February 16, 2011

Church involvement: What is a healthy church member? by Anyabwile

Today I'm adding What is a healthy church member? by Thabiti M. Anyabwile to the Master Reading List under the category of Committing to Church (Available from Amazon).

Membership of an organisation can be difficult (think professional accreditation bodies) or all too easy (think McDonalds VIP customer).  Some people think membership at a church should be in the 'easy' category.  After all isn't the church there to serve you, just like McDonalds?

Anyabwile's book demonstrates that membership of a church requires diligence and commitment.  He suggests ten marks of what a healthy church member looks like: expositional listener; biblical theologian; gospel saturated; converted; evangelist; committed; discipline seeker; growing disciple; humble follower; and prayer warrior.

Each mark has a short, easy to read chapter devoted to it.  Firstly the mark under discussion is defined and then a case made for including it on the list.  Then practical advice is usually given on how to cultivate the mark.  An added bonus is that each chapter ends with some recommended reading on the mark, in case your stomach is growling for more.

Do you want to be like Christ and serve yourself and others through at a local church?  Meditate on Anyabwile's wise counsel and you and your church will reap the benefits.

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