What does it really mean to belong to a church—not just attend one?

In this episode, we explore Jesus’ words in Matthew 18:15–17 and how they shape the way believers care for one another within the body of Christ. Using playful illustrations from mystery games and the modern college sports transfer portal, we unpack why clarity about “who’s on the team” matters for accountability, restoration, and genuine community.

We talk about:

• Why church isn’t a roster—it’s a family
• How loving correction is meant to win, not shame
• What church membership communicates about commitment and responsibility
• How Romans 12:4–5 and Ephesians 1:4–8 remind us that we belong to one another through Christ

The episode closes with a communion meditation on spiritual siblinghood, shared redemption, and the grace that binds the church together as one body.

If you’ve ever wrestled with what it means to commit to a local church—or why it matters—this conversation invites you to move from “consumer” to family member.

This message explores how the church is designed to carry weight together. Using the picture of a bridge under pressure and the story of the early church in Acts 6, we look at how God’s solution to growth isn’t more burden on a few, but shared responsibility among many. The sermon introduces the heart behind deacons as servants who step in, take ownership, and help the whole body thrive. It’s a call to move from “I’ll handle it” to “we’ll carry it,” so the church can grow beyond the limits it sets for itself.

This message explores what it really means to lead and to follow in the life of the church through the lens of biblical eldership. We reflect on the heart behind spiritual leadership, the weight and responsibility it carries, and the humility it calls for from both elders and the congregation. It’s a reminder that eldership is not about authority for its own sake, but about care, prayer, guidance, and walking closely with the people God has entrusted to the church. Ultimately, this episode points us toward becoming a body where people are known, valued, and spiritually shepherded, not just counted or observed from a distance.