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I Am A Church Member 1
I Am a church Member
January 19, 2014Montwood church of Christ
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Do y
ou
feel an
y p
ers
on
al
resp
on
sib
ility
to t
he
con
gre
gati
on
th
at
you a
re a
m
em
ber
of?
Do y
ou
feel a
ny re
sponsib
ility
to co
ntrib
ute
to th
e w
ork o
f th
at co
ng
reg
atio
n?
I Am A Church Member 2
Sunday School Rules1. This is not a lecture series2. Participation is expected3. Questions and comments are welcome4. Gifts will be given (if earned) or at the
discretion of the class facilitator5. Have fun and love one another
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I Am A Church Member 3
I Am a Church Member90% of churches are declining• Less than 20% of Americans attend church• Hawaii is the only state where church growth is outpacing population growth• In 2050, the percentage of the U.S. population attending church will be almost half of
what it was in 1990.
66% of the Builder Generation (those born prior to 1946) are Christians• Spend regular time in private devotional activity• Have a strong sense of belonging to their denomination• Be involved in church-based community service, justice or welfare activities• Be involved in community-based service, care or welfare activities
15% of the Millennial Generation (born 1980-2000) are Christians• High Desire for Relationships, Doctrinally Serious and Community Focused• Will check facts of church life (smart phone)• Shaping the church of the future
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I Am A Church Member 4
Group Exercise (WERP Analysis)
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WERPAnalysis
Why Weak Congregations?Why Weak Congregations? Expectations Upon Joining ChurchExpectations Upon Joining Church
ResponsibilityResponsibility PrivilegesPrivileges
R P
W E- Robust SCM processes supported
- Region governance (business growth in EMEA)- Regional SCM support – build team of regional experts (task force and process audit)-
- Lack of experienced people being able
- HP strategic decisions – hard stops (VMI provider, ELF project, RCTO forwarder, Rationalization projects)-
I Am A Church Member 5
What Does the Bible Say About the Church?
Church
House
Soldiers
Bride
Body
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1 Peter 2:4-5 – (House)• Living stones /
Spiritual house – Ephesians 2:20-22
• Holy Priesthood – 1 Peter 2:9
• Spiritual Sacrifices – Rom. 12:1, Heb. 13:15-16
• One loose stone can cause the foundation to crumble
2 Timothy 2:3-4 (Soldiers)• Ephesians 6:10-18 – Full
Armor of God• Ephesians 6:12 – Our
Enemy Defined• 1 Timothy 6:12 – Fight the
good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Ephesians 5:25-27 (Bride)• Ephesians 5:23 – Christ
is the head – submit to Christ
• 1 Corinthians 7:10 – Cleave to Christ
• 2 Corinthians 11:2-3 – Don’t cheat on Christ
1 Corinthians 12:12-13 (Body)• 1 Corinthians 12:27 –
Christ is the head• 1 Corinthians 12:24-26
– No division, all have a responsibility, suffer and rejoice together
1. Just as stones in a house, we must do our part to support the work of the church.
2. We must never be guilty of becoming a deserter from the army of Christ.
3. We must never become unfaithful to Christ the church's bridegroom
4. We must all work together under the direction of our head for the good of the body of Christ.
I Am A Church Member 7
I Am a church Member
January 26, 2014Montwood church of Christ
CNH
Do y
ou
feel an
y p
ers
on
al
resp
on
sib
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to t
he
con
gre
gati
on
th
at
you a
re a
m
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of?
Do y
ou
feel a
ny re
sponsib
ility
to co
ntrib
ute
to th
e w
ork o
f th
at co
ng
reg
atio
n?
I Am A Church Member 8
Sunday School Rules1. This is not a lecture series2. Participation is expected3. Questions and comments are welcome4. Gifts will be given (if earned) or at the
discretion of the class facilitator5. Have fun and love one another
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I Am A Church Member 9
What Does the Bible Say About the Church?
Church
House
Soldiers
Bride
Body
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1. Just as stones in a house, we must do our part to support the work of the church.
