Why Join a Church?
A defense of and old-fashioned idea.
Ben Patterson
October 1, 1984
He was a Christian, a pillar in the community, a world-renowned physician, an exemplary family man, and he was elected to serve a three-year term as elder. I was just out of seminary at the time, a new member of the church staff. One evening my wife and I were invited to his home for dinner. During our time together, he confided to me that he really didn't have time to attend the elder meetings, but he thought that was excusable, given his demanding schedule. What was important, he said, was that his name be connected with the church. I admit that sounds awfully conceited of him, but at the time it didn't seem so. He was such a gentleman. He finished his three years attending less than a fourth of the meetings. A new slate of elders was elected. One evening about three months after his term had ended, this gentleman showed up at an elder meeting. Everyone was glad to see him but a little puzzled over why he was there. Finally, someone asked him. His brow furrowed as he said, "This is the night we meet, isn't it?" The others in the room began fumbling for a discreet way to inform him that his term had expired. When I heard about the incident, I had a good laugh. Then I got mad. I had bought his line about the main thing being the association of his good name with the church. Now it came to me that his attitude denied just about everything the New Testament teaches not only about eldership but also about the body of Christ. It was then and there I decided that if I ever got a shot at being a senior pastor myself, I would quickly put some teeth back into being an elder as well as a church member. I have had my chance these nine years and have worked hard at it. I am now more convinced than ever that congregations should make membership ...
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