We will never find joy in church membership when we are constantly seeking things our way. But paradoxically, we will find the greatest joy when we choose to be last. That's what Jesus meant when He said the last will be first. True joy means giving up our rights and preferences and serving everyone else.

If outside forces and culture were the reasons behind declining and non-influential churches, we would likely have no churches today. The greatest periods of growth, particularly the first-century growth, took place in adversarial cultures. We are not hindered by external forces we are hindered by our own lack of commitment and selflessness.

The concept of an inactive church member is an oxymoron. Biblically, no such church member really exists.

Faith and optimism are contagious.

Healthy church membership means you find your joy in being last, instead of seeking your way and being first.

Introverts don't like small talk conversation, but they typically don't mind writing. The more people can see you on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, or a blog, the more they will feel like they know you, even though you don't have one-on-one interaction with them.