2. We must never be guilty of becoming a deserter from the army of Christ.
3. We must never become unfaithful to Christ the church's bridegroom
4. We must all work together under the direction of our head for the good of the body of Christ.
Where did the church come from?Matthew 16:16-18 - 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
I Am A Church Member 10
the church, the Body• 1 Corinthians 12:12-20
– Many members, one body, vs. 12, 14, 20– Baptized into one Spirit, one body, vs. 13– Each part of the body (church member), has a
function, vs 17– Parts of the body must work together to
function, vs 19
• 1 Corinthians 12:25-26– No division (Mark 3:25)– Must care for one another, vs25– Suffer and rejoice together, vs26
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I Am A Church Member 11
…. And the Work (Service)• 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 11
– Varieties of gifts – but the same spirit, varieties of service – but the same Lord and varieties of activities – but the same God empowers them in everyone, vs. 4-6
– These gifts are given for the good of the church, vs. 7
– God gives these gifts as He sees fit and to whom He choses, vs. 11
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Be a Functioning Church Member
…. And the Work (Service)• 1 Corinthians 12:8-10
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Be a Functioning
Church Member
• Knowledge guided by understandingWord of Wisdom• Knowledge of God and His waysWord of Knowledge• Ability to take God at His wordFaith• Ability to restore health to a personGifts of Healing• Ability to alter natural eventsWorking of Miracles• Speaking forth the word of GodProphecy• Insight to another's motives, attitude, purposeDiscerning of Spirits• Ability to speak in different languagesVarious Tongues• Ability to interpret different languagesInterpretation of Tongues
I Am A Church Member 13
…. And the Work (Service)• 1 Corinthians 12:27-28
– Apostles – chosen and commissioned by Jesus himself to establish the churches after his ascension
• Ordained ministers, elders and deacons• apostolic teaching is what prophets are to proclaim and what
teachers are to make plain
• 1 Corinthians 12:29-31 – Everyone and their different gifts contributes to the well-
being of the whole (church body).– Desire the higher gifts
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Be a Functioning Church Member
I Am A Church Member 14
Thom S. Rainer – “The concept of an inactive church member is an oxymoron. Biblically, no such church member really exists.”
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Commit to being a Functioning Church Member
I Am A Church Member 15
I Am a church Member
February 2, 2014Montwood church of Christ
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Do y
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feel an
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to t
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you a
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of?
Do y
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to co
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to th
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reg
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I Am A Church Member 17
Unity of the SpiritEphesians 4:1-6 - I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
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I Am A Church Member 18
Calling• 1:4 - God chose us for himself before the world was
created.• 1:5 - he predestined us to be his children—and that
means heirs of all our Father owns!• 1:7 - he sent Christ to atone for all our trespasses.• 1:12 - we are "destined and appointed to live for the
praise of his glory."• 1:13 - he sealed us with his Holy Spirit to preserve us
forever.• 2:7 - he promises to spend an eternity increasing our joy
in the immeasurable riches of his grace.• 3:10 - he has given us the mission as a church to display
his wisdom, even to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.
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I Am A Church Member 19
Unity of the SpiritEphesians 4:1-6 - I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
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I Am A Church Member 20
Unity – Attained and Maintained
• Unity Attained by Christ– Ephesians 2:13-16
• Unity to be Maintained by Christ’s church– Ephesians 4:11-13– Ephesians 4:2
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I Am A Church Member 21
Unity AttainedEphesians 2:13-16 - 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.
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I Am A Church Member 22
Unity MaintainedEphesians 4:11-13 - And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,
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I Am A Church Member 23
Unity Maintained ContinuedEphesians 4:2 - with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
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I Am A Church Member 24
Unity through Oneness in God
Body
Spirit
Hope
Lord
Faith
Ba
ptism
God
and
Father
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Eph. 4:4-6 -There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
I Am A Church Member 25
Summary1. We have been called2. To maintain the Unity of the Spirit
1. Humility, Gentleness, Patience, Forbearing, Love2. Unity of Faith – shared belief in Christ Jesus3. Unity of Knowledge – shared conviction about
Christ
3. We are One – Body, Spirit, Hope, Lord, Faith, Baptism, God
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Be a Unifying Church Member
Phil 2:2 - complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
I Am A Church Member 26
I Am a church Member
February 9, 2014Montwood church of Christ
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Do y
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feel an
y p
ers
on
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resp
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sib
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to t
he
con
gre
gati
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th
at
you a
re a
m
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of?
