I AM A CHURCH MEMBER

Discovering the Attitude that Makes the Difference

THOM S. RAINER

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

I Am A Church Member, Digital Edition

Based on Print Edition

Copyright © 2013 by Thom S. Rainer

All rights reserved.

978-1-4336-7973-5

Published by B&H Publishing Group

Nashville, Tennessee

Dewey Decimal Classification: 254.5

Subject Heading: CHURCH MEMBERSHIP \ CHURCH \ LAITY

All Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible (hcsb,) Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

To

Brad Waggoner

Exemplary Leader

Devoted Churchman

Great Friend

And always to

Nellie Jo

Devoted Wife

Best Friend

Joy Incarnate

Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction: A Tale of Two Church Members

Chapter 1: I Will Be a Functioning Church Member

Chapter 2: I Will Be a Unifying Church Member

Chapter 3: I Will Not Let My Church Be about My Preferences and Desires

Chapter 4: I Will Pray for My Church Leaders

Chapter 5: I Will Lead My Family to Be Healthy Church Members

Chapter 6: I Will Treasure Church Membership as a Gift

Acknowledgments

It may not take a village to write a book, but there is really no such thing as solo authorship. So many people are a part of this book, and most of those people are indispensable parts of my life.

I love my family. I really do love my family. I love my wife Nellie Jo. I love my sons Sam, Art, and Jess. I love my daughters-in-law Erin, Sarah, and Rachel. And I love my grandchildren Canon, Maggie, Nathaniel, Harper, and Bren. I love my grandson Will, who is in heaven, and I can’t wait to see him again. I mention my family first because they are first in my life. I could not accomplish anything, like writing a book, without the love and encouragement of my family. Did I mention that I really do love my family?

My life is so much richer because God led me to LifeWay Christian Resources. I am a most blessed man to serve alongside thousands of the greatest servant employees anywhere in the world. God is truly working through these men and women. I express specific gratitude to my super editors and friends, Jedidiah Coppenger and Jennifer Lyell. And I am ever grateful for the incredible leadership of Selma Wilson over B&H Publishing Group. I don’t claim perfection in my leadership at LifeWay, but I must say that asking Selma to lead B&H was one of the smartest leadership moves I have made. Thanks also to Amy Jordan, my executive assistant, better known as Superwoman. Amy can manage any situation because she can manage me.

This book is not only dedicated to my wife, Nellie Jo; it is also dedicated to Brad Waggoner. Brad is the executive vice president of LifeWay. Let me state it simply: I could not lead LifeWay without the leadership of Brad Waggoner. I am so dependent upon his strategic mind, his voice of wisdom, and his ability to get to the heart of any issue. And to make our relationship even richer, Brad is one of my best friends in the world.

Ultimately, though, I give ...