What should the requirements for church membership be?
Personally, I think membership requirements should revolve around things like commitment to the church, doctrinal beliefs, and basic moral issues as clearly outlined in the Word, etc., but requirements should avoid legalistic issues or any coercive elements like promising to give a certain portion of income, or avoidance of certain taboos which vary with locality. This would entail having a new membership class that all new members were required to attend before becoming members. The class should cover the Constitution, but more importantly, the basic beliefs, goals and objectives of the church, and its basic philosophy of ministry (For an illustration of a Biblical Philosophy of Ministry, see the sample in the Pastoral Helps section on our web site.)
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