Membership

A Healthy Church Member Is a Humble Follower

By Thabiti Anyabwile | 9Marks Journal: Authority: God's Good and Dangerous Gift | 09.30.2016

Leadership in the local church is established by God for the blessing of his people. However, for leadership to be effective, it needs to be encouraged and supported by the members of the church.

Church Membership: A Single Woman’s Perspective

By Chelsea Patterson | 9Marks Journal: Authority: God's Good and Dangerous Gift | 09.30.2016

When I first began attending my church, I’d never given much thought to church membership. And if I’m honest, it all sounded a bit dull to me.

A Pastoral Response to Millennial Autonomy

By Kevin McKay | 9Marks Journal: Authority: God's Good and Dangerous Gift | 08.15.2016

The church gives millennials the joys of intimate relationship and meaning, but not in ways most might naturally think.

Twelve Steps to Regain Meaningful Membership

By Mark Dever | 08.12.2016

Pastors must again meditate on Heb.13:17 and consider the seriousness of the accounting to God we are to give for those to whom we have given assurance of their salvation. Continued membership in our congregation is giving such assurance.

The Compelling Community: What to Do Next?

By Jamie Dunlop | 08.04.2016

Periodically, pastors read The Compelling Community, and then ask us where to start in putting its ideas into practice. Here are three thoughts for your consideration.

Praying the ‘Big Four’ Corporately

By John Onwuchekwa | 9Marks Journal: The Church Praying | 06.20.2016

Adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. How should we pray on Sunday morning?

Mailbag #38: How to Shepherd Every Member; Shepherding by the “Parish Model”; What’s the “Church” in Matthew 18?

By Jonathan Leeman | 05.20.2016

— How can the elders of a large church ensure every member is both known and cared for? — We’d like to divide our church members by families and individuals and then designate them to a particular elder. What do you think of this approach? — In Matthew 18, what does Jesus mean when he says “tell it to the church”?

Book Review: Why Bother with Church?, by Sam Allberry

Review by Casey Hough | 05.12.2016

I can hardly imagine a pastor or church member that would not benefit from reading this wonderful book.

Mailbag #36: When Nominating Elders May Cause Disunity; Your 9 Marks Aren’t Enough; A Difficult Pastoral Situation

By Jonathan Leeman | 05.02.2016

— Should I move forward with installing a plurality of elders, even if the decision causes disunity in the church? — I agree with your nine marks—but seriously, where are the marks of love and prayer and missions? — The grandmother of an unwed and pregnant teenager wants to have her granddaughter’s baby shower at the church. How should I think through this?

A Sample Template for Conducting a Membership Interview

By 9Marks | 04.22.2016

Here’s a template to use for new member interviews.

Mailbag #34: How to Respond When a Pastor’s Wife Leaves; Pastoring Regular Attenders Who Refuse to Join; Help with Cleaning Up Our Church’s Past Mistakes

By Jonathan Leeman | 03.25.2016

—When a pastor’s wife leaves him, can he continue in that position? —How do you pastor a couple who enjoys regularly attending, but refuses to join? —How can I minister to a member of our church, who was hurt by our church 10 years ago and hasn’t been back?

Confessions: Thick or Thin?

By Jonathan Leeman | 9Marks Journal: Confessions, Covenants, and Constitutions: How to Organize Your Church | 03.16.2016

A good confession of faith builds a protective doctrinal house around a precious center: the gospel.

On the Thorny Matter of Signatures and Assent

By Brad Wheeler | 9Marks Journal: Confessions, Covenants, and Constitutions: How to Organize Your Church | 03.14.2016

Should we risk agitating people by asking them to formally sign something? And what if someone wants to join, but is unsure of a doctrinal matter? Is submission enough, or is agreement necessary?

Waters That Unite: Five Truths About Water Baptism

By David Schrock | 03.14.2016

1. Baptism identifies us with Christ. 2. Baptism doesn’t save; it announces salvation. 3. Baptism is an individual announcement. 4. Baptism is also a church announcement. 5. Baptism follows belief.

Can I View My Small Group as My Church?

By Sam Allberry | 03.11.2016

Small groups can therefore be a terrific supplement to the gathered life of the church, but they should never be a replacement for it.