Expert: Brian Thompson - 3/5/2008

Question
My opinion is that there is no biblical reference to being a member of a church. I understand that there are legal issues here to maintain a non-profit status etc, but is that not, being in the World? Churches' success is usually measured in members, but should it not be in souls saved. I do not believe that being a member or not, measures ones commitment to our Lord, or to the church. We are asked to sign up for church membership as a sign of commitment, but commitment is in doing, not what we say we will do. If I attend a church, pay tithes, volunteer, give back, and do the Lord's will for me, is that not the commitment that is asked of me, and if I am doing this, what difference is there, if I am a member or not. It is our commitment to serve the Lord with all your heart that is the important part. What are the responsibilities of a member? What are the responsibilities of Elders, to members, the church, the Pastor, and even non-members? Are the Elders held to a higher standard than others of the congregation? Are Elders, not responsible to give more of themselves than members do and if so, should their first responsibility not be the church, and not their other ministries?

Answer
Steve I sense from your question you are a little disgruntled.

The Bible tells us not to foresake assembling together. The Reason for this is contained in another Scripture as Iron sharpens iron so a man sharpens the countenance of his friends, so assembling together is meant to cause us to modify our views.

Because of the words you have used, I expect you are in the United States where churches may have been compromised by tax laws (the world) and faith based programs (the world).
So in answer to your question
We should not measure our success in worldly terms, church growth, church buildings, statistics and so on but in the growth of the individuals who comprise the church
Being a member of a church doesn't measure your commitment to God but Pastors love to count the flock. Where you have faith based programs being able to count members becomes important, nothing spiritual about it but it's easy to become compromised.
Obviously leadership is held to a higher standard and leadership does by its nature give a great deal more. Your responsibilites are to help out where you reasonably can. If you can't follow a particular leader find another flock rather than to become a dissenting voice.
If you don't want to sign the membership card, don't do it, but don't expect yourself to be seen as part of core membership by those in leadership, that's the world and unfortunately the Church