Church Membership

Jonathan Landry Cruse

Reviewed by: G. Mark Sumpter

Church Membership, by Jonathan Landry Cruse. P&R, 2024. Hardcover, 136 pages, $15.99. Reviewed by OP minister G. Mark Sumpter.

I understand the series Blessings of the Faith forecasts multiple volumes—this book is the sixth one. With noticeable frequency, the author, OPC minister Jonathan Landry Cruse, acknowledges the crazy twists and turns and ups and downs of one’s journey along the path of involvement in the local church. He knows that his readers have varied backgrounds and experiences. But Cruse aims to have us take our eyes off the path of our personal and private journey and look up to see the big picture: “Membership in a Christian church is not about the relationships we forge with others or the benefits we may accrue from belonging to such a society. Church membership is fundamentally about how we relate to God and how he relates to us.”

And to the fundamentals Cruse turns. What is the church? What does the Westminster Confession of Faith mean by the invisible and visible church? What about the children of believers—how do they fit in? How do some of the word pictures—metaphors—in the New Testament that describe the relationship between God and his people enhance our understanding of the church and church membership (for example, the church as a bride)? In answering these questions, Cruse reminds us that sound, faithful theology is the basis for thinking about church membership.

Cruse next builds the case for the necessity and the benefits of church membership. This presentation is well written, easy to follow, Scripture-based, full of sound application, and helpfully illustrated with stories. Cruse then focuses on responsibilities of church membership. He has memorable tags: show up (regular worship, participate in service), lean in (use your gifts), stand down (put on humility, walk in submission), and reach out (be a faithful witness). Anchoring these responsibilities in the gospel, Cruse emphasizes the life and ministry of Jesus Christ: “‘He came not to be served, but to serve’ (Mark 10:45), humbling himself all the way to death on the cross (Phil. 2:8).”

The last section of the book, written in question-and-answer format, takes up twenty-six practical matters for church officers and members. In some cases, Cruse offers help to those facing specific circumstances. Here is one example: I feel like the Holy Spirit is leading me to take a break from the church in order to heal from past hurts. Is that okay? And another: I have a close friend who claims to be a Christian but has no interest in joining or even attending church. What can I do?

Everyone will benefit from this book. I can readily see small groups in churches breaking down the sections of the chapters and using the discussion questions provided as a guide for learning.