Obviously, God builds the church, but He uses people to build it. What kind of members does God use to build a great church?
As a pastor, I have noticed some trends among church people who help move the church forward. The following is a list of characteristics of those types of people. Not everyone will have every quality, but it’s the combination of each of them in people that builds a great church.
Great church members:
Believe and love God’s Word.
Joshua 1:8 “Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed.”
Great church members let the Bible guide them and the church.
Grow in prayer.
Ephesians 6:18 ”Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.”
Great church members pray more than worry.
Build on faith.
Hebrews 10:38 ”And a righteous person will live by faith.”
Great church members are willing to walk by faith as God leads, even through the most challenging times.
Put God’s will first.
Mark 3:35 “Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
Great church members put God’s will ahead of every other agenda.
Enjoy meeting with God regularly.
Amos 4:12 says, “Prepare to meet your God.”
Great church members look expectantly and often for opportunities to worship God and experience Him with other believers.
Support the pastor and the church.
1 Corinthians 16:10-11 ”When Timothy comes, treat him with respect. He is doing the Lord’s work, just as I am. Don’t let anyone despise him.”
A pastor is always looking for someone to call friend. Great church members are that friend. The pastor isn’t always right, but great church members look for ways to support more than complain.
Are encouragers in the church.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 ”So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”
Great church members are a part of the solution, not a part of the problem. They look for ways to help, invite their friends and neighbors, and volunteer without having their arms twisted.
Don’t think everything is about them!
Matthew 16:24 ”Then Jesus said to the disciples, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross and follow me.”
Did you know everything may not go your way? Great church members are willing to allow the best to be done for the church even when it sometimes goes against their personal desires.
Think outside the walls of the church.
Acts 1:8 “But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria and to the ends of the earth. ”
If we are not careful, our churches could be hard to tell apart from a country club. Great church members think of those not yet in a church … and support the church in reaching them.
Maintain a friendly church.
2 John 6 “Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning.”
Great church members make sure guests never stand around long with no one to talk to. They are welcoming and friendly to everyone, with or without a title to do so.
I’m so thankful to be in a church with so many who make this list easy to write.
What would you add to this list?
