What do you get out of belonging to the church?

I am talking about the church in the proper sense, that is, the body of Christ as expressed in a local body of believers. What should that look like for each individual? While there is no such thing as an ideal church, every church that is dedicated to following Jesus, will demonstrate these benefits to a certain degree.

What benefits do we experience and what is our responsibility, then, to make it happen?

We are all looking forward to our eternal reward but we also have a reward right now as we follow Jesus. Here are six wonderful benefits that we should experience in belonging to the church.

Encouragement

I find this to be a vitally important component of any church. We need encouragement to keep going and the church needs to be a center of encouragement. Our experience of gathering together to worship, learn and fellowship should lift us higher and higher!

Comfort

Life has difficult moments and seasons. During these times we receive active comfort directly from others in the church and passive comfort through the simple practice of the ministry of presence. Knowing someone is there that cares about us brings great comfort as we go through the dark valleys of life.

Love

If there is a supreme descriptor of the church it is love. We are called to love one another. When we all answer that call we receive far more love than we give! This unconditional love is a source of strength and peace for every moment of our lives.

Spirit life and power

Living in the power of the Spirit is transformational. God’s presence through his Holy Spirit allows us to do something we could never do in our own strength. As everyone in the church lives in this power of the Spirit the effectiveness of the church is multiplied. This makes us extraordinarily efficient at producing dramatic change in the life of the church and the world we live in.

Affection

When thinking about this word, think about the compassion of Jesus. That is our best example of what we are to experience in the church. We have the freedom to be vulnerable, knowing we are surrounded by affectionate people.

Sympathy

This is closely related to the affection but brings the quality of mercy to the front. Again, we think about the life of Jesus and the sympathy he demonstrated to the hurting people he encountered. Our wounds and failures and struggles are met with sympathy in the church. This has a profound effect on us in our day to day lives.

Responsibilities of belonging to the church

Participating in the church means we give and receive these great benefits. We also have biblical responsibilities within the church. Here are six of them. I know there seems to be a little redundancy here but, please, bear with me and you will discover why that is so.

Singlemindedness

We are to be united in purpose as we serve in the church. It’s not that we all agree on everything, it’s that we together believe in the work God has called us to do. While we all may have different parts to play we are striving for one goal: fulfilling Christ’s call for us.

Unified love

We love each other because God loves us and empowers us to love one another even when we disagree. No matter what happens, we love. This love is powerful and unconditional. Powered by the Spirit of God, love breaks down barriers, erases hatred and heals brokenness.

Strong unity

Our unity must never be broken. We will continue to follow Jesus, live as he did, work and love just like him! Doing this together is encouraging and empowering.

No selfishness or conceit

Selfishness and conceit are poisonous and contagious! These twin sins have destroyed or damaged many relationships and whole churches. When we allow our own desires to take precedence in our lives and become puffed up it destroys unity. It also encourages others to adopt the same attitude. It must be eradicated from our lives and from the church.

Humility

Who comes first? When we are obedient to God’s direction, we don’t come first. We consider others as more significant. This does not mean we nurture an inferiority complex but that we intentionally place the needs and desires of others ahead of our own. This leads to a unique dynamic within the church. When we are all humble, it allows God to lead us because it takes our desires out of the equation.

Focus on the needs of others

This is a position that is an antidote to the present selfishness in the world. Our culture feeds selfish desires. Nearly every aspect of business, entertainment, communication and commerce thrive when selfish desires are allowed to flourish. In the church, however, we need to focus on the needs of others to stay healthy. Once again, if everyone is doing this, all needs will be met and unity will be strengthened.

Read this

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:1–4 (ESV)

Your Turn

There is no ideal church. We all have room for growth and maturing. What does your church look like? Are you doing your part to make it the church God would have it be? Remember, we are the body of Christ, so we have an imperative to follow Jesus in building a healthy and effective church. Pray and ask God’s Spirit to empower you to begin making this difference today!