How Do I Become a Member?

A biblical picture of belonging, baptism, purpose, and participation

Pastor Eric Burton
The Sycamore Church
Sunday, September 20, 2026

The Big Idea

Church membership is more than putting your name on a list. It is being joined to Christ, added to His body, and showing up to serve.

·         Believe the good news about Jesus.

·         Repent and be baptized.

·         Belong to the body of Christ.

·         Use your gifts so the whole body grows.

Acts 2:40–47

More Than Signing Up

Membership is not a “no commitment” subscription.

At a club, your attendance may affect only you. In the church, your presence matters because God has given you something to contribute to the body.

Being a member means being added, signing up, and showing up.

How Are We Added?

“Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.”

Acts 2:41

·         The Lord is the One who adds people to the church.

·         Baptism marks our entry into the body.

·         Every believer shares the same Spirit.

See also 1 Corinthians 12:13 and Acts 2:47.

The Church Gathers

The church is an assembly of believers in a common place. Assembly is not passive—it points to action.

Change does not happen because you signed up. Change happens when you get up and show up.

·         Come out of the old way of living.

·         Step into a new way of life.

·         Participate in what God is doing through His people.

Who You Join Matters

Paul challenged the Corinthian belief that choices made with the body did not affect the spirit. His point is direct:

“Your bodies are actually parts of Christ.”

1 Corinthians 6:15–17

Who you connect to affects you. The person joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.

Every Member Has a Function

“If the foot says, ‘I am not part of the body because I am not a hand,’ that does not make it any less a part of the body.”

1 Corinthians 12:15

·         Your place in the body is not determined by self-evaluation.

·         Your function matters even when it feels unnoticed.

·         Do not underestimate the position God has given you.

Your Gift Helps the Body Grow

“As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy, growing, and full of love.”

Ephesians 4:16

Membership is an opportunity to use what God has entrusted to you.

Use your gifts well to serve one another. 1 Peter 4:10

What Did Peter Proclaim?

1.      God affirmed Jesus through miracles.

2.      God raised Jesus from the dead.

3.      David believed in Him.

4.      The prophet Joel foretold the outpouring of the Spirit.

5.      Jesus has poured out His Spirit.

6.      God has made Jesus both Lord and Messiah.

7.      Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Your Next Step

Believe. Repent. Be baptized. Belong. Serve.

Jesus is still adding people to His church today.

Where is God calling you to show up and use your gift?