The entire topic of church membership is one that most evangelicals would prefer to avoid. Even among those who consider themselves 'reformed' you will a spinelessness when it comes to church membership. Many prefer to sit in their mega-church and be anonymous (or at least unaccountable).
To those folk who embrace reformed theology please do yourself a favor by reading Question 45 of the Westminster Larger Catechism:
Q. 45. How doth Christ execute the office of a king?
A. Christ executeth the office of a king, in calling out of the world a people to himself, and giving them officers, laws, and censures, by which he visibly governs them; in bestowing saving grace upon his elect, rewarding their obedience, and correcting them for their sins, preserving and supporting them under all their temptations and sufferings, restraining and overcoming all their enemies, and powerfully ordering all things for his own glory, and their good; and also in taking vengeance on the rest, who know not God, and obey not the gospel.
What's astonishing is that Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, exercises his reign and rule in this age through the lowly institution called the visible church. All across the world He has raised up officers (pastors and elders) to shepherd His people. Moreover, He expects His people to submit to those faithful (yet flawed) officers who serve in His place. This is the bone that most people choke on. They would prefer to change the subject yet there it is in black and white -- you really cannot submit to Christ as King if you are not submitting to the institution that He has ordained to serve in His place.
Dr. R. Scott Clark chimes in with another post in his series on church membership. For all you 'free-agents' out there please read it and think through the implications of keeping your options open.
Are Church Members Free Agents? (pt 2) « Heidelblog
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