Biblical church membership is a requirement given us in the New Testament. The following is from our Elder confession of faith concerning everyones duty to join the church:
"We believe, since this holy assembly and congregation is the assembly of the redeemed and there is no salvation outside of it (for she was entrusted with the gospel), that no one ought to withdraw from it, content to be by himself, no matter what his status or standing may be. But all believers are to join and unite with a local church, maintaining the unity of the church.1 They must submit themselves to her faithful instruction and discipline, bending their necks under the yoke of Jesus Christ, and they must edify the brothers and sisters according to the talents which God has given them as members of the same body.2According to the Word of God, it is the duty of all believers to separate from those who do not belong to the church and to join this assembly wherever God has established it. They should do so even if death or physical punishment might follow.3 All therefore who draw away from the church or fail to join it are in sin."
- Acts 2:41
- Ephesians 4:11–16
- 2 Corinthians 6:14–18, 1 Peter 2:11–12
Before purchasing a single soul by His blood, Jesus gave us commands concerning life within His church (Matthew 18). It is not hyperbole to say that Christ died for His church, something that should make us look hard at what we expect from a church and church membership.