Church Membership

Episode 26: On Multi-Site Churches (with Matt Chandler)

By J. Leeman, M. Dever, M. Chandler | 11.07.2017

Mark Dever and Jonathan Leeman interview Matt to talk about the reasons behind this transition.

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?

Book Review: Uncomfortable, by Brett McCracken

Review by Shane Williamson | 10.05.2017

This book’s ecclesial-shaped Christianity is utterly necessary for the church today.

Two Views on Church Discipline: Protestant vs. Roman Catholic

By Jeremy Kimble | 9Marks Journal: The Reformation and Your Church | 09.26.2017

How does a Protestant understanding of church discipline differ from Roman Catholicism’s?

What if We Applied “For Better or Worse” to Church Commitment?

By Brett McCracken | 09.22.2017

What if we took seriously our “for better or worse, till death do us part” vows in marriage and then applied them to church?

VIDEO: Should every Christian be a member of a local church?

By Aaron Menikoff | 07.20.2017

Should every Christian be a member of a local church?

The Danger of “Church Shopping”

By Brett McCracken | 06.12.2017

When a church becomes less about the demands of Scripture on our lives and more about our demands on the church to fit our preferences, it loses its power to transform us and subvert our idols.

Episode 17: On How to Receive and Dismiss Members

By J. Leeman, M. Dever | 06.06.2017

One of the most important and time-consuming tasks for a church and its pastors involves receiving and releasing members. And yet, it’s almost never talked about in books on the church or in seminary.

Mailbag #62: How to Encourage Attendance at Members’ Meetings; The Relationship between Baptism & Church Membership

By Jonathan Leeman | 05.19.2017

— Could you provide some wisdom for how to handle situations where members are consistently neglectful of attending members’ meetings? — I understand that baptism should precede church membership. But must membership always follow baptism?

Why You Will Join the Wrong Church

By Sam Emadi | 05.15.2017

Personal relationships were never meant to serve as the foundation for our sense of church commitment.

Episode 7: How to Leave Your Church Well

By J. Leeman, M. Dever | 03.28.2017

In this episode of Pastor’s Talk, Mark Dever and Jonathan Leeman discuss how to think about leaving a church wisely.

Mailbag #56: What Makes a “True” Church?

By Jonathan Leeman | 03.17.2017

— Is it okay to tell my church members, “You should never vote for a pro-abortion candidate”? — Would you say churches that don’t practice membership or discipline are not true churches?