7 Habits of Highly Effective Church Members

Answers will vary but look for those that relate to qualitative and not quantitative responses. Effectiveness relates to how well one does while correctness relates more to adherence to a standard. One may indeed be doing something correctly but not to the best of one's ability or in a most effective way. For example, one may teach someone the basic elements related to God's plan of salvation but not present them in a way that moves a person to the desired response of repentance and obedience. Although the student carries the burden of responding, as teachers we carry the burden of doing the best we can to inform and persuade them to accept our teaching as true.

To purify means to remove unwanted or unhelpful elements. For preachers, this means staying focused on their task of presenting God's word to the best of their abilities and to remove from their own lives those habits or attitudes that make hinder the progress of their students.

Preachers must stay dedicated to their role as proclaimers and teachers of God's word. They must believe in and be zealous for the truth of their message as revealed in God's word.

To persevere means to stay true to the task, to "stick with it" especially in times when it is tempting to change or when things become discouraging. As outlined in the lesson, one must persevere in doctrine, ministry and love for the church.

All of us are called on to teach others about Christ and His invitation to salvation. Just as a traditional preacher/minister must hold fast to the elements previously mentioned, so must all that serve our Lord maintain the truth of the gospel without change.

Answers will vary but look for responses that center on the ability to influence someone to adopt an attitude, develop knowledge and accomplish a task.

All of us are called upon to influence others to learn about and positively respond to our Lord. We employ the knowledge and skills we've been gifted with in our service to the church, especially in helping fellow Christians grow into spiritual maturity

Elders will give an account for our souls because of their unique position, appointed by the Holy Spirit, to lead us in faithfulness to our Lord. We all will be held accountable for ourselves, but elders, because of their unique position, will be held to a higher standard. To do this, elders must guard themselves, guard the flock and guard the word. These are specific areas of faithfulness to which they are called.

Elders are always on duty as they look after those given to their care. Just as we see in the imagery of shepherds guarding sheep, so too our shepherds guard the flock, giving up much of their lives up in the fulfillment of this task.

Accomplishing the task of shepherding a congregation requires intense dedication. It is natural that over time fatigue and discouragement will set in. Elders must combat this. Additionally, as examples to us, elders must demonstrate the dedication to their role, serving our Lord and growing spiritually. In doing so they teach us to do so by example.

Elders must be united in their role as elders. Even though an elder is in this position, he remains in subjection to the other elders as a company of equals. In this way he demonstrates deep humility, a necessary trait of an effective elder. He must ensure that he refrains from division while also maintaining his objectivity in working with the other elders.

In God's infinite wisdom He gave us leaders in our congregations to help us remain faithful. We must honor these individuals and support them in their role. It is not an easy task and it is one that they will be held accountable for. Because of these things they are indeed worthy of honor.