Church Membership and Participation in the Lord’s Supper

First of all, consider that membership in a local church is a necessary part of scriptural Christian living. In Hebrews 13:17, God commands, “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.” This command is not describing some vague sort of relationship. It is describing a relationship that is clear-cut both to the sheep and to the shepherds.