How Church Registration Has Hurt the Church.
The registration of church fellowships with the government has, in many ways, done us — the members — a great disservice.
In this article, I explore how registration has led to:
* Divisions among believers,
* A shift in domain and authority, and
* A deep negative impact on discipleship.
1️⃣ Divisions Born from Denominations
Let’s begin with a basic truth:
The government does not register the Church — it registers denominations.
The Church, the body of Christ, is not an organization but an organ — a living, spiritual organism. You can’t point at a building and say, “That’s The Church.” That may be a church building — but not The Church.
Because the Church has no earthly CEO, the government engages what it can control — registered denominations. These have:
* Names,
* Physical addresses,
* Board members,
* And signatures.
And that's where the trouble begins.
We begin to mobilize people toward denominations instead of Christ.
We think of ourselves as separate from other believers just because their gatherings have a different name.
Yet, in the early church, we read of:
* The Church in Ephesus
* The Church that meets at the house of so-and-so
* The persecuted Church
There was unity in simplicity.
There was one body, one baptism, and one Lord (Ephesians 4:4–6).
But today, because of registrations, the government can now target and silence specific congregations.
Registration created visible categories — and with visibility came vulnerability.
2️⃣ A Shift in Domain — Who’s Really in Charge?
Jesus said to Peter in Matthew 16:18:
> “On this rock I will build my Church...”
That’s very intentional language.
He didn’t say:
* Your church
* The government’s church
* The registered church
He said My Church.
He owns it. He runs it. He loves it — to the cross and beyond.
But when we register fellowships under secular authorities, we subtly transfer leadership. The Church begins to operate under a new dominion.
The consequences?
* The government tells us where, when, and how to meet.
* Ministers become licensed officials serving state functions like weddings and funerals.
* We stop our programs whenever they call — because we submitted.
This isn’t just administrative.
It’s spiritual. And we must be aware.
3️⃣ Discipleship Is Delayed
Here’s where it stings most: discipleship has suffered.
Why?
Because earthly authorities count heads, not measure hearts.
They care about registries, not repentance.
Numbers, not nurture.
And so:
* The bigger the congregation, the greater the status.
* The louder the event, the more the recognition.
* The flashier the brand, the more influence.
Meanwhile, our ministers shift focus.
Unknowingly, they build crowds instead of building The Church.
We gained attendance, but lost accountability.
We filled buildings, but neglected filling the temple(people) with Gods spirit.
What Kingdom Value Has Registration Added?
Let’s reflect honestly.
Can you name a Kingdom value directly birthed by registering the Church?
Where has it helped us:
* Preach Christ more?
* Love more sacrificially?
* Send more missionaries?
* Bear more spiritual fruit?
* Pursue holiness?
Registration may have brought organization.
But it has also introduced dependency, distraction, and division.
The early church was persecuted — but it was pure, powerful, and present.
We need to ask:
Are we living as the body of Christ, or just another registered society?
Let’s return:
* To Christ as Head, not registration boards.
* To discipleship, not branding.
* To unity, not institutional rivalry.
Let’s be The Church, not just a church.
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