I’m a church guy.
I know, you are probably thinking “Duh. You are a Pastor.” But what I mean is that I believe in the primary and critical importance of the church in two things- (1) the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and (2) the growth in spiritual maturity of the Christian. Boiling it down – therefore, I believe every Christian should be a committed member of a local [very important word, more on that soon…], Bible-preaching, gospel-centered Christian church.
Yet, I’m concerned to see this is not a conviction held in the majority. So many Christians consider church almost “optional.” Like – “We’ll get there if we can…unless something else more funner comes along.” [I know…grammar…] Sports. Family days. Sleeping in. Whatever. None of those things are bad in themselves, but what is that saying about our commitment to the local church.
Note I also said “local” church. [Thought I forgot, didn’t you?] I am also concerned with the trend of driving a long distance to get to your church of choice, or just participating in an “internet church.” Why? It completely cuts out your contact with YOUR community. The people you see in the grocery store, Starbucks, kids sports games, etc. Now, of course there may be issues with not having access strong local church – but to that end, I’d say that’s why we need church planters and church revitalizers – not just solutions that cut out community.
Get the impression that I’ve thought about this a lot? I have. Which is why I’m a church planter in my own town. I feel that strongly about it. The church is God’s “Plan A” for salvation [as someone once put] and we are called to participate in it and grow in maturity.
I’m glad that Thabiti Anyabwile
feels the same way and he wrote “What Is a Healthy Church Member?”
In light of my opening monologue, I feel there is a real need for this book – and more like it. We need a return to the commitment to the local church, and less of a consumer mindset. This is on us, folks.
Keeping things linear and straightforward [the way I like ’em], Thabiti gives us 10 marks of a healthy church member. [I hope Dever approved of going past 9 marks?!]
Mark 1: An expositional listener. Ah. To be an expositional lister, the pre-requisite is an expositional sermon. Such a sermon makes the main point of the passage, the main point of their sermon. Needless to say, this is not always the norm. I’m not hating on topical sermons, they have their place for sure, but it’s God’s word…God’s thoughts that we should be hearing, interpreting, and applying. NOT some dude’s man-centered, pragmatic points on “5 Ways to Live Your Best Life Now.” An expositional listener stresses [to the family if applicable] the importance of hearing and applying God’s word – not just on Sunday’s either. In the family, in life Monday-Saturday, in prayer and in submission to it.
Mark 2: A biblical theologian. Yes. Theology. It’s not just for eggheads. Anytime anyone says anything about God they are a theologian. The actual question is – are they a good [accurate = biblical] theologian or not? Thabiti writes “too many Christians have neglected their first great calling: to know their God. Every Christian is meant to be a theologian in the best and most intimate sense of the word.” [27] We know God thru God’s word! This means knowing the Bible, but knowing the bigger picture of the Bible, and how the passage fits into the character and redemptive plan of God. [Yes…even Leviticus…]
Mark 3: Gospel saturated. “The greatest need in the world […and the] church is the gospel.” [39] The gospel is the center of the Bible and it has to be the center of the church. We desire to hear the gospel and preach the gospel to ourselves by walking in it every day. As Thabiti writes “order your life around the gospel.”and let it “animate every area of our lives.”[42] This means intentionally living our lives with gospel purpose – even the restaurants we frequent and the conversations with our friends and neighbors.
Mark 4: Genuinely converted. This seems like a no-brainer, but it’s really not. I don’t pretend to think everyone sitting in church is a converted follower of Jesus. But especially when we are talking about membership – we need to be certain a conversation has actually happened. This means a change – a radical reordering of a life trajectory based on faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Mark 5: A biblical evangelist. The “e” word. [See my other recent book review for help on this] Healthy church members look to spread the good news of the hope of the gospel to those they come in contact with. This includes a biblical understand of evangelism…and before that…a biblical understanding, period. We must have also of course experienced the transforming work of the gospel in our own lives and have a compassion for others to see the same.
Mark 6: A committed member. I know that there are scores of people out there that have been burned by a church. I get that. It hurts. BUT, that can’t mean that we divorce ourselves from the primary way God designed to spread the hope of the gospel and grow in maturity. There aren’t any perfect churches, but membership is super important and if you are a member – be committed. Thabiti gives a great list of what that looks like: attend regularly, seek peace, edify others, warn/admonish others, pursue reconciliation, bear with others, prepare for the ordinances, and support the work of ministry thru financial giving and working hard. [68-70] Anyabwile doesn’t pull any punches here “to fail to associate ourselves in a lasting and committed way with the Head of the church by joining his body is surely a sign of ingratitude, whether from an uninformed or a dull heart.” [70] #ouch.
Mark 7: Seeks discipline. As in not punishment, but correction. Aren’t we all endeavoring to live lives that are worthy of the name Christian here? Isn’t that a thing still? This isn’t easy, but it is necessary. Thabiti breaks this up into two categories based on 2 Timothy 3:16 – formative discipline [teaching, training] and corrective [rebuke, correction] [75]
Mark 8: A growing disciple. The author writes “this is speculation on my part, but it may be the case that the most chronic problem facing churches and Christians is the lack of consistent spiritual growth and progress in discipleship.” [83] Ephesians 4:15 instructs us to ‘grow up in every way…’ In many other places we are instructed to be mature. Folks, the best way to do this is within the local church!
Mark 9: A humble follower. God is a God of order. Pastors/Elders lead the congregation and the congregation follows. Not like mindless sheep, but as committed participants. And Pastors and Elders: This falls on US. “A healthy church member patterns his or her life after the godly lifestyle of the elders of the church.” [101]
Mark 10: A prayer warrior. Pray for everything – the effectiveness of the church’s gospel work, the Pastor’s sermons, the Elders leading, the needs of the body. We show our dependance on God thru prayer.
Even if you aren’t a reader – [which you NEED to be] you can get thru this little book. Then take these ideas and dig in to a solid local church and see what God does!
Mike Ruel 