Soy Miembro De La Iglesia: La Actitud Que Marca La Diferencia (2013) - Plot & Excerpts
Thom Rainer's I am a Church Member: Discovering the Attitude that Makes the Difference is a beautiful little book. It's deceptively simple, too. Sure you can read it in an hour or so, but if you absorb it, this book will challenge you. At its heart is a vision of what church membership is and why it matters so much. There are plenty of books that help us understand what it means to be a pastor. Rainer helps us understand what it means to be a member, drawing on deep biblical themes in a rare little book that every pastor, and every member, needs to read. Rainer begins by highlighting the demise of churches, and pinpoints why he thinks that demise is happening: "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" (p. 5). We treat church membership more like country club memberships, with "privileges and perks". Instead, Rainer demands, God "placed us in churches to serve, to care for others, to pray for leaders, to learn, to teach, to give and in some cases to die for the sake of the Gospel" (p. 6).Biblical church member involves six steps (each of the remaining six chapters) that require real commitment:1. I will be a functioning church member. 2. I will be a unifying church member. 3. I will not let my church be about my preferences and desires. 4. I will pray for my church leaders. 5. I will lead my family to be healthy church members. 6. I will treasure my church membership as a gift. Each chapter includes questions for study and a pledge or commitment that church members can sign. I am a Church Member is a great book for "new member" classes and for all members. It's a real resource for pastors. Don't miss having this treat on your shelves. _________________I received a free copy of this book from B&H Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review. "Healthy church membership means you find your joy in being last, instead of seeking your way and being first" (pg. 73).I have grown up in church but I was never explicitly told how to behave as a functioning church member. This book clearly spells out 6 key characteristics of a healthy member.1) Be a functioning member - the church is like a body. All its parts have an essential function. My first job as a member of this body is to be sure that I am doing my function properly (not to whine about another member).2) Be a source of unity. I am responsible for doing all I can, with God's help, to maintain and increase unity within the church. This means that I should reach out of my smaller group of friends in an effort to unite more people in gospel relationships.3) Don't let it be about my preferences and desires. My responsibility in the church is not to make sure that everything is just to my liking. I must allow myself to be inconvenienced and let my preferences go unmet if it is for the same of sharing in the humility and servanthood of my savior.4) Be ever-praying for my pastors. These men have constant demands placed on their time and they are faced with unique traps from the devil. It is my responsibility as a functioning member to pray hard for my pastor to rely on strength from God.5) Be a leader for my family. It is my responsibility to lead my family in serving the church. I happen not to have a family of my own, but I can still set an example for those around me.6) Be thankful for the gift of church membership. Being in a church is a gift that comes along with being saved by grace! It is not a duty or an obligation because it allows me to be a part of the growing bride of Christ.This was a quick read and it was worth the while. It challenged me to consider ways I take church membership and its responsibilities too lightly. I've been given a gift to be involved, and it is such a wondrous opportunity to learn how to humble myself and to serve my brothers and sisters in Christ.
What do You think about Soy Miembro De La Iglesia: La Actitud Que Marca La Diferencia (2013)?
This book should be mandatory reading for everyone wanting to join a Christian church.
—Lisa
Should be required reading for a church members and new Christians.
—Ara
Excellent book on how we should engage ourselves as church members.
—Bakedgrace
I think every church member everywhere should read this book!
—bluekitty1