Do y
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feel a
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sponsib
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to co
ntrib
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to th
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ork o
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reg
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I Am A Church Member 27
Class Review• What / Who is the church?• Be a Functioning church Member• Be a Unifying church Member• Be a Service Oriented church
Member
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I Am A Church Member 28
Service
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• Luke 6:38 - give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
• Romans 7:6 - But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.
• Galatians 5:13 - For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
I Am A Church Member 29
Service
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Mark 9:33-35 - 33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?”34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”
Our Challenge – Be a Service Oriented church Member
I Am A Church Member 30
Service Oriented ChurchInward Focus
Worship Services, Bible Studies, Pre-school childcare,
Children’s and youth programs and activities, leadership
training, new member classes, discipleship, prayer meetings,
buildings, staff salaries, counseling services, capital
campaigns
Outward FocusCrisis pregnancy help, job counseling, GED classes,
Mothering classes, financial counseling, benevolence, food and clothing pantry, local/nation/international
mission trips, disaster relief, block parties
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Both "inward" and "outward" are important. You must take care of the "base" (inward) in order to have "place" to launch vibrant ministries (outward).
I Am A Church Member 31
Varying Views of Church Membership
GivingServingResponsibilitiesSacrificeOffering
ReceivingServedRights
EntitlementsDues
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Church Country Club
I Am A Church Member 32
Service – Jesus’ Example
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Philippians 2:5-11 - 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
I Am A Church Member 33
“A church that will positively impact the lives of people must be service oriented. A church that has strong relationships, a church that is a high quality church will not only change the lives of people within it, but also the lives of those outside,” – Dr. Roy Notice – President of Jamaica Bible College
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Be a Service Oriented church Member, so we can have a Service Oriented church
I Am A Church Member 34
I Am a church MemberFebruary 16, 2014
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Do y
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to t
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con
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Do y
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to th
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reg
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I Am A Church Member 35
Class Review• What / Who is the church?• Be a Functioning church Member• Be a Unifying church Member• Be a Service Oriented church
Member
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I Am A Church Member 36
Service – Jesus’ Example
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Philippians 2:5-11 - 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
I Am A Church Member 37
10 Dominant Behaviors of Inward Focused Churches
1. Worship wars. One or more factions in the church want the music just the way they like it. Any deviation is met with anger and demands for change. The order of service must remain constant. Certain instrumentation is required while others are prohibited.
2. Prolonged minutia meetings. The church spends an inordinate amount of time in different meetings. Most of the meetings deal with the most inconsequential items, while the Great Commission and Great Commandment are rarely the topics of discussion.
3. Facility focus. The church facilities develop iconic status. One of the highest priorities in the church is the protection and preservation of rooms, furniture, and other visible parts of the church’s buildings and grounds.
4. Program driven. Every church has programs even if they don’t admit it…The problem is not with programs. The problem develops when the program becomes an end instead of a means to greater ministry.
5. Inwardly focused budget. A disproportionate share of the budget is used to meet the needs and comforts of the members instead of reaching beyond the walls of the church.
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I Am A Church Member 38
6. Inordinate demands for pastoral care. All church members deserve care and concern, especially in times of need and crisis. Problems develop, however, when church members have unreasonable expectations for even minor matters.
7. Attitudes of entitlement. This issue could be a catch-all for many of the points named here. The over-arching attitude is one of demanding and having a sense of deserving special treatment.
8. Greater concern about change than the gospel. Almost any noticeable changes in the church evoke the ire of many; but those same passions are not evident about participating in the work of the gospel to change lives.
9. Anger and hostility. Members are consistently angry. They regularly express hostility toward the church staff and other members.
10. Evangelistic apathy. Very few members share their faith on a regular basis. More are concerned about their own needs rather than the greatest eternal needs of the world and community in which they live.
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In almost every behavior above, church members were looking out for their own needs and preferences….You get the picture. I. Me. Myself. Church membership from a biblical perspective, however, is about servant hood. It’s about giving. It’s
about putting others first.
