I am a Church Member by Thom Rainer should be required reading for membership in any church that desires to model what true biblical fellowship is meant to look like. I received a copy of this book for free because Dr. Rainer tweeted that he was making several copies available for free to people willing to write a blog review. I have the privilege of being a member at a church that is truly seeking the type of gospel fellowship modeled in Acts 2. My family has been a part of Cedarcrest Church for the past 4 1/2 years and we recognize that our role is to contribute…not to consume. The times that our faith has grown the most during our time at Cedarcrest is when we are serving others and giving towards the mission and vision of the church…both the church individually and the church universally.
This book is a very quick read, but one that you will really want to take some time to contemplate. This book would be a wonderful addition to anyone considering church membership or for anyone that needs a refresher about what true Christian community should look like.
I highlighted several things while reading and have posted them below…
- I am suggesting that congregations across America are weak because many of us church members have lost the biblical understanding of what it means to be a part of the body of Christ.
- With a country club membership you pay others to do the work for you. With church membership, everyone has a role or function.
- “So if one member suffers, all the members with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it” 1 Corinthians 12:26 (HCSB)
- Do you know how to remain a biblical member of a church? Give abundantly and serve without hesitation.
- “By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” John 13: 35 (HCSB)
- “to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, accepting one another in love, diligently keeping the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds.” Ephesians 4:1-2 (HCSB)
- “And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is set on fire by hell” James 3:6 (HCSB)
- We will never find joy in church membership when we are constantly seeking things our way.
- Pray for the leadership of the church in a number of ways:
- for spiritual protection
- for protection from moral failure
- for the preaching of the Word
- for their families
- for encouragement
- for physical strength
- for courage
- for discernment
- for wisdom in their leadership
- Our entire attitude is different when we approach membership the biblical way.
- The Bible is clear that we are to be connected to a specific church in a specific context.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through their book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”