How To Be a Mature Church Member

By Jason E. Robertson @ http://fide-o.blogspot.com

If nowhere else, it is obvious from Revelation 2 - 3 that God's concern for his Church is specifically revealed in his concern for local churches. In those chapters God was concerned with particular people, circumstances, and practices within each church. Jesus' letters to the seven churches in Revelation are all about one thing ultimately -- healthy local churches. In effect, God's normal way of fulfilling his will in the church universally is by fulfilling his will in the church locally. Thus we can conclude that healthy churches are pleasing to God and healthy churches are made up of spiritually mature church members. Here are few suggestions on how to mature in your roll as a church member:

1. Read theology books by trusted authors. Unless a church member takes it upon themselves to read theology books they will never be able to fully appreciate and comprehend expositional sermons. There are many good theology books to choose from authors such as: Wayne Grudem, Robert Reymond, Louis Berkhof, R.C. Sproul, James White, John MacArthur, Mark Dever, and James Boice.

2. Balance your private devotions by studying the Bible verse-by-verse and thematically. The use of theology books will help in this effort of thematic study, but also try just using a concordance or Bible dictionary. Trace these themes throughout Scripture and make note of the continuities and discontinuities across various periods of redemptive history. By doing this, you will not only learn biblical passages, but you will also develop a comprehensive understanding of God's work of Redemption.

3. Adopt the New Testament’s attitude toward the Old Testament. The Bible is one story about God redeeming for Himself a special people. When studying the New Testament, train yourself to link what you learn there to the Old Testament. Ask, how is this passage a fulfillment of something promised in the Old Testament? How is this New Testament idea different from or similar to an Old Testament teaching? In what way does this New Testament passage clarify, unveil, or amplify something from the Old Testament? Asking these questions will help to underscore the unity and diversity of the Bible and its message. An excellent book to study with these questions in mind is the book of Hebrews. Study Hebrews and be amazed at the supremacy of Jesus Christ demonstrated in the Old Testament.

4. Study the Old Testament with Jesus and the New Testament in view. As you read and study the Old Testament, ask yourself how it fits together with the revelation of the New Testament. For example, where does this passage fit in the timeline of redemptive history? How does this passage point me to Jesus? How does this relate to the New Testament idea of the church? How is this passage foundational for an understanding of New Testament Christianity? How is this idea or teaching in the Old Testament continuous or discontinuous with the New Testament? Which New Testament passages help me to answer these questions?

5. Study the major and minor Prophets in the Old Testament. Perhaps the most neglected books of the Old Testament are the books of prophecy, especially the unfortunately named "minor prophets." These books contain some of the richest material in Scripture about the life, ministry, and supremacy of Jesus Christ. The more one realizes how the Prophets preached Christ, the more one finds the Prophets to be vital to one's spiritual maturity.

6. Know and agree to support your church’s statement of faith. When we join a church we should know what the church believes and whether we agree with that teaching. Commit yourself to studying the church’s statement of faith. Is it doctrinally sound? Do you understand the statement? Some churches have a healthy practice of requiring new members to sign the church’s statement of faith as an indication of their agreement with and willingness to defend the truths expressed therein. Could you in good conscience sign your church’s statement of faith? If so, commit yourselves to upholding the doctrinal integrity of your church.

7. Seek doctrinal unity and avoid needless disputes. From time to time, doctrinal differences will arise in a local church. The key question for members is "how will you participate in the resolution of such differences?" The maxim is useful here: “in all things essential, unity; in all things non-essential, liberty; and in all things, love.” A healthy church member, committed to becoming a biblical theologian, will work to know the difference between beliefs essential to biblical Christianity and beliefs that are non-essential to the integrity and continuance of the faith. They will commit themselves to defending the essential things of the gospel (Philippians 1:27; Jude 3), while avoiding strife and contention over things that are not essential to the gospel. The Apostle Paul’s instructions to Timothy are appropriate in 2 Timothy 2:14-17 . On the one hand, we are to be workmen who are skilled in correctly handling the word of truth; on the other hand, we must be innocent of engendering disagreements over things of no value. Quarreling about petty and inconsequential things "only ruins those who listen" and like a gangrenous death leads to more and more ungodliness. Let us work for unity in belief and peace in our churches, remembering: "It is a man’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel" (Proverbs 20:3).

Thus, as you can tell, I believe that it is vital for a church member to have a sound biblical theology in order to be mature. If you don't believe me, then just consider what Jesus meant in Matthew 4:4. When I consider the maturity of a church member, I always first consider their relationship to God's Word. No matter how loving or committed a church member may seem, if they are unwilling to mature in their biblical theology then they remain the most dangerous threat to the church. "Why?" you may ask. Because of the sinfulness of our hearts, our understanding of God and His work has been skewed. Without an increasing devotion to knowing and obeying the Scripture, we will naturally depart from truth and open ourselves and our church to dangerous errors. Those who increase in their studies of God's Word will increase the spiritual health of the church, will increase the spiritual safety found in a mature church, and will increase the capabilities of a church to accomplish God's will.