I Will: Nine Traits of the Outwardly Focused Christian

by Thom S. Rainer

Could you be the answer to the problems you see?
 
Every day we are faced with the needs of those around us. Emotional. Physical. Spiritual. What are we to do about it? Are these problems for our pastors to address or is there a way for the church member to make an impact that will last?
 
Bestselling author Thom S. Rainer answers these questions by offering nine simple traits that you can incorporate into your life no matter your background, stage of life, or sense of capability.   
 
You can do it. Now it's time to just stand up and say you will!

Genres: Christian, Church, Christian Living, Discipleship, Nonfiction, Christianity, Religion

112 pages, Hardcover

First published July 15, 2015

About the author

Thom S. Rainer is the founder and CEO of Church Answers and Executive Director of Revitalize Network. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama where he received his degree in business administration. He received both the master of divinity and the Ph.D. degrees from Southern Seminary.

Dr. Rainer has served as pastor of four churches. He is the former president of Rainer
Group consulting. He served for twelve years as dean at Southern Seminary and for thirteen years as the president and CEO of LifeWay Çhristian Resources.

Dr. Rainer has authored or co-authored 33 books. Among his greatest joys are his family: his wife Nellie Jo; three sons, Sam, Art, and Jess; and eleven grandchildren.

Reviews

[Sunshine Rodgers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new author to me and it was a pretty short book, so I finished it pretty quickly. This book is specifically targeted towards Believers and primarily church go-ers. Rainer is a pastor and I'm sure he's seen it all when it comes to the excuses church members make for not participating in events, volunteering their time or joining a church group. So this book is Rainer's thoughts on the issues of neglect and complacency within the church. He shares stories about how to prevent church burn-out and how to see church for what it is...imperfect people who just want to worship God together in fellowship. Rainer shares thoughts on how we can improve the church environment as well as refocus our attitude about this corporate setting of Believers. Rainer shares "Points to Ponder" at the end of every chapter. At the end of the book, Rainer has a "sign/date" agreement that the reader will focus, pray and be relevant in your church. This book did inspire me to become more active in my local church and not to become a spectator...but a do-er..in volunteering my time and serving my church and community!

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I WILL:NINE TRAITS OF THE OUTWARDLY FOCUSED CHRISTIAN by Thom S. Rainer is a book about "...a believer in Christ and a church member. It is about learning how to have complete joy in your service through your church. It is about becoming a fully functioning member of the body...of Christ.
It is about saying, "I will" instead of focusing inward on our wants and desires.
Philippians 2:1-11
The nine traits are:
1. I will move from "I am" to "I will"
2. I will worship with others
3. I will grow together with others
4. I will serve
5. I will go
6. I will give generously
7. I will not be a church dropout
8. I will avoid the traps of churchianity
9. I will make a difference
I recommend this little inspirational book to all church members. At the end of each chapter there are 4 'points to ponder'. It would be suitable for a small group study.
4.5 stars

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish every church member, every Christian would read this book!

[Josh Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

A succinct follow-up to his previous book, I Am A Church Member. I love the two words that Rainer uses throughout the book - "I will." They are the two words that the church needs to hear on a more frequent basis.

Love that the nine "I Will" statements are stated at the end of the book along with a place for signature.

[Mike Sambuco · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another valuable book that all believers and church members should read, in my opinion. Along with the author's "I Am A Church Member," it would help to prevent many issues that have become common place in many congregations.

[CJ Bowen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basic, solid, and motivating.

[Dr. David Steele · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I want hymns in the worship service.” “I want sermons that are practical and tug on my emotional apron strings.” “I want a slick youth program.” “I want the worship team to dress up.” “I want a quarterly business meeting.” “I want, I want, I want.” This is the lament of many twenty-first century Christians. It is a cry that has been informed by our consumer-based culture. It is an inward cry that makes a plea on the basis of personal preference.

That is the subject of Thom Rainer’s excellent little book, I Will: None Traits of the Outwardly Focused Christian. Rainer contrasts the inward pleas above with a response that is outward. Instead of “I want,” he urges Christians to begin with “I will.” “It is about learning how to have complete joy in your service through your church,” Rainer writes. “It is about becoming a fully functioning member of the body.

