This title is a good question and a good book, one which I'm really glad was brought to my attention.

In a simple and direct style, T M Anyabwile helps us ask ourselves this question in his short book (10 chapters of about 10 pages each). I'd recommend every member of the church get a copy of this book and to read it during the course of this year. Here are the advantages…
• we could assess our own health and that of the church biblically
• we would find much encouragement for spiritual growth
• we would find kindly correction and opportunity for godly repentance
• we’d have good things to talk with each other after church each week
• we could use the 2-3 questions in each chapter in Bible study groups

It is, of course, no substitute for the Bible -- its value is that it seeks to call us back to biblical priorities. Especially if our Christian life is in a bit of a rut, or seems fairly pedestrian, we can think that what we really require is some extraordinary spiritual experience. But, to quote the book, "as we've just seen in John 15, it is the ordinary means of grace that ordinarily produces growth and maturity. In fact, while the sensational and extraordinary can and often does lead people astray, that Word properly taught and understood never will" (p90). Wise words, and healthy.

This excellent resource is ideal for equipping believers in the basic responsibilities of church membership. Anyabwile's short little book exhorts and encourages believers to take church life seriously. The marks of a healthy church member, corresponding to Mark Dever's Nine Marks of a Healthy Church (with one to grow on!) are:

1. A healthy church member is an expositional listener
2. A healthy church member is a biblical theologian
3. A healthy church member is gospel saturated
4. A healthy church member is genuinely converted
5. A healthy church member is a biblical evangelist
6. A healthy church member is a committed member
7. A healthy church member seeks discipline
8. A healthy church member is a growing disciple
9. A healthy church member is a humble follower
10. A healthy church member is a prayer warrior

This is pastoral and practical theology, written in a user-friendly style, with the tenderness of a shepherd. It could easily be adapted for use in a Sunday School class or small group. The church I pastor purchased a copy for every household. ( )

There’s nothing earth shaking here, but that doesn’t mean this isn’t an exceptionally useful book. We could call it a church member’s user manual, but that would make it seem too much like a to-do list and it is not that. It does have suggestions that the reader is encouraged to practice because they desire to become a healthy church member, but in the end, Thabiti Anyabwile brings us back to the gospel of Christ Jesus as the foundation for everything and the gracious work of the Spirit as the means by which these 10 marks are accomplished.

What Is a Healthy Church Member? would be well-suited for use in a new member’s class or other group study as well as for individual reading and study. ( )

Purple 2.99