Agree with Gas but didn't want to say it above.

I never understood closed communion, seems contradictory to me.

This is going to devolve into rancor.

do you believe it's the true body and blood of Christ? If not that's the reason.. We believe that it is and isn't a representation.

There's another angle to consider - If you've been regularly attending and being active in the ministry and becoming a 'familiar face' in the congregation as somewhat 'authoritative' (being an usher),
then the pastor may want/need to have enough identifying info on you as to be able to do whatever background checks necessary per the congregations policies.
I don't know your church's size - but often it is the ushers who keep an eye on youth darting out of the assembly for a bathroom break - and there's usually mandatory training for ushers in larger congregations.
Sad as it sounds, this is a reality of the church surrounded by todays world - and this may just be the pastor taking seriously his role in keeping his flock safe whilst in assembly.

Commitment to attendance and service is pretty much essential to spiritual growth.
As someone said above, the more you learn about God- and yourself- the more likely you are to realize the importance of serving God instead of self.
That doesn't mean you instantly become a member of every committee- or that you no longer value your free time.
But you might just find the more you know, and the stronger your belief, you may choose to do more for others.
Jesus reduced the 10 commandments to 2- Love God and love your neighbor.
Service is an integral element of both.

See Acts 2:38 - 47. The LORD added those who were saved to the Church.

But in 1 Corinthians 12 the Apostle Paul also made it clear that all members are of one body and each part of the body must do its part for the body to operate. Maybe he is just trying to get you plugged in and let the Church reap the benefits of the talents God has given you?

Yep. Doesn’t make a lick of sense.

While I support being a member, I have to believe there are business reasons why the number of church members are useful in securing loans and such. It would be the same for any company that can identify the size of their customer base.

yes, churches are big, high dollar businesses. necessary evil of church.

It isn’t necessary at all.

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