I Am A Church Member 39
“A church that will positively impact the lives of people must be service oriented. A church that has strong relationships, a church that is a high quality church will not only change the lives of people within it, but also the lives of those outside,” – Dr. Roy Notice – President of Jamaica Bible College
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Be a Service Oriented church Member, so we can have a Service Oriented church
I Am A Church Member 40
I Am a church MemberMarch 2, 2014
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I Am A Church Member 41
Class Review• What / Who is the church?• Be a Functioning church Member• Be a Unifying church Member• Be a Service Oriented church
Member• Be a Prayer Warrior for our church
LeadershipCNH
I Am A Church Member 42
I Timothy 3: 1-7 - The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer
must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
• Elder Qualifications1. Above reproach2. Husband of one wife3. Sober minded4. Self-controlled5. Respectable6. Hospitable7. Able to teach8. Not a drunkard9. Not violent, but gentle10. Not quarrelsome11. Not a lover of money12. Manage his own household
well13. Must not be a recent
convert14. Well thought of by outsidersCNH
I Am A Church Member 43
Elder ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities Scripture
Rule I Timothy 5:17; I Thessalonians 5:12-13aGuide / Lead Hebrews 13:7, 17Guard Acts 20:28-31Watch / Admonish I Thessalonians 5:14, Hebrews 13:17
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I Am A Church Member 44
Pray for your church Leadership
• Why Pray for your church leadership?– Pleases God – 1 Timothy 2:1-4– Request for prayer – 1 Thess. 5:12-13, 25– Harshly Judged– James 3:1– Defense against Satan – 1 Peter 5:1-9– Jesus did it for the apostles – Luke 22:31-32– Spiritual wisdom, revelation of knowledge
and understanding – Eph. 1:15-17, Col. 1:9CNH
I Am A Church Member 45
Pray for your church Leadership
• A Practical Example – Acts 12• Acts 12:5• Results
– God sent divine help into the leaders life – Acts 12:7-10
– God protected the leader (divine protection) – Acts 12:11
– The schemes of Satan were thwarted – Acts 12:23– The church was strengthened – Acts 12:24
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I Am A Church Member 46
Pray for your church LeadershipElder Qualification Prayer
Above Reproach (above finding fault) Pray for his attitude
Husband of one wife Pray for their marriage
Sober Minded, Self Controlled, Respectable, Hospitable Pray for his physical & mental health
Able to Teach Pray for the sermons, lessons and advice he gives (wisdom, insight, discernment)
Not drunkard, violent (gentle), quarrelsome, lover of money
Pray that there are no addictions / there is focus only on God above
Manage his own household well Pray for him and his family
No pride or conceit Pray for his spiritual health
Snare of the devil Pray for his protection
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I Am A Church Member 47
Be a Prayer Warrior for our church Leadership
1. Using scriptural backing, explain why the elder’s family is such an important factor in his ministry?
2. What is meant by “above reproach” in 1 Timothy 3:2? Is that standard even possible for the elder?
3. Explain the implications of the devil’s trap in 1 Timothy 3:7.
4. What is the meaning of “outsiders” in 1 Timothy 3:7? Why should they be a concern to church members or pastors?
5. Find some key passages in the Bible where intercessory prayer takes place (someone praying for someone else). Relate those passages to praying for your leadership.
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I Am A Church Member 48
I Am a church MemberMarch 9, 2014
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to th
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Class Review• What / Who is the church?• Be a Functioning church Member• Be a Unifying church Member• Be a Service Oriented church Member• Be a Prayer Warrior for our church Leadership• Lead Your Family to be Healthy church
Members
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I Am A Church Member 50
Lead Your Family to be Healthy church Members
• I Am a church Member – Thom S. Rainer– Story – Love and Serve despite it’s imperfections– Church and Family are one, and the same (Eph.
5&6)– Pray together as a Family for the church– Worship Together as a Family (Eph.6, 1 Cor. 7:14)– Fall Deeply in Love with the bride of Christ
(church)
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Family being Healthy church Members = Christian Home
Three Essentials for a Christian Home
1. There must be a revelation of God
2. There must be a response to God’s revelation.
3. There must be a threefold responsibility
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Revelation of God
52
His eternality• God is Lord. God is
without end, the eternal one
His plurality• Father, Son & Holy
Spirit
His unity• “One Lord” the three
person of the Godhead constitute one God
Jer 10:10 - But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God, the eternal King. …
Response to God’s Revelation
• The Christian family must respond with a total response of love with all one’s being, heart, soul and mind.
• Matthew 22:37-38 - 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’38 This is the first and greatest commandment.
