Expert: Onaga Thomas - 9/1/2006

Question
  I agree but still I do not agree with the transfer of memebership for we are one body . We only transfer attendance for if I have to transfer membership then that tells me I am not part of the whole body just where I came from . To say I am not a member wherever I move to to say I am not part of your body .  I go other  congregations for support for I am a memeber of their body but only my regular attendance does belong to my home ( if you will ) congregation . To say this the only way I know how but the Bible never mentions transfer of membership but we again not to forsake the assembly I know . For example , if I moved today ,  I would ask for transfer of my regular attendance to such and such church not membership . Please understand , I am only trying to point as i hear transfer of membership where it is nowhere found in scripture . Thanks Chad please reply.
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Followup To

Question -
I am a member of the church to . I didnt know you all even existed . I am glad your there . Ok , In the church you know as well as I do, we are all one body . NOw if one moves to another city , they would only transfer ( if you will ) their attendance . we know the elders overseer/rule what ever term one wishes to use but the Bible never states transfer membership in which I do not agree for not backed by scripture though I know not to forsake the assembly : Hebrews 10:25 . Yet I do hear sadly the term . Whats Biblical stance , basically just respond . Want to see if I am on the which I think I am .

Chad , thanks

Answer -
If you are a member of the Church of Christ, then you have been baptized into Christ which is the biblical entrance into the body, the Church.  If for some reason a believer has to move to another state and look for a Church of Christ to become a member at, they can do that.  I live in Denver and at the Park East Church of Christ, we ask them to fill out a little card which tells of if they are a member or not, visiting, here with a friend etc....Any one wanted to become a new member at park east just checks the block on the card, no need to be baptized again, they are already a Christian believer.  We do that so we can publicly recognized that a believer is placing membership at our church, it will be their local church were they worship.  But you are right, never forsake the assembly, but if you become a new member of a church of christ hopefully the elders or deacons will take the proper action to make sure that everyone at that church recognized that you were already a believer, it is just that you are placing membership with that local church.  Hope this help you and God bless

Onaga

Answer
You are right, transfer of membership or attendance is not covered in the Bible, only not forsaking the assembly, so it becomes a matter of personal opinion.  For me a transfer of membership to another congregation does not mean that you are not a member of the body, it just means that you are changing home churches, so to speak.  So however you word it (transfer of membership or attendance) it equals the same thing-you are changing your regular attendance from a home church to another home church)and now you are attending a different church, but either way you put it you are still a member of the Body of Christ.