Book Review:
What is a Healthy Church Member
by Thabiti Anyabwile
A recommended resource for "You Are... a series in Christian Basics"
Review by Justin Ridgway

When I was in high school, the church that I went to had over 2,000 attendees throughout their four weekly services. Though the church was large, I saw a good handful of people who served the body, were excited about the gospel, and were clearly committed to the church. But, what always bothered me was that this only described a small minority of the people who attended. The majority would walk into a church service a few minutes after it started, sit through the music and sermon, and leave without talking to anyone. These people missed out on the tremendous benefits of living life alongside the body of Christ. Likewise, the committed members of the body were unable to benefit from the gifts that God had given to those who were detached. What a sad predicament!

In America, we live in a culture where it is quite common to “go to church.” In fact, if you’re reading this blog, then I’m guessing you attend on Sunday mornings at Indian Trail Church or at another local church. Great! But what does it mean to go beyond Sunday attendance and function as a member of your church? It’s common to attend a church; it’s not so common to be a healthy, biblically faithful, full-functioning member of a church.

What is a Healthy Church Member? is a brief book that teaches believers how to thrive within the church the way that Jesus wants us to. Each chapter describes a defining characteristic of a healthy church member. These characteristics include carefully listening to sermons, sharing the gospel with others, seeking discipline, praying faithfully, and more. The chapters are short, but they’re packed with a wealth of biblical support for the characteristics they describe. Each chapter also provides gospel-centered ways of striving toward the ideals they set forth.

Here’s an example: Chapter 8 in the book is about the importance of consistent growth in the life of a believer. It’s only 11 pages long, but it references 24 different passages of Scripture. I appreciate this chapter because it focuses not only on our individual responsibility to grow spiritually, but also on our call to help others in the body grow. The author writes, “A healthy church member has a pervasive concern for his or her own personal growth and the growth of other members of her or his church.” (88) Yet, while he calls us to take responsibility in spiritual growth, he simultaneously affirms that, “…our progress in discipleship and spiritual maturity depends on the grace and will of God, not on our self-effort and strength.” (87) There is a theological tension here: we are responsible to pursue spiritual maturity, but we know that it is God who actually causes the growth. The book encourages these types of balanced and gospel-centered views in every aspect of becoming a healthy church member.

Do you consider yourself a healthy church member? Whether you do or not, I believe you would benefit from this book. If you’ve struggled to grow within the body of Christ, then this book will be a helpful starting point. If you are a healthy church member, then this book will be a valuable resource to encourage you in what you’re already doing and to help you lead those within the body who need direction. Wouldn’t it be great to have an answer ready for those who ask what it means to be a member at ITC? This book will give you a solid foundation for answering these types of questions for yourself and for others.