I was compelled to reflect about the importance of a formal membership process to a closely knit gospel community.
A person may have said "the sinner's prayer", and perhaps even completely understood the implications of what he had uttered. However, there may be a disconnect between the worldviews of the modern-thinking generation of baby boomers, and the postmodern-thinking millennials. To assume that the youth or young adult will fully trust his assigned church leader/discipler with the respect as the "Lord's anointed" is perhaps an intellectual step of faith.
I believe that I am leaning more toward the practice of discipline to come after formal membership and discipleship, the latter of which goes beyond a structured series of lessons on doctrine. Man-made programs are powerless to make a Christian out of a sinner. We are less interested in being told what the bible says or how we should live, but would be compelled to imitate somebody who models a lifestyle that is synonymous to the faith he professes. I suggest that the cry of every person's heart is for discipleship by an authentic spiritual father.
Furthermore, possibly the way to see the lives of Christians more closely aligned with Christ's lies in a pursuit of the community of the Acts 2 church. Then there probably would not need to be an painful cajoling or arrowing of unwilling members to do anything for the church or for the gospel.
From Page 57 of Center Church
"Our truth-allergic, experience-addicted populace wants transformation but doesn't want the loss of freedom and control associated with submitting to authority within a committed community. Many "converts" seem to make decisions for Christ but soon lose their enthusiasm because they are offered quick programs for follow-up and small group fellowship rather than a lifelong, embodied experience of community. Many churches do not even have process for becoming a member. As a result, converts' lives are often not visibly different from those in the culture around them."
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