The author argues that right attitudes (“I am”) lead to right actions (“I will”). “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the in- interests of others” (Phil. 2:3-4, ESV). Readers are therefore encouraged to commit to the following right actions:

1. I Will Move From “I Am” to “I Will”
2. I Will Worship With Others
3. I Will Grow With Others
4. I Will Serve
5. I Will Go
6. I Will Give Generously
7. I Will Not Be a Church Dropout
8. I Will Avoid the Traps of Churchianity
9. I Will Make a Difference

There is nothing original here - just biblical admonition for Christ-followers who desire to make a maximum impact with their lives to the glory of God. Readers who are trou- bled by Rainer’s challenges should look deeply at their own motives and their commitment to the local church.

Personally, I was deeply encouraged by Rainer’s timely book. I Will is a reminder that a self-focused approach to Christianity will only do harm and discourage the household of faith. The nine traits that Rainer advances will serve the church well and prompt spiritual growth among the faithful flock of God.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.

[Daniel Ligon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very helpful resource by Thom Rainer! "I Will" is basically the sequel to his earlier book, "I am a Church Member." In the earlier book, Rainer examined the attitudes and motivations of church members; in this book he focuses more on our actions in a church setting. Of the two, I found this book to be more helpful to me. In some very practical ways, Rainer compares the expectations that we often have for church to what church life should really look like. Along the way, he has some healthy criticism for "churchianity," the real culture of church tradition that is all too often lived out in our congregations in the place of true Christianity.

Rainer's chapter headings are pretty convicting on their own:
I will move from "I am" to "I will."
I will worship with others.
I will grow together with others.
I will serve.
I will go.
I will give.
I will not be a church dropout.
I will avoid the traps of churchianity.
I will make a difference.

Rainer brings to the table a wide knowledge of church surveys and statistics, an engaging writing style, and most of all, a passion for the institution of the local church. Any church member would benefit from reading this book.

I received a digital copy of this book for free from the publisher and was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are entirely my own.

[Despond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breve pero esencial para cada miembro de la iglesia. Muestra el propósito y función de cada miembro de una manera práctica usando ejemplos reales de sus experiencias ministeriales. Vale la pena que cada miembro lo lea.

[Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting point of view about church members!
I'm not really into non-fiction books but I did enjoy this one. Is a quick read and definitely recommended!

[Amber Yager · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely incredible book, full of God's word and His promises! This book truly makes you self-evaluate and is the perfect mix of encouragement and blunt (much needed) truth. Each chapter concludes with "points to ponder" which allow you to dive even deeper into the scriptures and the application to yourself specifically. Throughout the book, the reader is supplied with specific real-life examples that we can relate to, as well as applicable scripture references. I can't say enough about this book. One of my favorite parts is the appendix, where there is a statement by statement commitment for the reader, complete with a "Sign and date" line. My only regret is that I purchased this on my Nook and do not have the ability to make notes and highlight specific areas. I can promise you I will be getting a hard copy of this one!

[Patrick Chester · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I will" is a relatively short book outlining in progressive steps nine traits of a more effective Christian. These nine traits all center around being a contributing member in a church body. Rainer claims that many Christians are stuck in a me-first, country club church kind of attitude, and that this sort of behavior has been contributing to the overall decline of the church in America. Rainer doesn't simply accuse and bemoan, however. He presents a strategy for helping Christians who are stuck in this way of thinking through a set of progressively more involved steps. The book is challenging and doesn't let any excuses slide, but at the same time it is encouraging to make a change and to help one more closely become aligned with the mission of the kingdom of God through the local church.

[Rev. Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our pastor encouraged our congregation to read this one, and it has some really good points about what being a Christian can look like in a church ---From the Publisher: Now is the time to stand up and say, 'I Will!' Could you be the answer to the problems you see' Every day we are faced with the needs of those around us. Emotional. Physical. Spiritual. What are we to do about it' Are these problems for our pastors to address or is there a way for the church member to make an impact that will last' Bestselling author Thom S. Rainer answers these questions by offering nine simple traits that you can incorporate into your life no matter your background, stage of life, or sense of capability

[Marcus Goncalves · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a short book dealing with a important topic: church membership. The author describes traits that are necessary for a church and its members to be healthy. I would recommend this book to anyone who is thinking about leaving a church over preference (note, I don’t suggest staying in a church with doctrine issues, not following, or skipping passages, of the Bible) issues. You will never find the perfect church ... because it doesn't exist. Because of this we need to manage our expectations. We do this by: staying, being committed, finding a place to serve, and praying for elders and leaders. God will honor and bless that kind of commitment.

