Should Churches Investigate Prospective Members? by Dylan Stewart

Many may consider the question presented in this article as absurd, especially considering the plethora of churches who proudly tout the mantra of “come as you as are.” Slogans commonly used such as “God loves you no matter what” and “We don’t judge” are broadcast everywhere among churches who claim to be followers of Christ, yet these mantras and the attitudes behind them have no Scriptural basis. For example, in the first century church at Corinth, there was a man engaged in fornication who was a member of the congregation, and Paul told the Corinthians to withdraw fellowship from him – “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s wife! And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you. For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (1 Corinthians 5:1-5; also consider 2 Thessalonians 3:6). Today, churches who follow this command to withdraw from unfaithful members are deemed outdated, “holier-than-thou,” lacking compassion, etc. However, the Bible is the infallible source of truth, and the truth is that members of a congregation who persist in sin must be disciplined. But what about when it comes to someone hoping to place membership in a congregation? Should churches investigate prospective members, or simply allow anyone to place membership?

There are a few passages that provide the answer to this important question. First, let’s consider what happened to the apostle Paul after his conversion. After, Paul – then Saul – was converted and became a Christian, he tried to join a local church. It is recorded, “And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple” (Acts 9:26). The church did not immediately accept Paul because they knew his background as a persecutor of Christians. It wasn’t until Barnabas spoke on Paul’s behalf and relayed to the church how Paul had not only been truly converted but was also chosen by Christ Himself to preach the gospel did the church accept him – “But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus” (Acts 9:27). This example sounds very different from the “We accept any and every person” attitude of most churches, doesn’t it?

Although it may be more popular and an easier method of growth for a congregation to quickly accept any person who wants to place membership, churches should not hastily accept any member before the overseers (or other people appointed to investigate) do their due diligence. 1 Timothy 5:22 teaches this point in principle. Paul commanded, “Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.” We ought not to extend the “right hand of fellowship” to someone before we ensure that person is striving to live faithfully before God (Galatians 2:9), because if we are not careful we may wind up becoming a partaker in someone else’s sins simply by being entering fellowship with a person who is not living in accordance with sound doctrine. As 2 John 9-11 states, “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.” If we do not properly investigate prospective members and, as result of our ignorance, put ourselves in fellowship with people not living in accord with sound doctrine (for example, a person living in an adulterous marriage [see Matthew 19:9]), then we wind up doing the exact opposite of what Romans 16:17 requires: “Note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.”

In Ephesians 5:8-11, Paul – speaking to Christians – explains, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” If a church blindly accepts people as members without investigating their background, marital situation, previous religious activities, etc., then they are at risk of being in fellowship with a person who practices “unfruitful works of darkness.” The congregation would be very similar to the church in Corinth whom Paul rebuked in 1 Corinthians 5 for being in fellowship with a person who had become unfaithful. So, as unpopular as it may be, the Scriptures plainly teach that churches should investigate people who desire to place membership. If we do otherwise, we act contrary to the Word of God.