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Three Fold Responsibility by the Father
• Matt 22:37• Must be in you soul and spirit
Have God’s truth Govern his heart
• Father teaches God’s truth to his children (formally and informally) – Eph. 6:4, Col. 3:21
Have God’s truth Govern his home
• The Christian home is to be a divine school in which the father is to be the teacher, under Christ – Eph. 5:25,28-29
Have God’s truth Govern his habits & conduct personally,
privately & publically
54
Three Essentials for a Christian Home
1. There must be a revelation of God
2. There must be a response to God’s revelation.
3. There must be a threefold responsibility
55
I Am A Church Member 56
What is a Healthy church Member?
1. Expositional Listener
2. Biblical Theologian3. Gospel Saturated4. Genuinely
Converted5. Biblical Evangelist
6. Committed Members
7. Seeks Discipline8. Growing Disciple9. Humble Follower10.Prayer Warrior
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What is a Healthy Church Member – by Thabiti Anyabwile
Lead Your Families to be Healthy church Members
I Am A Church Member 57
I Am a church MemberMarch 16, 2014
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of?
Do y
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to co
ntrib
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to th
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I Am A Church Member 58
Class Review• What / Who is the church?• Be a Functioning church Member• Be a Unifying church Member• Be a Service Oriented church Member• Be a Prayer Warrior for our church Leadership• Lead Your Family to be Healthy church Members• I Will Treasure church Membership as a Gift
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I Am A Church Member 59
The Gift• Ephesians 2:8 - For by grace you
have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God
• Romans 6:23 -For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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Salvation
I Am A Church Member 60
The Gift from God
Gift of Salvation – Rom. 6:23
Gift of Forgiveness of Sins – 1 John 1:9
Gift of the Indwelling
Holy Spirit – Acts 2:38
Adoption by God the
Father – Rom. 8:15
Becoming part of the
Body of Christ – 1 Cor. 12:13
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From Salvation to becoming part of the Body of Christ
When you are Part of the Body of Christ
Salvation from Gods Wrath – John
3:16
An Intimate Relationship with God – John 1:12
New Family – Eph. 2:19
Disdain for Sin and a desire to be
more like Christ – 1 John 3:9-10
Treasures in Heaven – Matt.
6:19-20
An Eternal Purpose – Matt. 28:18-20
I Am A Church Member 62
When Receiving a Gift You Feel …
• Thankful• Special• Appreciated• It must be treasured• Like we should respond to the giver,
with gratitudeCNH
I Am A Church Member 63
Gratitude for God’s Gift“If you love me,
you will obey what I command. “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love
him, and we will come to him and make our home
with him. He who does not love me will not obey my
teaching" (Jn. 14:15, 23, 24).
"This is how we know that we love
the children of God: by loving
God and carrying out His
commands. This is love for God: to
obey His commands. And
His commands are not
burdensome…" (1 Jn. 5:3).
"So then, brothers,
stand firm and hold to the
teachings we passed on to you, whether
by word of mouth or by
letter" (2 Thess. 2:15).
"Now all has been heard; here is the
conclusion of the matter: Fear
God and keep His
commandments, for this is the whole duty of
man" (Ecc. 12:13)
CNH
I Am A Church Member 64
Church membership is not a right, but it is a privilege that was purchased at the Cross of Jesus (Acts 20:28). I ought not to ask whether my local church is worthy of my membership. As a pastor, I ought never to ask whether any member of my local church is worthy of my pastoral care. Rather, I ought to remember that I am unworthy to be a member of my church. I ought to remember that membership in my church is a job. It is a job to which God has entrusted His amazing, universe-defining plan. No job is more important than my job as a member of my church. I ought to remember that it is a job for which I am entirely unqualified. I qualify for this position only by means of the gifts of the indwelling Holy Spirit. This position—this placement within the Body of Christ—is itself a gift from God made according to His desire, not mine nor my pastors'. I am unworthy of this. That's what makes it a gift. It is a gift worth cherishing. – Bart Barber
CNH Treasure your church membership as a Gift
I Am A Church Member 65
I Am a church Member• Functioning• Unifying• Service Oriented• Prayerful for church
Leadership• Leading My Family to
be Healthy church Members
• Treasuring church Membership as a GiftCNH
The giver of the gift is the one with the power. The Bible declares that all
power belongs to Christ (Matt. 28:18), the only
Head of the church. Jesus is Lord, and biblical church membership can only take
place when we are surrendered to His lordship
over our individual lives and our local churches.–
Bart Barber
I Am A Church Member 66
I Am a church MemberMarch 23, 2014
CNH
Do y
ou
feel an
y p
ers
on
al
resp
on
sib
ility
to t
he
con
gre
gati
on
th
at
you a
re a
m
em
ber
of?
