Throughout history, special relationships have been set apart by the taking of vows. A vow is a "confession" regarding one's participation in a given institution, typically used in three divinely sanctioned institutions: the church, the state, and the family.

According to Romans 10:9, one becomes a Christian when "you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead." This confession, along with the elders' responsibility to "watch over the flock of God," forms the foundation of church membership.

Church membership is a good thing - it sets people apart into a special relationship with each other, where terms are clear and loyalties for mutual benefit are expressed and preserved. It's simply saying: "I confess my faith in solidarity with you so as to enjoy the mutual support of one another."