What Kind Of Church Member Will I Be?

I’ve spent the last couple of Sundays writing about a church search.  I’ll continue that today, but come at it from a different angle.  When I find a church in my search, what kind of church member will I be?

I want to be a church member who bases what I think about God, Christ and the Church on the Bible.  Sure, I will learn through my local church and circumstances, but ultimately I have to measure that against what God has revealed in His word.

I want the Gospel to be central to my life in my church.  If not for the Gospel, where would any of us be?  So, I want to bring a Gospel centered life to my new church.

I want to listen to the sermons in such a way that they impact my every day life.  I want to worship the Lord through the preaching of His word so that I leave with the purpose of my life being closer to Him.

I want to be a church member who is persevering to the end.  I don’t want to take my salvation for granted and I measure my experience against what the word of God says.

I want to be the kind of church member who shares the Gospel.  Period.  I guess you could call that evangelism.  With my words.  With my deeds.  With my life.

I want to be the kind of church member who is committed.  Committed to the church.  Committed to the members.  Committed to pastor.

I want to be the kind of church member who is disciplined.  Disciplined by the word of God.  Maybe even disciplined by fellow church members who approach me out of love and concern.

I want to be the kind of church member who is growing.  Growing through the word of God.  Growing in love for my fellow members.  Growing in my love for the Lord.

I want to be the kind of church member who follows Godly leadership.  I want to follow spirit-led leaders who I can come alongside and support.

I want to be the kind of church member who joins my fellow church members in prayer.  I don’t see how much can get done in a church without the people praying.

These are the main things that the Lord has laid on my heart to BE as I look for and find a church.

What other things do you a church member should be?

140 Words (or less) About My Grandpa

Today is Twitterific Thursday, where I write 140 words or less about a subject.  Today it’s about my grandpa.  Today is his birthday.

Today’s post is a bit different.  Today I want to honor my grandpa, Clifford Morton Carter.  If he was alive today, he would be 96.  He is one of three men that mean the world to me and influenced me like no one else.  Here are just a few of the things that he did.

He was there at my baseball games, football games and, even though he hated it, my basketball games.  He was simply there for me.

He drove me everyday for a week to Knoxville for a baseball camp.  He taught me sacrifice.

He gave me my first job when I was in the 5th grade, helping him deliver hospital beds for Freels Drugstore in Morristown, TN.  He taught me work ethic.

When my car wouldn’t start, he dropped everything to help me jump it off.  He taught me loyalty.

He was at church every Sunday and always walked back through to turn the lights off after everyone left.  He taught me about faith and commitment to the church.

If you counted, you’ve realized I’ve gone over my normal 140 words or less.  I hope you will forgive me since it was my grandpa’s birthday.  I could have written much more.

Who has influenced you and taught you your values?