The document discusses the importance of church membership and participation in a local church body. It provides several reasons why membership is important based on biblical principles: 1) Membership in a local church is implied in Scripture as people are called to gather together, be baptized as a declaration of faith, and submit to church leadership and discipline. 2) The local church is meant to help believers grow in faith and become like Christ by equipping members for service, building up the body of Christ, and pursuing unity in the faith. 3) Christ gave the church servants of the word like pastors and teachers to help members mature and know Christ more fully in order to display his love to both other members and the