Church membership has never gotten anyone into heaven. But this doesn't mean it's unimportant to be committed to a local church. I once said in a group, "I think every believer should join a church," to which a Christian couple replied, "But we are not joiners."
Such a response is contrary to the teaching of the New Testament. True, the Bible doesn't command believers to "join" a church, because they are already members of the church, the body of Christ (Eph. 1:22-23). But the Bible does instruct Christians to be actively involved in a local group of believers. This includes identifying with Christ and His people through baptism, the Lord's Supper, exercising one's spiritual gifts, studying God's Word, fellowshiping, praying together, and being accountable to one other (Acts 2:41-47; 1 Cor. 11:26; Heb. 10:24-25; 13:7,17; 1 Pet. 5:5).
Each local church is the body of Christ in miniature. Thus, the church is more than an organization; it is a living organism, manifesting Christ to the world (1 Cor. 12:12-31).
Commitment to and active fellowship in a local church is biblical. Christ willingly identified with us by bearing our sin in His own body. Shouldn't we be willing to identify with His body by uniting with a local group of His people? — Dennis J. De Haan
The church, a living body, containing all the parts—
It lives, it moves, it functions, and touches many hearts;
When each part is committed to do the Savior's will,
His members are united, His purpose they fulfill. —Fitzhugh
The church is a living body and must have working parts.