Do y
ou
feel a
ny re
sponsib
ility
to co
ntrib
ute
to th
e w
ork o
f th
at co
ng
reg
atio
n?
I Am A Church Member 67
Class Review
What is the church?Those that believe Jesus is the Christ, been baptized and live a
life of obedience
Hou
se –
1Pt
r 2:4
-5
Sold
iers
– 2
Tim
2:
3-4
Brid
e –
Eph
5;25
-27
Body
– 1
Cor
12:1
2-13
Func
tioni
ng1
Cor.
12:7
Uni
fyin
gEp
h. 2
& 4
Serv
ice
Orie
nted
Mk
9:33
-35
Pray
er W
arrio
r1T
im. 2
:1-4
Lead
You
r Fam
ily
– H
ealth
y M
embe
rsEp
h 6:
1-4
Trea
sure
you
r M
embe
rshi
pRo
m. 6
:23
CNH
I Am A Church Member 68
Group Exercise (WERP Analysis)
CNH
WERPAnalysis
Why Weak Congregations?Why Weak Congregations? Expectations Upon Joining ChurchExpectations Upon Joining Church
ResponsibilityResponsibility PrivilegesPrivileges
R P
W E- Lack of Fellowship, Truth Not Being Preached, Lack of Commitment, Lack of Obedience, Society Feels Self Sufficient, Always Too Busy, Too Much Sports and TV , Gone From BCV
- Grow the Body, Show Up, Be Active and Participation, Share Gods Word, Give LOVE
- People Expect to Be entertained, Expect to Be Served, Expect To Be Good, People Expect their Problem to Come to an End When they come to church, Socialization
- Eternal Life with God, Forgiveness for Sin, Grace and Mercy, Ability to walk in the Light
I Am A Church Member 69
Why Are Congregations Weak?
• Eventually, as congregations age, one by one their membership is replaced. – Members die. – Some fall away. – New members are added.
• Even though the members are new, many congregations become aged in character. (Rev. 2:1-5)– They become comfortable and set in their ways. – They lose their zeal and no longer serve God with their
previous fervor– Third generation members tend to fall away
CNH
I Am A Church Member 70
Expectations Upon Joining Church
Class Comments• Be entertained• Be Served• Be Good• Problems to
come to an end
• Socialization
What should the church provide?
• Worship God – Luke 4:8, John 4:23• Discipling / Evangelism – Mat: 28:18-20• Study God’s Word – 2 Tim 2:15, 1 Cor. 4:6• Prayer – Acts 2:42• Love One Another – John 13:35, Phil 1:1-4• Help Each Other – Gal. 6:2• Learn How to Live as Godly People – Tit
2:11-12• Preach the gospel – Mark 1:14-15• Communion/Baptism/ Family – Luke 22:19-
20, Eph. 5&6, Col. 3:16CNH
I Am A Church Member 71
Member ResponsibilityClass Comments
• Be a Functioning church Member
• Be a Unifying church Member• Be a Service Oriented church
Member• Be a Prayer Warrior for our
church Leadership• Lead Your Family to be Healthy
church Members• Treasure Your church
Membership as a Gift
Class Lesson• Grow the Body• Show Up• Be Active and
Participation• Share Gods Word• Give LOVE
CNH
I Am A Church Member 72
Member PrivilegesClass Comments
• Salvation from God’s Wrath – Rom 3:20-24
• Intimate Relationship with God – John 1:12, 1 Pet. 1:3-4
• New Family – Eph. 2:19• Disdain for Sin – 1 Jn. 3:9-
10• Treasures in Heaven –
Matt. 6:19-20• Eternal Purpose – Matt.
28:18-20
Class Lesson• Eternal Life with God• Forgiveness for Sin• Grace and Mercy• Ability to walk in the
Light
CNH