Why Membership?

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching. [Heb 10:25]

The writer of Hebrews made it very clear that the church was to assemble–to meet together.  And the purpose was to encourage each other, not build some institutional empire.  Involvement is by everyone, not just a few select leaders up front providing a Christian performance.  Hebrews 10:25 does not suggest mandatory membership, but active church membership complies with what Hebrews 10:25 suggests.

Membership is not a badge of holiness or righteousness.  Just because a person is a member of a church does not make him more spiritual than someone who is not. What membership implies is commitment and this commitment is on two levels: personal and church.

Personal Commitment
Membership is a personal commitment to encourage others in their Christian life.  This includes praying and interceding for them regularly; witnessing to them what you have seen and experienced; teaching them what you have learned; and blessing them with what you have been blessed with. Why do we need this interaction?  We are Christian and we are human.
 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. [Gal 6:2]

Membership is also a personal commitment to allow others to encourage you.  The church membership you select is your choice of what group of people you want to encourage you.  Of course, if you don’t want encouragement in your Christianity, avoid membership of any kind: don’t join, don’t show up, and then don’t expect the church to be a mind-reader and know you need help when you have been consistently rejecting her.

If you want to learn Russian, you need to be around people who speak Russian.  But you also need to be around people who can translate it for you.  Similarly, if you want to learn Christianity, you need to be around people who practice Christianity.  But you also need to be around people who remember what non-Christianity is like so they can encourage you and translate it for you.

At Iron Range Christian Center, our “official” membership is your signed commitment to basic Christian principles, not some arbitrary, social, appearance-of-holiness, performance attributes historically used by some churches.  However, your membership, or desire for membership, suggests that you want to be like, be a part of, be associated with, and be identified as part of the body of Christ known as Iron Range Christian Center. This suggests that you have an interest in accepting and practicing the teachings of IRCC.  If you personally despise, ridicule, ignore, avoid or consciously go against the Membership Oath you have signed, your membership is meaningless.  If you consciously avoid and ignore the encouragement IRCC offers through meetings, mailings, e-mailings, or other forms of personal contact–and you refuse to intercede on behalf of the church, your membership may also be meaningless– why bother?

However, if you fail in some aspect of Christian living, remember the oath you have signed, believe in it, and the church can help encourage you, if you let them.
 “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.” (Heb 3:13).

Church Commitment
With membership, the church body has made a commitment to you by name–you and your family.  We know you by name.  We know where you live.  We know when your birthday is.  We probably know where you work and maybe even some of your hobbies. This is personal.  And each of us takes it personally.  When you hurt, we hurt.  When you rejoice, we rejoice.  When you fail, we will not abandon you.  When you succeed, we will be blessed by you.

We will not discard your membership for political or performance issues.  Everyone’s membership is re-confirmed annually, anyway.  Continuity of membership is not based on attendance, money, or opinions, but on your own commitment to basic Christian teaching as presented by IRCC.  If you are struggling with sin, we will intercede on your behalf.  We believe in the sanctifying power of Holy Spirit.  If you choose sin and consistently persist in sin as defined by the Bible–we will consign you to the buffeting of Satan that your soul will be saved. At some point in time, you will change and desire the encouragement available from the church.  If you abandon us, the Holy Spirit knows where you are physically, spiritually, and emotionally and He will tell us how to pray for you.  Your membership is our commitment to intercede for you personally.  We do not know the whole world by name–only God does–but we will know you by name if you let us.

Yes, there is church discipline defined by Christ, Paul, and Peter, and if needed, that will be done.  But church discipline is the last resort against individuals who distort the message of the Gospel to their own personal advantage: those who have come into the church to deceive others; those who abuse new Christians in ways that cause them to loose faith.  It is oriented towards leadership in the church, not struggling Christians. Church discipline, excommunication, or simply suspending membership in the church is never to be used for political reasons or personal performance struggles.

Should you join?


Why not join us?  True, we might disappoint you, but then again, maybe we won’t--especially if you help us.


But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today,
so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
Hebrews 3:13 NIV

Iron Range Christian Center
P.O. Box 282
Ironton, MN 56455-0282

For pastoral care or additional information, call 218-838-6842

Affiliated with World Bible Way Fellowship