I promised the Quarry (the men’s theological discussion group at HBC) that I would list some essential books that I believe should be part of every Christian’s library, so here goes…

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge - Edited by Jerome H. Smith

This is a fabulous cross-referencing tool.

Eerdman’s Handbook to the Bible - Edited by David and Pat Alexander

Handbooks like this one will give you historical background material to help you understand the passage along with lots of pictures and illustrations.

Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties - by Gleason Archer

This book gives solid answers for the passages that seem to contradict other portions of Scripture.

Systematic Theology - by Wayne Grudem

Theology is the study of God which is the great pursuit of every Christian. Wayne Grudem is a man who can take you deeper without boring you or confusing you. This is a very readable book. One doesn’t have to read this book from beginning to end like a novel for it to be effective. It can be used as a reference tool when you have a question about the nature of Christ, divine elction, the formation of the canon, angels, demons, end-times, etc.

Evangelical Dictionary of Theology - Edited by Walter Elwell

When you have a specific question concerning theology, this book is helpful and is alphabetized (of course) for easy access. The book also gives a brief biography on key theologians throughout church history.

International Dictionary of the Christian Church - Edited by J. D. Douglas

This book gives you knowledge of Christian leaders, movements, and events from the first century to the twentieth century.

Bible Knowledge Commentary (2 vol.) - by the Dallas Theological Seminary Faculty

Everyone should have a solid commentary of the whole Bible in their library and this is a good one.

We live in an era where people prefer to stay on the fringes without moving to the center, would rather remain in dialogue without coming to conclusions, would prefer to observe rather than engage. This kind of atmosphere has produced Christians who pick their churches like they do their weekend entertainment. Gone are the days when people stuck with a church for 30-40 years and outlived the various twists and turns that church life brings. My Grandmother to this day still attends the church that she first visited over 40 years ago.

Now you may argue the benefit of staying in a church when the priorities of the leadership are askew or when disagreements lead to divisions that tear down rather than build up, but I do not believe that we are in better shape today with the ability to move from church to church. There are certainly justifiable reasons for leaving a church. However, if the entrenchment mentality (staying in a church rain or shine for many years) had its negatives, the non-commital mentality that exists today is equally harmful. It has produced churches full of fringe people who will come and listen on Sundays but will commit to nothing more. They do not mentor anyone, they do not serve anywhere, and they keep to themselves. It is a safe existence, but a sure recipe for spiritual anemia.

There is great spiritual benefit in belonging to a group of people who know us and love us and are committed to helping us in this walk of faith. Spiritual growth does not happen solely through listening to great Bible teachers. Growing strong in the faith is a community project according to Eph. 4:7-16 which means that you can’t just watch, listen and then leave Sunday after Sunday and hope to make progress.

So let me list several reasons for becoming a member of a local church.

1. Church Membership is a public affirmation that you believe the same essential truths (doctrines) that the church believes about God.
2. Church Membership is a public commitment to the priorities (direction) of the local church - that you have banded together for the cause of Christ and His work.
3. Church membership is an affirmation of and submission to the God-given leadership (elders, staff) of the local church according to 1 Pet. 5:1-5 and Heb. 13:17.
4. Church Membership is a public covenant that declares that you will serve, witness, encourage, give, and love for the building up of faith in others at the church and the spread of the gospel from your neighbor to the nations.

“What if I’m committed to this church but do not want to become a member?” I answer that by saying this: if one is committed in their heart, they ought to make it public. Let the church know; let the church leadership know; let the world know. It should be no secret to anyone that you have banded together for the cause of Jesus Christ and mutual accountability. Anyone can float around but it takes resolve, conviction, and courage to be committed to a local body of believers.

All of us have a work to do!

At the moment of salvation, the Spirit of God moved into your heart to dwell after doing some holy renovation. The Spirit also gave every believer a gift upon His arrival. The gift that the Spirit gives is not like a house warming gift to be hung on a wall but to be shared with other believers. In fact, these spiritual gifts are more like tools than anything else and we are called to lend a hand in the construction of a larger dwelling called the temple of God (body of Christ). Now follow this picture: all believers make up this building as though we are the stones fitted together (1 Pet. 2:4-5). To make the biblical picture complete, it would be as if the stones themselves were helping each other, one with a hammer in hand, or a level, or a drill, fitting and shaping each other so that the temple of God may be strong and beautifully symmetrical ( Eph. 4:11-13 with 1 Pet. 2:4-5).

God has placed you in this local church to help us grow into the image of Christ. Your gift (tool) from the Holy Spirit is essential for our spiritual growth and it is essential that you employ it for your own spiritual growth. We are interconnected in the maturing process. I would say it this way: Growing in Christ is a community project! Don’t just watch others serve, get involved!

Two kinds of Gifts

There are two categories of gifts that God gives: speaking gifts or serving gifts (1 Pet. 4:10-11).

“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Some are gifted to teach in children’s church, facilitate a Small Group Bible study, while others are better at serving with their hands. The speaking gifts receive more attention in the church because of their nature (they must be employed in front of people) but God doesn’t esteem them any higher than the gifts of service. A great deal of kingdom work would not get done if God had not provided the serving gifts within the church. Though quietly done, their ministry is massively felt. There is no such thing as a second class gift. God did not throw you a bone when fitting you for ministry. The church suffers when individuals consider themselves useless for ministry because they can’t speak or sing (1 Cor. 12:15-19). Nothing could be further from the truth! We need your help.

Worshipping God through serving

Please understand that God is not wringing His hands together fretting whether His purposes will be accomplished through His lounging saints. He is able to do it with or without us. The mind-bender is that He wants to accomplish His purposes through us…so that He receives the glory. He wants to maturate the saints (you and me) and glorify Himself through the use of spiritual gifts. So what are you waiting for? Find a place to serve in this church with the strength that God will supply. Strengthen and be strengthened…but don’t stay on the sidelines. You will not grow in faith standing there watching.

Realize that you are worshipping our glorious God when you set-up chairs, vacuum carpets, straighten and clean up classrooms, help administrate an event, design a brochure, paint a wall, assist the church office, etc. When you teach a class or lead a Bible Study you are worshipping God for that is what Peter meant when he said, “…that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever.”

Is there a place for me to minister at Harvest Bible Chapel even if I can’t teach or sing? Absolutely! There is no limit to how one might glorify God in serving the body of Christ here at HBC.

There will always be far more needs than people willing to meet them. By employing your spiritual gift of service you will do more than just meet a need, you will help mature the faith of others ( Eph. 4:16) and bring glory and honor to the King (1 Pet. 4:11). So, what are you waiting for?

Ministry Opportunities

Sunday AM Logistics
Greeter
Usher
Setup/Tear down crew
Trailer transporter – (truck to haul equipment trailer)

Technical
Sound Technician (experience required)
Video/Visual Media
PowerPoint/Lights
Computer Graphic Artist

Music Ministry
Vocal
Instrumental

Administrative Help
Weekly Office Volunteer (Hour blocks or days)
Occasional Office Volunteer
Communications editor
Computer support
Publicity/Media (newspaper, radio, TV ads)

Children’s Ministry
Nursery Worker
Children’s Church Teacher
Registration (Sundays)

Benevolence
Meal provider
Fix it crew (mechanics, carpentry, plumbing, etc.)
Financial counselor (helping people get out of debt and work with a budget)

If any of these areas interest you, contact Linda Johnson (Administrative Assistant) at ljohnson@harvestrockford.org