Christians are not meant to be alone. In fact, the first Christians were devoted to getting together (Acts 2:42), and the book of Hebrews actually tells us plainly that we are not to be “neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Heb. 10:25).
As such, we are a people who gather on the Lord's Day to worship God and fellowship with one another.
Here are some reasons why you should join a local church.
Hebrews 13:17 - Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
As a Christian, you are to obey and submit to your leaders whom God has placed over you. Every Christian needs the blessing of having pastors who care for them and who are willing to "reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching" (2 Timothy 4:2). This isn't possible if you are not committed to a local church. By becoming a member, you are agreeing to obey and submit to the leadership who is seeking to keep watch over your life.
Scripture is filled with "one-another" commands. None of these can be obeyed if you are not part of a local church and you cannot receive any of the blessings that these commands were intended to give you. It is only within the context of a fellowship of believers that you can experience the following:
At any time, you can attend one of our Membership Matters classes that we host repeatedly throughout the year. Here is where you will learn about the history of the church, our doctrine, vision, ministries, and ways you can serve. It is also a good time to get to know the pastors and to ask any questions you have. This class is required for church membership.
Upon completing the Membership Matters class, you are welcome to come down at the end of our Sunday morning service during our time of response to let us know you would like to become a member. We will present your decision before the church and you will be officially welcomed as a member of LABC.