Joining and Being a Member of a Church

"From the promises to Abraham (Gen. 12:1–3) to the ultimate fulfillment of those same promises pictured in the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven (Rev. 21), Scripture is clear—God is saving for Himself a people.

Notice, I said people, not persons. In saying it that way, I don’t mean to suggest that salvation is not a personal matter or that God has no interest in individuals. He clearly does (Rom. 10:9–10). No, I chose people over persons to emphasize Scripture’s emphasis—that Christian identity is necessarily communal (1 Peter 2:9).

As our physical birth includes a network of family relationships, so too does our spiritual birth. This is why, when Scripture speaks of the church, it employs metaphors that call to mind profound connection.

Jesus is the Vine, and we are the branches (John 15:1–17).
Jesus is the cornerstone, and we are living stones being built into a temple (Eph. 2:20; 1 Peter 2:5).
Jesus is the Head, and we are members of His body (Eph. 4:1–16; 1 Cor. 12:1–27).

There’s not a hint of individualism or independence anywhere in those images. Nowhere does Scripture describe, much less prescribe, the Christian life as something that can be lived alone. In Christ, each Christian is related to every other Christian, and together we are the family of God (Rom. 8:14–16; Eph. 2:19–22). Deep commitment to and active participation in the church are nonnegotiable.

All this raises a question, though: How can we build and maintain real, vital, life-giving connection to the church over the long haul? Let me offer four suggestions.

First, we must become active members of a church. When we hear the word “member,” we might think of paying our dues and fulfilling the requirements, and then we’ll get the benefits of the club. Church membership, though, is a reflection of Scripture’s language concerning the nature of the church. Paul writes in Romans 12:4–5, “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Paul is saying that in the same way your hand is a member of your body, so every Christian is membered with Jesus Christ and other Christians. We are literally a part of one another. When we realize this, placing membership in a local church becomes a natural extension of what it means to be and live as a Christian.

We need the church. And the church needs us.   The marks of a faithful church member can be reduced to three commitments: Attending/Belonging, Serving, and Giving (2 Cor. 8-10; 1 Cor. 16:2)

Special Baptism Service: Celebrating New Life in Christ

On Sunday, August 12th five young adults will be baptized during a special service at Mike and Jody Koehns.  We hope you will join us for the special celebration of new life in Christ.  This event is especially encouraging in the life of this Lake Country Bible Church (now in it's twentieth year).  For many years, faithful church members at Lake Country Bible Church prayed that God would send more young families and young adults to our Word-centered congregation.  Pastor Sal and many others faithfully preached and served and waited on the Lord.  In His perfect timing the Lord began to answer these petitions.  The quality of of the Spirit-filled believers who have become part of what was already a wonderful congregation over the past three years is so encouraging.

Whether one is a pastor, a parent, or a faithful church member all glory belongs to God.  As Scripture clearly notes, as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.  For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

What We Believe Scripture Teaches Concerning Baptism

9 Practical and Spiritual Benefits of Home CARE Groups

Do non-megachurches really need home CARE groups?  What are the practical spiritual benefits of starting up such a ministry?  The following thoughts will help each of us in our understanding of what the purpose of a care group (small group) is and why it is important for the growth of the church, families and individuals. When properly done CARE groups can help a local church achieve it's biblical philosophy of ministry- which is to "present every believer mature in Christ" (Colossians 1:28-29).

Care groups are about fellowship – the Greek term (Koinonia) the root word is koinos, koinos, translation is common. So we have things in common and can even be translated as communion. Here with believers it has to do with a sense of community in which Christians share the work and pray together comforting and encouraging one another. Fellowship according to the New Unger’s Bible Dictionary: fellowship means companionship, a relation in which parties hold something in common, familiar interaction. (See Acts 2:42)

Consequently, as we can see from these brief interactions with the term and its meaning we can say the underlined words, communion – community – one another – companionship – familiar interaction is needed in every believer’s life. A smaller, more informal context can be a helpful place to practice the New Testament one anothers and to deepen and sweeten the fellowship of the local church.

With that brief understanding let me list for you some ways care groups help with shepherding and caring for the flock:

1. Care groups foster close relationships and integral community. The small group atmosphere is ready-made for building and deepening gospel friendships. People often share more in small groups and are quick to recognize needs, and willing help to meet them. The relationships formed within small groups form a strong fabric within a church. Many times it is these kinds of relationships that are formed outside of the formal setting of a church service, will endure and strengthen over time. We can say this is a natural place for even discipleship relationships to happen.

2. Care groups provide an ideal way to care for the needs of people within the church. When one believer in a small group is struggling financially, emotionally, spiritually, socially, etc., it is much easier for the members of the small group to notice and provide help. The structure of a small group is essentially a community of believing friends. Friends should help one another, especially Christian friends. (Gal. 6:2, Bear one another’s burdens…)

Lake Country Bible Church Pastors- Past and Present

Special Service on May 20th at Lake Country Bible Church

This Sunday at Lake Country Bible Church is an extra special day for three reasons:

1) We get to express our appreciation to our faithful Assistant Pastor Ray and his All-Star wife Ellen Rudzinski during our lunch fellowship. Pastor Ray is retiring which gives us a chance to say "thank you!" Ray has been an ideal Assistant Minister.  He is humble, dependable, godly, and gifted.

2) Our beloved founding Pastor Sal Massa and his awesome help-mate Elena Pilato Massa are back from India and will be sharing a special missionary update during the 9 am SS hour.  For 18 years the Lord used Sal and Elena to help establish a Word-driven Church in Lake Country, Wisconsin.  I am indebted to Sal for giving me the stewardship of leading this wonderful flock.  Pastor Sal will "bring the Book" during the 10:15 am worship service! It's going to be epic. 

3) Finally, Our new Assistant Pastor Kent Kolstad and his faithful wife Marie first official Sunday is May 20th. We are thrilled to have them join our church family and to use their gifts in order to help meet the many needs of our growing congregation.

As always, you won't want to miss Sunday worship at LCBC. Our worship songs this week have been selected by Pastor Ray.  See you soon!

A Fervent Christian Walk