Pastor Eric Burton

Sunday, September 27, 2026

Why Church Membership Matters

We believe church membership is important because:

·         People want to join our church but do not know how.

·         People do not know they are part of our church.

·         People are part of our church but do not act like it.

We want to clarify and define what it means to become a member of the church. We are revising our Next Steps class—formerly known as Connect4—as Discover Syca(more).

Membership begins with discovering what our church is about and then making a clear decision about whether you want to be a member or an attender. We will love you either way and welcome you no less.

You may be asking, “Am I a member?” Your next step is to complete Discover Syca(more).

Scripture as Our Guide

2 Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”

We have a code of conduct that allows us to carry out God’s plan for the church, as the church, and through the church. This code helps us:

1.      Teach truth.

2.      Recognize what is wrong—you cannot recognize wrong until you have heard the truth.

3.      Correct what is wrong. This is where we lose people.

4.      Teach people to do what is right.

1. Connected Members Are Protected

“You can’t disciple an unconnected person.” —Who said that?

Proverbs 18:1 (NKJV): “A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; he rages against all wise judgment.”

When we are not connected, we do not let people get close enough to teach us the truth about ourselves.

2. Members Can Be Trusted

Membership is important because it lets us know whom we can trust with God’s people, ministry, and resources. We want you to go through Discover Syca(more) so that you understand our heart and our method of operation.

3. Members Can Be Corrected

Membership lets us know whom we can pastor and disciple.

Paul gives instructions on how to correct those in the church and remove those who do not want to be corrected.

1 Corinthians 5:1–5: “Turn him over to Satan!” What does that mean? It means removing him from the protective fellowship of the congregation.

1.      It causes a person to deal with the consequences of their sinful nature.

2.      It protects the whole body of Christ so that others are not infected.

3.      The church was bragging about its liberty.

Proverbs 3:11–12: Jesus corrects those he loves. “My child, don’t reject the LORD’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.”

Malachi 1:2–3: “‘I have always loved you,’ says the LORD. But you retort, ‘Really? How have you loved us?’ And the LORD replies, ‘This is how I showed my love for you: I loved your ancestor Jacob, but I rejected his brother, Esau, and devastated his hill country. I turned Esau’s inheritance into a desert for jackals.’”

Why not Abraham, to whom God gave the promise? Or Isaac and Esau?

God chose to use Jacob and Esau to demonstrate his love. The first time God refers to Jacob and Esau, he refers to them as nations, not individuals.

Beware if we do not see or sense God’s correction in our lives. When was the last time we allowed the Scriptures to teach and correct us?

2 Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”

Correction never leaves us hobbled; it leaves us equipped.