I Am a Church Member

While I found “I Am a Church Member” by Thom S. Rainer somewhat repetitive and a bit too short, it does offer several valuable insights. If you're familiar with his previous works, you might notice some recurring themes and content. One challenge I faced with the book is its strong emphasis on church membership being about serving, giving, and involvement, rather than privileges or perks. This focus somewhat overlooks the fact that not all churches are healthy environments. Though I understand that this isn't the book's primary focus, a brief acknowledgment of this issue would have been beneficial.

At times, the book made me feel guilty about reaching out to my pastor, as Rainer details the extensive list of responsibilities pastors have. However, assuming there is no leadership abuse, there are several aspects I appreciated.

Rainer highlights that a church member should be an active participant, using their gifts to serve others. Servanthood is a recurring theme throughout the book. He also emphasizes promoting unity, avoiding gossip, and fostering reconciliation. The focus on unity and reconciliation is particularly impactful.

One practical piece of advice is dedicating at least five minutes to pray for your pastor, covering their spiritual, mental, and physical health, as well as their family. Rainer suggests praying for their wisdom, discernment, protection, and ministry effectiveness. He also mentions the importance of praying for their relationships within the church, their encouragement, and for God to provide them with a clear vision for the church's future.

Additionally, Rainer encourages families to worship and serve together, and reminds readers to view church membership as a gift. Overall, despite some shortcomings, the book offers practical advice for being a committed and supportive church member.