Responsible Church Membership: How Churches Exercise the Keys of the Kingdom

Many years ago, I encountered Jonathan Leeman’s insightful book on church governance, Don’t Fire Your Church Members. It reinforced my conviction that each church member plays a vital role in congregational health. The local church thrives when every member exercises responsible church membership—a principle deeply rooted in Jesus’s teaching.

Jesus’ instruction in Matthew 18 builds upon his earlier dialogue with Peter in Matthew 16:13–20. When Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter responded with that glorious confession: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (16:15–16). Jesus affirmed that this confession came by divine revelation, not human insight. According to 1 Corinthians 12:3, Peter’s confession proved his regeneration—his heart of stone had been replaced with a heart of flesh.

Through the Holy Spirit’s work, Peter was brought into union with Christ and made a member of his body (1 Corinthians 12:13). Jesus then declared, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). This marks the first time in history that the body of Christ is called “church”—an assembly called out from the unbelieving world to confess Jesus Christ as Lord.

Peter wasn’t the foundation; Jesus was. But Peter would be instrumental in laying this foundation (Ephesians 2:19–20), as we see throughout Acts. The confession and the confessor together form the foundation upon which Jesus builds his church—the what and the who of the gospel.

Jesus then gave Peter a profound responsibility: “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (16:19). Peter wasn’t the first pope; he was the first church member, entrusted with stewarding the keys of the kingdom.

These keys represent the content and confession of the gospel. Just as Peter’s right confession granted him entry into the kingdom, so must everyone else who enters possess the same faith. Significantly, in Matthew 18:18, Jesus extends this responsibility to all disciples using the plural “you.” Every church member shares responsibility for guarding the gospel.

The kingdom of God is his rule on earth through local churches—communities where Christ’s lordship is revealed and honoured. The kingdom’s wellbeing depends upon how well church members steward these keys: the what, the who, and the how of the gospel.

Each member shares in this stewardship. Paul’s urgent warning to the Galatians illustrates this: “Even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8). Every member must know the gospel and be a discerning hearer. This doesn’t mean becoming heresy hunters, but it does require doctrinal vigilance.

We apply the what of the gospel to affirm the who of the gospel. Members bear responsibility to know applicants for membership, to hear their testimonies, and to assess whether they genuinely confess Jesus Christ as Lord. This isn’t merely an elder’s duty—it belongs to the entire congregation.

Matthew 18:15–20 addresses how the gospel practically functions in church life. Jesus instructs individual members to assume personal responsibility for addressing sin: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone” (Matthew 18:15). If unresolved, the matter escalates to involve witnesses, then the church corporately.

While every member participates, the pastoral epistles indicate that elders bear primary responsibility for maintaining gospel order. Paul writes that overseers must manage God’s household well (1 Timothy 3:4–5, 14–15). Acts 20:28 confirms that the Holy Spirit appoints elders to shepherd the church. Therefore, elders lead the congregation in faithfully stewarding the keys of the kingdom—the what, the who, and the how of the gospel.

This represents a partnership: Elders must not dismiss church members, and church members must not dismiss their elders.

There are several practical ways in which church members must exercise their responsibility.

The Church Budget: This illustrates mutual responsibility. God supplies finances through the congregation; elders direct collection and distribution; the congregation assists and approves the budget. When members approve the budget, they commit to supplying the needed income and supporting the church’s gospel ministry.

Staying Well-Informed: Elders must keep the congregation informed about church life and ministry. However, the congregation must actually consume this information. If members don’t read messages, articles, or announcements, they bear the responsibility for now knowing the information. That is why attending members’ meetings is essential. That is why engaging with church communication is crucial.

Appointing and Supporting Elders: The congregation bears responsibility for who serves as elders. Each member must evaluate candidates according to 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, and interact with both the candidate and existing elders. But this doesn’t end at appointment—it must continue. Paul instructed the Thessalonians: “We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labour amongst you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work” (1 Thessalonians 5:12–13).

The word translated “respect” literally means “to know.” Get to know your leaders. While elders should not be unapproachable, members should not keep themselves at arm’s length either. Elders aren’t mind readers—so engage with your elders!

Since Jesus is building the church, it must be important. Since he’s building it and it will overcome even death itself, we must prioritise it. Since he builds using living stones (1 Peter 2:5), every Christian is a connected stone, not a rolling one.

Let us exercise responsible church membership together, faithfully using the keys of the kingdom for the good of God’s kingdom, to his honour and glory.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​