptist Convention.

But the globe-trotting evangelist has never lived in Dallas, and visited the church only rarely through the years.

Mr. Graham has long lived in Montreat, N.C., and is essentially home-bound there now. He watches TV broadcasts of First Baptist Spartanburg services.

The pastor of First Baptist Spartanburg, the Rev. Don Wilton, has preached for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and has ministered to the evangelist in recent years.

"He has been faithfully visited by Dr. Wilton, whom he refers to as his `TV pastor,'" said Larry Ross, a spokesman for Mr. Graham.

Mr. Ross added, "This was not an easy or quick decision by Mr. Graham, but he increasingly felt it was important to unite with First Baptist Spartanburg, as that has had his attention and focus, especially through television, in recent years."

The evangelist has relayed to Dr. Jeffress his "love and appreciation" for First Baptist Dallas and Dr. Jeffress' ministry, Mr. Ross said.

What is involved in membership?  How important is it? 

Acts 9:26, Paul tried to join himself to the disciples...

1 Peter 5:2 – Feed the flock...“among you”...

Ought there not be a way to identify who is a member of the flock versus who is not?

rdb
1/9/2011