A.W. Tozer emphasizes the distinction between membership in the local church and the universal church, arguing that true membership requires a spiritual rebirth and acceptance of Christ. He critiques the practice of allowing anyone to join a church without proper spiritual transformation, asserting that one must first be part of the universal church, which Jesus redeemed with His blood. Tozer stresses that accepting Christ inherently means accepting His people, as the church is the body of Christ. He encourages believers to seek the Shepherd by being among His flock, reinforcing the idea that rejecting the church is akin to rejecting Christ Himself.