Three Encouragements for Pastors Pursuing Wandering Sheep
By Nick Gardner | 03.08.2022What should a pastor do when faced with wandering sheep, those who have left the safe pastures of the local church and found themselves in dangerous territory away from the herd?
Do Churches Really Discipline for Non-Attendance? A Brief History of Four Baptist Churches
By Caleb Morell | 01.21.2022Baptists disciplined for non-attendance because they believed attendance was part of the covenant obligations of church membership. Here’s a brief history.
“A Hedging and Fencing”: How Charles Spurgeon Promoted Meaningful Membership
By Geoff Chang | 01.11.2022This work of “hedging and fencing” is what keeps the church distinct from the world. And as the pastor of the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Spurgeon saw it was one of his chief duties.
What the Work of Christ Means for Your Church Membership Directory
By Sam Emadi | 9Marks Journal: Sound Doctrine: The Foundation for Faithful Ministry | 11.16.2021Your membership directory is more than a list of addresses and phone numbers. Each picture should represent Christ’s work, his priestly service of purification and redemption.
How the Doctrine of Sanctification Propels the Practice of Church Discipline
By Eugene Low | 9Marks Journal: Sound Doctrine: The Foundation for Faithful Ministry | 11.16.2021Church discipline is a God-given means of growing his people in holiness. It seeks the good of the sinner, the building up of the church, and the glory of God.
Yes, The Ordinances Really Do Change People
By Tiago Oliveira | 9Marks Journal: The Ordinary Means of Grace—Or, Don’t Do Weird Stuff | 07.26.2021Yes, the ordinances really do change people. But faith must come first.
Why American Courts Care about Church Membership—And Why You Should, Too
By Lael Weinberger | 07.02.2021For Christians, the biblical case for church membership should always be first and foremost. But it’s good to know that complying with biblical best practices also has practical legal benefits.
How Church Membership Gives Us Freedom
By Lee Sullivan | 05.03.2021Isn’t it ironic that a high commitment like church membership can bring about a sense of freedom?
Be Like Batman: Guard the Gospel
By Sam Emadi | 9Marks Journal: How to Build Up Your Church: A Guidebook for Members | 03.30.2021You don’t need a seminary education. You don’t have to be an ordained minister or a spiritual superstar. All you need is the Holy Spirit, and you have that! It’s time to suit up and start guarding the gospel.
Speak Only What Is Good to Give Grace
By Josh Manley | 9Marks Journal: How to Build Up Your Church: A Guidebook for Members | 03.30.2021Our days and our words are numbered, and before long we will have to give an account to God for how we used them.
Don’t Muzzle the Ox
By Ken Mbugua | 9Marks Journal: How to Build Up Your Church: A Guidebook for Members | 03.30.2021God’s Word languishes in the pulpit because churches have been taught to invest in buildings and projects, not men who have given themselves to the ministry of the Word.
Be a Good Witness in the Community
By Marwan Aboul-Zelof | 9Marks Journal: How to Build Up Your Church: A Guidebook for Members | 03.30.2021When we think of being a good witness, we should do so with other believers in mind so that our witness might be amplified.
Pursue Wandering Sheep
By Jeff Lacine | 9Marks Journal: How to Build Up Your Church: A Guidebook for Members | 03.30.2021In Matthew 18:10–20 Jesus isn’t merely calling pastors or church leaders to corral wandering sheep. He’s calling every church member. In other words, he’s calling you.
Show Up!
By Mike Gilbart-Smith | 9Marks Journal: How to Build Up Your Church: A Guidebook for Members | 03.30.2021However gifted you might be at talking to teenagers or working on the website, your presence at corporate worship is a far more essential and significant way to serve the flock
Cleanse Out The Old Leaven
By Matthias Lohmann | 9Marks Journal: How to Build Up Your Church: A Guidebook for Members | 03.30.2021Let’s cleanse out the old leaven of sin both corporately through corrective church discipline and individually as we fight by grace the sin in our own lives.
