Podcast Episode #003
Today we continue our discussion on church membership.
Last week we talked about what church membership is and what it means to be a church member—how it’s not just having your name on a roll somewhere, but being actively involved in the ministry and function of your local community of faith. This week’s episode deals with NOT being a church member. Specifically the main reason people LEAVE a church.
In an earlier post, I listed the following reasons people leave a church:
- “The worship leader refused to listen to me about the songs and music I wanted.”
- “The pastor did not feed me.”
- “No one from my church visited me.”
- “I was not about to support the building program they wanted.”
- “I was out two weeks and no one called me.”
- “They moved the times of the worship services and it messed up my schedule.”
- “I told my pastor to go visit my cousin and he never did.”
Do you see the theme there?
Here are the five ways I recommend closing the back door in churches:
- Inform church members.
- Raise the bar of expectations.
- Mentor members.
- Train members.
- Encourage people to be in small groups.
Episode Sponsor
You can pick up your copy of I Am a Church Member at your local bookstore or online retailer. At many retailers, churches can also get a bulk case of 20 for $5 per book to use in their churches.
Feedback
If you have a question you would like answered on the show, fill out the form on the podcast page here at ThomRainer.com.
Resources Mentioned in this Episode
- I Am a Church Member by Thom Rainer
- The Present Future by Reggie McNeal
- Simple Church by Thom S. Rainer and Eric Geiger
- Mentor by Chuck Lawless
