Membership

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper Explained

By H. B. Charles | 06.19.2018

There are two questions that will help Christians understand baptism and the Lord’s Supper: what is the gospel, and what is the nature of the local church?

What Do Baptism & the Lord’s Supper Symbolize?

By H. B. Charles | 05.25.2018

Pastor HB Charles, Jr. explains the theological realities behind baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

What the Church Can and Should Bring to the #MeToo Movement

By Whitney Woollard | 9Marks Journal: Church Life: Our True Political Witness | 04.17.2018

The world doesn’t have the tools to offer the kind of redemption the #MeToo movement calls for. But thankfully, the church does.

Book Review: The Mentoring Church, by Phil Newton

Review by Bob Johnson | 03.19.2018

No matter the size of your membership, your church can (and must) pursue leadership training—and this book provides the tools to do it.

5 Ways Spurgeon’s Metropolitan Tabernacle Cultivated Meaningful Membership

By Geoff Chang | 02.26.2018

The goal is for every church to be faithful—in doctrinal purity, in guarding the membership, in active gospel ministry. In this, Spurgeon and the Metropolitan Tabernacle remain a model for pastors and churches today.

Book Review: 40 Questions about Membership & Discipline, by Jeremy Kimble

Review by Joshua Fang | 12.07.2017

If Western Christians think church membership and discipline are strange and alien ideas, then it’s totally new for churches in China.

Pastoring a Rural Church Isn’t a “Lesser” Ministry

By Cheston Pickard | 11.13.2017

Whether we’re called to Farmington, Missouri or Washington, D.C, our goal is to help people do two things: understand the Bible and follow Jesus.

Mailbag #68: Does a Church’s Maturity Affect Church Discipline Approach? . . . Should We Bring into Membership a Family Who Doesn’t Speak Our Language?

By Jonathan Leeman | 11.10.2017

— Should a congregation’s age, spiritual maturity, and experience of church discipline play into a “muddy” church discipline decision? — How should we maintain a robust membership process while taking into account a new family’s language barrier?

Mailbag #67: What Should Members Vote On (And How) . . . Responding to Members’ Foolish Social Media Posts

By Jonathan Leeman | 11.03.2017

— What are considered “important matters” for members to vote on—and how do you practically carry out the voting process? — How should I respond to a church member’s foolish use of social media?

4 Reasons Churches Don’t Practice Church Discipline

By Jeremy Kimble | 11.02.2017

Despite what some people think, church discipline isn’t an unloving, invasive act, perpetrated by wicked people.

4 Myths that Keep College Students from Joining a Church

By Jim Davis | 10.19.2017

Do you want to faithfully follow Christ during your college years? Then join a church.

Mailbag #63: How to Love Wayward Children; Is Plural Eldership Required or Encouraged?

By Jonathan Leeman | 10.06.2017

— How should we treat our 18-year-old daughter’s relationship with her girlfriend? How do we love them without condoning their sin? — Should all churches have a plurality of elders, or are there some churches that simply cannot have a plurality of elders?