The question on the table seems to be whether a membership class or some type of seeker study (or both) as a prerequisite to church membership displays what Bobby Welch described as “flagging confidence in God’s ability to transform someone’s life instantly.”  I should hope not.  I understand the Bible to teach that the sinner is justified by faith in Christ alone (Gal. 3:23-25) but, as it has been often said, that faith is never alone, if it is true faith it will be accompanied by works (James 2:24).

It seems to me, then, the question that every church needs to ask every prospective member is: do you have faith in Christ (do you believe) and is you faith in Christ accompanied by a changed life (do you repent).  After all, Jesus himself said, “Repent and believe” (Mark 1:15).  I’m reminded of the story of Spurgeon who came across a drunkard.  The drunkard said to the great preacher, “I’m one of your converts!”  Spurgeon said in his typical fashion, “You must be one of mine because you’re certainly not one of the Lord’s!”  Belief in Christ will not make one perfect, this side of heaven, but there should be changes in people’s lives that are discernable.

Should the church have some time to sit down with a prospective member and work through the meaning of conversion and church membership?  I think so.  It seems to me the cost of not doing this is found in the fact that there are roughly 16 million Southern Baptists and 10 million cannot be found on Sunday morning–that’s more than enough people to fill New York City!

I guess I’m more concerned about this problem–people running around as members of churches who don’t actually go to their churches–than the problem that Welch pointed to: membership classes somehow undermining confidence in God’s ability to convert people instantaneously.

I’m thankful that at Third we are beginning to have a membership roll more accurately reflect our attendance.  I think this will give us more credibility in our community and help us be salt and light in Old Louisville.  Adding a membership class, to help people understand what it looks likes to be a member of the bride of Christ–including every believer’s responsiblity to share the Gospel–will only make us more evangelistic.  I think I understand what Welch said, but I confess, I just don’t get it.

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