Beware of signing a contract to join a church that has a clause that you agree to stay a member for life or for many many years. Why? If and when you decide to leave or quit the church at any time during the contract the church may actually turn around hit you up for fees and services that you accepted from them that could add up to thousands of dollars for breach of contract! And it is legal! Your only choice would be to fight it in court which could end up costing you thousands of dollars in attorney fees.
SUPPLEMENTAL SOURCE: NEW YORK TIMES NEWSPAPER AND MSNBC TV NEW 3/9/10