Jonathan Leeman's "Church Membership"

 Jonathan Leeman's Church Membership urges readers to move beyond merely joining a church to embracing heartfelt submission to the church. Leeman robustly defends formal membership through vivid biblical metaphors—church as family, body, temple, and vine—revealing members' role, unity, and mutual dependence we share in Christ. He talks about who should be the members and provides insightful guidance on how members submit to their local church, extending this responsibility to include holding pastors accountable when necessary. Finally, Leeman eloquently addresses church discipline, illustrating through examples from his congregation how it embodies a holistic act of love for the individual, the church, the watching world, and Christ Himself. Below is my reflection:

Jonathan Leeman's words on page 30 struck me deeply: "Christians don't join churches; they submit to them." This reminds me of my time translating the Bible along the Indo-Myanmar border. I eagerly searched for a church to join, but I hesitated to give my tithe. I had my reasons. The church would not accept me as a member, though they allowed me to attend while I was there. It is customary in many Northeast village churches not to accept someone as a member unless they become a village citizen. Though yes, I know that the church there did not accept me as a member, yet I also had my issue - not submit to that church. My reluctance to tithe made that clear. Submitting to a local church involves more than just giving, but that is a crucial way to show that I truly submit to the church. Leeman's statement has opened my eyes to what church membership truly means.

Jonathan Leeman's words on page 47 have deepened my conviction about formal church membership. He writes, "Christian leaders are made responsible for specific sheep. Peter tells elders, 'Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care' (1 Peter 5:2). This is a compelling argument for formal membership. Without committing to a local church, a Christian lacks a shepherd to feed and guide them. In formal membership, pastors know exactly who they are responsible for. This clarity fosters accountability and care. It ensures no sheep wanders without guidance.

On page 71, Jonathan Leeman offers a thought-provoking insight, stating, "Each [biblical metaphor] has a job to do for describing something about our union in a church." This resonates deeply with me. It highlights why believers must join and commit to a local church. Each metaphor—family, body, temple, or vine—reveals a unique aspect of our shared life in Christ. For a so-called believer who never joins a local church, their role in edifying the body becomes unclear. How can they build up the church without being part of its interdependent community? Without commitment, they miss the opportunity to fulfill their God-given role, weakening their growth.

On page 85, under the section "Who Gets In?", Jonathan Leeman compares membership interviews to standing at the gate of a sheep pen, carefully discerning who enters. This vivid image reminds me of my interview with a pastor to become a member of Grace City Church. Reading Leeman's book alongside my experiences at Grace City has strengthened my conviction to firmly embrace formal church membership, even after I leave GCC. The process has been a true blessing, grounding me in a committed, caring community.

On pages 97-98, Jonathan Leeman outlines eight ways to submit to the local church, each one insightful and practical. Among them, the concept of submitting physically and geographically stands out, challenging me to think critically and act intentionally. This idea is entirely new to me! Leeman's perspective brings fresh clarity. Choosing a home is not just about personal comfort. I should ask: Will my mortgage or rent allow me to be generous to others? Will my location make it easy for church members to connect with me for discipleship and hospitality? These questions reshape how I view my place in the church's community.

On pages 106-07, under "How Should Members Relate to Pastors?" Jonathan Leeman shares six compelling points about the relationship between church members and their pastors. I deeply appreciate his bold call for members to hold disqualified pastors accountable, supported by two or three witnesses, as rooted in Scripture. This emphasis on accountability resonates with me. Yet, as I read, a sincere question arose: Can members seek to disqualify a pastor if their teenage children do not embrace Christianity?

On page 112, Jonathan Leeman reshapes my limited view of church discipline with his profound words: "The underlying purpose in every act of discipline, of course, must be love: love for the individual, love for the church, love for the watching world, and love for Christ." This broadens my understanding significantly. I once believed church discipline should focus solely on love for the individual, a narrow perspective. Leeman's insight has brought clarity, showing that discipline is an act of love for the entire church, the watching world, and Christ Himself. His words inspire me to embrace a more holistic view of discipline, rooted in love.

I would like to recommend this book to my pastor friends out there in Manipur. The reason is that though the churches follow formal membership, the roles of members are not clearly defined, and it is not taken seriously. The people out there think whoever is born into a Christian family is also a Christian. This book will help pastors think seriously about membership and surely open their eyes wide.