I Am a Church Member Introduction

I Am a Church Member: Overview

Before we start, who does not have a copy of the book? Does anyone need a pen or a pencil? We are going to be reading a small portion of the book together, and I am going to encourage you to underline things that stand out to you and to take notes directly in your book. You may want to get a small notebook, dedicated to writing down thoughts about this book.

Goals for this study:

to critically examine what it means to be a church member from God’s point of view

to discuss and generate ideas that will help us become more involved in the church ministry

to find and discuss obstacles of effective church membership

I’d like to start off by asking, “In your opinion, what exactly is a church member?” How would you describe church membership to someone who has no idea what being a church member is?

As we read through this book, read Scripture, and study the points, my goal is that we will each know what biblical church membership is truly all about.

A Tale of Two Church Members

This evening, we are going to read through the Introduction of the book called “A Tale of Two Members” and discuss this as we go along. While we read, follow along and underline anything that stands out to you. Do not be afraid to take notes in the margin of the book. Think of this more as a textbook than a library book. It is totally OK to mark it up if it is going to help you either remember something for our discussion or find something quickly in the future.

Let’s start on page 1.

[Read Introduction until you get to the section The Difference. P.1-4] Discuss:

Did anything stand out to you in this section?

What was the difference between the two members?

Did Liam have valid points?

[Continue reading p.4-6 until The Journey]

What are your thoughts on this section?

[Finish p.6-7]

What are your thoughts on this section?

Anything that you particularly agree/disagree with?

Main Points

Issues like the ones that Liam had may be valid, but they are not the main issue.

The main issue is that many have lost the biblical understanding of what it means to be a church member.

Many church members expect others to care for, feed, and serve them. [Many people want churches to be like their favorite grocery store - a one-stop-shop. We should join churches, not based on what they can do for me, but based on 1- God’s direction, 2-God working in the church.]

Many church members do not like hypocrites, but are unwilling to address their own hypocrisies. [We are quick to point out hypocrites, but we don’t deal with our own hypocrisies. It is easier to deal with the sin of others than it is with our own sin, but we must take into account what Matthew 7:3–5 says:

Matthew 7:3–5 KJV 1900

3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

The proper and biblical way to deal with hypocrites in the church is to follow what Galatians 6:1 says:]

Galatians 6:1 KJV 1900

1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

We should be looking to restore that person.

Many churches are weak because we have turned the meaning of membership upside down. [“What can the church do for me?” Congregations are weak because they have become selfish. Selfishness leads to complaining, complaining leads to not wanting to contribute, not wanting to contribute leads to a further disconnection, and disconnection leads to separation.

The church is not a catering service.]

What Is a Church Member?

We opened with this question, and we will close with this question. We will read and discuss more about what a church member is as we continue through this book, but let’s look at what church membership is not.

Church Membership Is Not about:

Privilege [It is not about how talented you are]

Status [It is not about increasing or maintaining your status in society. Just because you are a banker or a lawyer or a doctor does not mean you will be a great church member. Church membership is not for “networking.”]

Family History [“We’ve been members of this church for ‘x’ generations. We should have more say than others,” or “therefore we are entitled to such-and-such.”

Entitlement [“This is my seat, this is my ministry, this is my ______.”

Selfishness [Feelings of selfish entitlement are destroying churches left and right.]

Church Membership Is about:

The Great Commission [Everything we do should be to help make disciples - from the songs we sing to the fellowships we have.]

Loving [Loving God, loving others]

Serving [Because we love God and others, we seek to serve God and others. We do not seek to be served.]

Meeting other people’s needs [The best way to serve others is to know what their needs are physically, emotionally, spiritually. This will help draw people to Jesus.]

Being a team player [I serve and love and am faithful whether or not I get the solo, whether or not the music is my style, whether or not the sermon is too short or long. I help and serve whether I get to be in charge or not, whether my input is considered or not, and regardless of my preferences. I serve because it is good for the team (the church) and because I believe this church is following Jesus.]

Expectations

Expectations

Read the chapter assigned [at least once before the next session. We will not be reading the chapters during our sessions like we did today with the introduction.]

Take notes about and underline things that stand out to you or could apply directly to our church [If something stands out to you or speaks directly to you or if it is something that you think applies directly to our church, make a note of it.]

Answer each question at the end of the chapter [You may want to get a small notebook. There are some questions that will have longer answers and the space provided might not be enough. Also, a notebook will help you if you need to take notes about the book and the margin space is not big enough.]

Sign the pledge at the end of each chapter [Each pledge deals with the material covered during that chapter. Don’t sign it flippantly. If you cannot sign it, speak to me about your thoughts on it. FYI, I will propose making the items in the pledges at the end of the chapters part of our membership covenant in the near future.]

Be prepared to discuss your notes and answers each week [The best part of these sessions will be the discussion time. Answer the questions after each chapter prior to coming. Bring your book and bring your notes. Discuss your take-aways with us. If God is working on you about something, let that be known to someone. We are a community of believers in Christ, joined together to share the hardships and joys of the Great Commission. We are here to strengthen each other and stand with each other and stand with each other.]

Questions?