Does local church membership matter? If so, how much exactly?

Although the Bible does not contain an explicit command to formally join a local church, the biblical foundation for church membership permeates the New Testament. This biblical basis can be seen most clearly in (1) the example of the early church, (2) the existence of church government, (3) the exercise of church discipline, and (4) the exhortation to mutual edification.

In this sermon series on church membership, Pastor Ronald H. Gann explains how living out a commitment to a local church involves many responsibilities, including corporate fellowship, stewardship, and service. Simply put, membership matters!