8 Ways to Submit to Your Local Church

Awhile back the elders and I here at Cool Community read a book by Jonathan Leeman called Church Membership. In chapter 6, Leeman lists eight ways that Christians should submit themselves to the local church:

Publicly – There should be an official relationship with the local church, and to us, that looks like membership.

Physically/Geographically – There should be a priority placed on the “localness” of the church.

Socially – “Churches should be more than social clubs, but they shouldn’t be less.”

Affectionately – “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (Romans 12:10)

Financially – All Christians are called to practice generosity in their finances and especially with their church family.

Vocationally – There needs to be a heartfelt recognition that “the lives of our fellow members will stretch on for eternity, while our jobs will not.”

 Ethically – “Christians should look to the church for ethical instructions, counsel, accountability, and discipline in matters that are addressed by God’s Word.

Spiritually – There should be a commitment to exercising ones spiritual gifts within the context of the local church, praying specifically for the local church and encouraging the membership of the local church.

Challenge: Pray through these eight ways to submit to your local church and ask God to show you areas you can work on.