Recently our church set aside one Sunday as a “Membership Celebration Day.” This was not a last minute idea but rather the culmination of several major moves that God has used to direct us. First, before I came to serve CEFC as Teaching Pastor, the church adopted a Philosophy of Ministry. This foundational document contains 13 principles upon which the church will be directed. “A Biblical Understanding of Membership” is point number 7. Second, shortly after I arrived, I asked our elders to join me in a study of church membership, and so we read Leeman’s “Surprising Offence of God’s Love.” Third, as part of our study, we discussed ways to foster understanding, appreciation, and commitment to the local body. Fourth, during this time, we promoted and offered a new membership class for any visitors interested in membership, any long-time attenders who had never formally joined, and we included all of our high school students.
God used all of these components to build an excitement and value for local church membership within our fellowship. As a result, we planned a “Membership Celebration.” It was a real marker in the life and direction of our church. I preached a message on membership from Hebrews 13:17. We introduced 23 new members to our congregation. All of them were introduced by their shepherd, and in turn, each prospective member shared with the congregation why the Lord had brought them to our faith family. All of our members, existing and prospective, read our “Membership Covenant” together. Then, our church body voted to receive the candidates as our brothers and sisters in Christ. To conclude the morning service, we sang “The Church’s One Foundation” together. I was absolutely elated to partake in such a ceremony of community with my local church family. However, the day of “membership” was not over. We returned that evening for a matter of business and for each shepherd group to gather for fellowship and prayer. A full, complete day of recognizing membership, appreciating membership, and practicing membership.
Now here is where the book review begins:
As people exited our worship facility after the morning celebration, each family unit was given a copy of What is a Healthy Church Member? by Thabiti M. Anyabwile. I cannot imagine a better resource to help nurture an environment of healthy membership than this book. I look forward to hearing and seeing the many positive results as our church family begins to read and apply the lessons Thabiti shares in this little, practical, profitable work.
Healthy Church Member is essentially applying Dever’s 9 Marks of a Healthy Church to each individual believer within the local church. After discussing how we as members can implement the 9 Marks in our lives, Thabiti adds the mark of prayer. It is a fitting and wise addition.
As I announced to our church body that we would be giving copies of this book to them, I exhorted them by saying, “Healthy churches are composed of healthy church members.” It’s true. We can pursue a healthy church to no success if we are not a people who are also pursuing biblical health in our own personal lives.
I highly recommend this book to every believer. It’s an easy read in terms of readability. It’s a lifelong read in terms of application to life and benefit to the church.
Pastors, get this one, read it, and pass out as many copies as you can to your flock!
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