Hot take: If you’re a Christian engaged in public ministry (speaking, writing, singing, etc.), you should tell us what church you belong to in your bio.

At least 5 reasons for this…

(THREAD)

1) Your local church is a major aspect of your identity. Your association with that particular body of believers makes you, in part, *who* you are. If your bio includes your earthly family, why not your spiritual family too? (1/5)

2) It’s a good example. Church membership is part of basic Christian discipleship. Show others that your church matters enough to you to be included in your bio. It’ll help convey the importance of church. (2/5)

3) The church is where believers publicly affirm one another as belonging to Christ. It’s one thing for you to claim Christ; it’s another to say that this particular embassy of Christ’s kingdom claims *you.* (3/5)

4) It shows that you are under some form of authority. It doesn’t mean your church/elders endorse everything you say or that your ministry is a direct extension of the church’s. But it reveals that you are accountable at least in certain ways to real people somewhere. (4/5)

5) Listing a church on your bio helps your audience know your denominational/theological tradition (arguably even better than your university or seminary, since your education is in the past and your church is present tense.) (5/5)

End soapbox!

Got some really helpful pushback from a thoughtful friend, so let me add that there are other nuanced considerations that might lead someone to not list a church, such as their own safety or the church receiving hostility due to association, etc. It's always more complex!