Answers for Church Members

When should you not submit to church leaders?

9Marks

When should you not submit to church leaders?

How does hell glorify God?

9Marks

Many people think that, if it even exists, hell must reflect some defect in God’s character. Yet as hard as it may be for us to grasp, the reality is just the opposite: hell displays God’s glory.

How does hell glorify God?

Why is hell integral to the gospel?

9Marks

Some people think that by rejecting or ignoring the doctrine of hell, they are making God more glorious and more loving. Far from it! The horrific nature of what we have been saved from only intensifies the glory of what we have been saved to. With that in mind, here are four reasons why the doctrine of hell is integral to the gospel.

Can someone be genuinely converted and contentedly live in sin?

9Marks

Generally speaking, no.

How should churches get involved with and think about short-term mission trips?

9Marks
Churches should view short-term mission trips as an opportunity to serve workers they support. This means that churches should begin by asking whether or not the missionaries want them to come on a short-term trip. Next, churches should ask the missionaries how they can best serve them, and then be willing to do whatever they ask, even if it’s a week of childcare so that the workers can train or plan together.

How can I make the most of the preaching I hear every week?

9Marks
Throughout the week, meditate on the passage that will be preached on Sunday. Pray for your pastor as he prepares his sermon. Take notes on the text. Ask questions of the text. Pray through the text. Prepare for Sunday morning. On Saturday night or Sunday morning, pray for your upcoming opportunity to hear God’s Word preached. Pray that your heart would be soft and humble before it.

What should I do if I disagree with something my pastor said?

9Marks
Pray for humility and understanding. Ask a trusted, godly friend who knows the Bible well about the statement. Listen to their explanation and be open to the possibility that you either misunderstood, or that the statement the pastor made is biblically correct and you’re the one whose thinking needs to adjust.

I don’t like the direction my church is heading. How can I know when it’s time to find another church?

9Marks

Every situation is different, and it’s impossible to speak precisely about any one situation. That said, here are some criteria worth keeping in mind in every situation:

I don’t feel like there are opportunities for me to get involved in my church. What should I do?

9Marks

Sometimes we get so fixated on programs and official positions in the church that it’s easy to miss opportunities right in front of our eyes. To help remedy that potential near-sightedness, here are two ways that you can always get involved in any church.

What should I look for in a church?

9Marks
Expositional preaching. Does the pastor preach God’s Word, or his own ideas? Does he allow Scripture to set his preaching agenda, or does he pick topics by some other criteria? (2 Tim. 2:15, 4:2-2) Biblical theology. Does the church openly confess key biblical doctrines? Do the leaders consistently teach sound doctrine? (Tit. 1:9-11)

What are some common mistakes Christians make when thinking about missions strategy?

9Marks

How should Christians evaluate different missionary methods?

9Marks
A popular but misguided method of evaluation: evaluate short-term results, such as the number of people making professions of faith in Christ. What’s wrong about this? Jesus teaches that, when we faithfully sow the seed of the word, many will make professions, but not all professions will endure (see Matt. 13:1-23). So why evaluate a method’s “success” by something as ultimately unreliable as professions of faith?

What is success in missions and how do you measure it?

9Marks

The Bible teaches several points with unavoidable clarity. 

Who is responsible to fulfill the Great Commission?

9Marks
All Christians. In John 20:21, Jesus says to all his disciples, “As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Jesus was sent into the world to become the savior of those who would believe. We are sent into the world to proclaim what Christ has done and call people to faith in him. Therefore, every Christian should evangelize locally and, if possible, support the work of bringing the gospel to the ends of the earth.

Who is responsible for training pastors?

9Marks

Most evangelicals believe the answer to that question is obvious: seminaries are responsible. A man who decides he wants to be a pastor should go to seminary, get a degree, and then presto! He’s ready to be a pastor.