We are the body...#notacountryclub

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.  For we were all baptized by  one Spirit so as to form one body...  If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. - 1 Corinthians 12:12-13a; 26-27

Joel Patton preached the first of a 6-week series entitled "I Am A Church Member," based on a book by the same name from Thom Rainer. If you are interested in reading this book, see me, your local bookstore, or get more info here. 


Today I wanted to remind you of the first pledge that was introduced yesterday and leave you with some questions for your personal reflection:


The First Pledge:

“I am a church member. I like the metaphor of membership. It’s not membership as in a civic organization or a country club. It’s the kind of membership given to us in 1 Corinthians 12: “Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it” (1 Cor. 12:27). Because I am a member of the body of Christ, I must be a functioning member, whether I am an “eye,” an “ear,” or a “hand.” As a functioning member, I will give. I will serve. I will minister. I will evangelize. I will study. I will seek to be a blessing to others. I will remember that “if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it” (1 Cor. 12:26).”**

Questions for you and your family:

1. How is the "love chapter" in 1 Corinthians 13 related to church membership (remember, it directly follows Paul's teaching on membership in chapter 12)? 

2. Joel said, "The concept of an inactive church member is an oxymoron." The question should never be if you should be serving your church, but to ask yourself and God is prayer is: "How can I best serve my church?" If you are not currently actively serving in the church, are you willing to ask God that question?


3. Joel said (paraphrased), "If you are gifted to do something and are not doing that thing, you are handicapping the church." Where are you gifted and how can you best use those gifts in service to Christ within the church? 


Thom Rainer says that church membership runs counter-culture to country club membership. In a country club you pay dues and expect certain services and privileges. He says, "Do you want to know how to remain a biblical member of a church? Give abundantly and serve without hesitation."**


If you need help assessing where you can best serve, please contact me and I will be happy to discuss opportunities with you.



**Excerpt From: Thom S. Rainer. “I Am a Church Member.” iBooks. https://itun.es/us/nbxQL.l