Church Politics
Should Church Membership be automatic upon baptism?I didn't know this (well, sort of, but I've never really thought about it), but most Baptist churches' grant membership automatically after baptism. Honestly, I don't really see a problem if a person is baptized by a x-church, and yet doesn't want to become a member of x-church; however, after reading the scriptures, praying about it, talking to my parents, and advisment from two Ministers, Dr. Rady Figueroa-Roldan and Mary Cantu, my convictions say otherwise.
My Pastor, Nestor Menjivar, is motioning to change the section of our constitution regarding church membership. Traditionally, our church has membership of four ways: through testimony, letter, transfer, and baptism. He believes that we should take a more "contemporary" approach to membership and exclude automatic membership upon baptism, and giving another option (requiring a series of biblical classes or instruction). It's not Biblical, but it's not really anti-biblical either.
My father is a deacon at Principe de Paz. He disagress with Hermano Menjivar, but since the majority of the deacons were in accord with the Pastor's motion, he had to fold and side with the majority. He is a little broken over it, but his duty first and foremost is to uphold harmony, so he really doesn't have much of a choice. Now the approval has already passed with the leaders of the church, and will be brought to the church members in a couple of weeks.
This is my argument. If a person has been ministered by x-church, so as to change their lives completely and accept christ, AND desire to get baptized by x-church...then why wouldn't they want to become a member? Plus, other problems, and possibly division, will arise when these new believers that are baptized are going to want to take part in church duties, responsibilities, leadership, voting, etc., but can't because they are not "official" members (for whatever reason, they chose to wait, weren't ready, or in this case haven't taken an instructional class).
I've read all the references to baptism in the NT, and of course, there is no reference to church membership being linked in any way (obviously, because in biblical times, believers gathered in what we say in spanish celulas). So I must look past the words, and discern the principle behind the message. I find soley, through Christ's own example, Christ's own baptism, not only what baptism means (step of obedience), but also that it signifies the beginning of ministry.
Based on Matthew Chapter 3 (the whole chapter), I find that Christ's ministry begins directly after His baptism; therefore, what ministry can a believer have if he is not commited to his church? Christ, as soon as He was baptized, commited to the church in ministry. He was aware of His mission at 12, and began carrying out in His thirties, directly after baptism. Baptism is a step of obedience, but it's also a very public way of saying "I'm a Christian now and I'm a part of the body of Christ."
Our present churches represent the body of Christ, a community of believers here on earth. We represent a church that suffers with eachother, prays for eachother, rejoices with eachother, etc. (Romans 12:1-21). How can you possibly take part, for the edification of the church, if you are not commited to it? Being baptized by x-church tells me that you agree with the doctrine of x-church, are in accord with the Word, and are ready to commit...so why the second thoughts?
I don't know. I love Hermano Menjivar, and I will always have great respect for him. I've know him for so long, I love his family and am very close to them, he started off as my youth minister way back, and now he is my Pastor. He's always backed me up with school, has always had a good relationship with my family since we started la nueva obra, and completely sincere.
He's definitely not wrong. His intentions are good. And I believe he's just willing to change, from a stauch traditional mindset, if it means growth for the church, and that's why he has decided to make a little bit of ammendments to the constitution...However, changing that part of the constitution might possibly leave more room for division in the church.
Let me know what you think? What are your convictions?
posted by Becca @ 10:03 AM
Comments: 2
