The Meaning of Church Membership - Fr. Gregory - May 18, 2025

In today’s sermon, Fr. Gregory focuses on the Epistle reading, which says, “For a whole year they met with the church, and taught a large company of people; and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians.” He addresses the question, “What does it mean to be a Christian and a church member?,” with three key points.First, we must resolve to be functioning church members, understanding our roles in the divine organism that is the church. To function properly, we must have an attitude of giving rather than receiving.Second, we must resolve to be a unifying church member, avoiding gossip and showing genuine love for one another. By this, we show that we are truly Christ’s disciples.Finally, we must treasure our church membership as a gift, a precious gift that Christ came and died to give us.Fr. Gregory concludes with a powerful quote from Tertullian, who said, “One Christian is no Christian.” In other words, there is no such thing as a solitary Christian.