If one member suffers, all suffer together if one member is honored, all rejoice togetherвЂќ (1 Corinthians 12:21-26, ESV). But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. вЂњThe eye cannot say to the hand, вЂњI have no need of you,вЂќ nor again the head to the feet, вЂњI have no need of you.вЂќ On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. Each reveals something vital to the Christian faith which would be minimized or denied if there were no definable local church membership.Д¬hurch membership is implied in the metaphor of the body of Christ. The Bible contains at least five strands of evidence for local church membership. They arenвЂ™t sure why membership is necessary if they are otherwise committed to the church. Many find church membership a complicated topic. And we do this because Jesus joyfully left behind his comfort and bound himself to us. Because of this, joining a church is one of the most counter-cultural things a person can do.Д«ecoming a church member means leaving behind the comfort of individualism and voluntarily allowing yourself to be bound to others. This mindset has only increased in our post-modern and post-Christian culture. Many people view churches as an unnecessary, or even manipulative, institution not particularly valuable for spiritual growth or personal well-being. He considered the reproach of Christ greater than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the rewardвЂќ (Hebrews 11:24-26, ESV). вЂњBy faith Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of PharaohвЂ™s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

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