Five Ways Your Church Can Use “I Am a Church Member”

Wow! 

That’s the first word that came to my mind when I saw the early sales data of I Am a Church Member. 

Perhaps better words would be “thank you” and “to God be the glory.” 

I was both overwhelmed and humbled by the early response to my book. Now, more than ten years later, I am still blown away about how God is using this book. 

But enough about my sales and me. Even to this day, I still get questions about how to use this book most effectively. Of course, many have already read the brief tome on their own. But is there a context in the church that is effective for studying this book? Absolutely! I actually wrote this book with a group context in mind. That is why I put study questions at the end of each chapter. 

For now, I have five key ways to use I Am a Church Member in your congregation. The good news is that I know of different churches already using these five approaches.

1. 1. New members’ class. There is no better time to set attitudinal expectations about church membership than on the front end. I am gratified to hear of hundreds of churches already making this move. 
   2. Small group study. There are six chapters and an introduction in the book. With the study questions at the end of each chapter, it is perfectly suited for a multi-week study.
   3. Gifts for guests. Two churches let me know that they give every first-time guest one of these books. They told me that it helps to share the membership philosophy as soon as possible. 
   4. Leadership groups in the church. I am encouraged to hear about elders, deacons, church staff, and others coming together to study the book. One pastor sent me a post from X that said his leadership group made a decision to scrap and reinstitute their membership process after studying the book.
   5. All church members. I have been especially gratified to hear of churches that are providing the book to every church member. One pastor told me that if the book has an impact on just 10 percent of those who receive it, the church could see its greatest days ever. That statement was really encouraging.

I Am a Church Member provides a short yet poignant description of the right and biblical attitude of church members. It can be read in one or two hours, or it can be studied over several weeks. 

I really owe a great deal of appreciation to you readers. The book began as a blog post, but your responses to it led me to put it in book form. I believe I have some of the sharpest people in the world reading my articles. I pray that, in some way, this book will help you and your churches. It’s the least I can do for you.

P. S. Church Answers will soon have a full video course using this book in our upcoming release of Church Equip Curriculum. Stay tuned . . .

Posted on April 21, 2025

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With nearly 40 years of ministry experience, Thom Rainer has spent a lifetime committed to the growth and health of local churches across North America.
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