What Does a Committed Church Member Look Like?

by Thabiti Anyabwile

Photo by Josh Applegate on Unsplash

Below are ways committed membership expresses itself.

Attends Regularly

This is the first and most important ministry of every Christian in the local church. Being present, being known, and being active are the only ways to make Christian love possible (Heb. 10:24–25).

Seeks Peace

A committed church member is committed to the maintenance of peace in the congregation. (Rom. 14:19). “And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (James 3:18).

Edifies Others

The one consistent purpose or goal of the public meeting of the church is mutual edification, building each other up in the faith (1 Cor. 12, 14; Eph. 4:11–16). A healthy and committed member comes to serve, not to be served, like Jesus (Mark 10:45); to provide, not to be a consumer only.

Warns and Admonishes Others

A committed member is committed to speaking the truth in love to his brothers and sisters, to helping them avoid pitfalls, and to encouraging them in holiness and Christian joy. A committed member will not be wrongly intrusive in the lives of others—a busybody—but he also will not be “hands off” when it comes to caring for and counseling others.

Pursues Reconciliation

Christians are people who are reconciled to God through Christ. A committed member strives to repair breaches as quickly as possible, even before continuing in public worship (Matt. 5:23–24).

Bears with Others

Ministers of reconciliation must be patient and long-suffering. They must be characterized by meekness such that they do not think more highly of themselves than they ought (Matt. 5:5).

Prepares for the Ordinances

A committed member rejoices at the baptism of new believers, and he examines his heart in preparation for joining the family of God at the Lord’s Table. He receives these spiritual exercises as means of grace, means that give visible testimony to the effect of the gospel in his life and the life of the gathered church.

Supports the Work of the Ministry

A committed member gives resources, time, and talent to the furtherance of the gospel in the local church. He lives out the Bible’s call to the body of Christ. (Rom. 12:6–8). A healthy, committed church member receives and applies the grace of God by working to support the ministry of the local church and excels in giving what he has already received from God to gospel work.

Taken from What Does a Committed Church Member Look Like? by Thabiti Anyabwile, Copyright © February 20, 2022. Used by permission of Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.org