so so much [to.be.grateful.for] {the importance of belonging}

Today was my first day back at Grace Community Church and I was so excited to be back. Not only did I look forward to the awesome teaching, today is a special day because I (finally) became a member. Grace has a special program called "Dual Membership" where you can actually be a member at two churches at once, your home church and Grace.

I am so thrilled to start getting involved in the evening children's ministry, Discovery. I already have talked to so many great people who work in that program and found out this morning that one woman is actually in my fellowship group.

One time a friend asked me why it was important to be a member at a church. Even though I knew it had to be important- being a "charter" member at my old church, I wondered where in the Bible it says, "Thou shalt be a member at a good church."

Well, that verse is not in my version- so I asked my dad who handed me a paper that he gives to prospective members explaining why we believe in the importance of belonging. This is my paraphrase of it...

Belonging to a church is clearly taught in scripture since passages like Matthew 18 are clearly dealing with a church setting where people actually know each other. How else would someone confront a brother on sin unless they had spent an extended amount of time together?

Also, we are to worship together, as a unit. (Eph 5:19) I know that when it comes to church there is something overwhelming about standing up together and belting out praise songs or hymns. Somehow singing the same way in my room or car is, well, weird. I'm not saying you can't or won't worship by yourself...but think seriously about your top ten worship experiences and I betcha you weren't alone.

In addition, it goes against the grain of our human nature to live in isolation from others who believe the same as us. Think about the freakiest cult. Now Stop. Why did these people all get together? One highly influential leader? Sure. Drugs? More than likely. But even deeper than all that is the need they feel to be with others who are on the same page. In fact, they would go so far as to identify themselves as committed members of the cult.

So basically our social needs, especially as a growing Christian, require a consistent place we can call home turf. A haven full of other members who will exhort us and protect us from false teaching. Those who will take a stand alongside us. The ones that call, email, facebook, text, chat, and blog for us. These needs are met through the Church, Christ's church. After all, this worship experience is really meant to bring Christ glory. If we are all pointing each other towards that goal- it is impossible to fail.

I am excited for this new journey. I've never been a member at a church where my blood family was not present (sounds mafia-ish), if that makes sense. The good news is, the eternal parts of us bind us together like the cheesy hymn says. We are all family and I think that's just pretty much wonderful.