[Ryan Rench · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd like to use this as a curriculum for our adult Bible classes to teach through at our church. It's a practical little book good for all church members. I put this on a bookmark at the front of every book I give away at our church:

Thom Rainer is a good voice for biblical church membership. We have taught through some of his materials at our church before, and this book gives several great ideas for being involved in your local church. Even more importantly, the book addresses the spirit of a church member, and that’s what I appreciated the most. I hope you can sense the grace of God through these words as you read them.

[Dena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick read about church membership and how to keep your church healthy. Here are a few quotes I liked:

"Church burnout will not take place if we are seeking to please God in our service rather than to please people."

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

"Vibrant and living churches look after the interests of others. They are concerned for their communities. They open the door for others."

"Members of the dying churches really didn't want growth unless that growth met their preferences and allowed them to remain comfortable."

[Timothy Darling · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this was a good book. That's the bottom line. However, I found it to be slanted to the negative a bit. The assumption in this book was that church members are usually consumeristically driven and that many churches are country club style, contentious places to worship. While I see a lot of good in what Rainer is doing with this book, I'm a little iffy on how intensely I want to recommend it. I'm afraid a reader will get into the book and think, "well this doesn't describe me very well, so maybe I don't have much to get out of it." I'd hate for that to be the approach.

[Daniel Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the sequel to I Am A Church Member, and I think it is better! In fact, we seek to give a copy to every person who attends our membership class. This book focuses on the practical actions of a faithful church member where as I Am A Church Member deals with the proper attitude.

What I love about this book (and the reason we give it away instead of the other one) is that the first chapter summarizes I Am A Church Member. Therefore, you get the best of both worlds...the right attitude and actions of a faithful church member.

[Dave Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just read a fantastic little book by church researcher, Thom Rainer, called I Will. The book is meant as a call to action to church members. Specifically it challenges us on nine major topics, such as, worship, study, growth, evangelism, etc. In typical Rainer fashion, the book is challenging, helping church members to see what it means to faithfully serve Christ. I am thinking of starting a new small group at my church. This book is a strong contender for our first study text.

[Ken Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received this for free, but it would have been worth paying for. Short, yet focused and filled with a practical approach for making the church an entity that will bring real change in the world. Encourages the individual church member to commit to acting in a way that will influence those inside and outside the church. Helpful for church leaders who are seeking to galvanize those who attend to a higher commitment based not on legalism, but on a true zeal that is rooted in individual gifting.

[Cheryl Durham · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very quick read that will make you look at yourself. I am a God fearing believer who knows I can do better. Instead of talking about what others are not doing....the search light needs to be turned inward. I must and will do and be a better version of me....a better version of what MY God expects.

[Will Waller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I Will speaks to the heart of many a pastor's frustration: church members do not participate because they believe someone else will do the work. Beyond this obvious diagnosis, the author notices that churches can struggle when they forget the why for what they do. They are focused on getting jobs done rather than growing people. This is the perfect book for a book study or small group.

[Jeff Bjorgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple and short book by Thom Rainer that pulls no punches. If I was to give a book on practical theology to the everyday church goer, this might just be it. Each chapter is laid out as a challenge for Christians to practice in order to be engaged and vitalized, especially in a world where apathy often seems to win the day. Blunt, convicting, and inspiring. Easy to read in one sitting.

[Brandon Barrier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very simple book as Rainer focuses in on what it looks like to be an active church member. He challenges Christian to change their attitude about church. In America we have become so self-centered that we go into worship with that mindset of what the church can do for me. Throughout the book Rainer gives 9 different things that a Christian should do as a member of a church.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of it is obvious, or so it should be. But as a church staff, it is surprising how unmotivated many in the church are who participate. Lately it has been a small percentage who engage more deeply than simply attending and offering opinions.

If you attend a church and want to do right by your church, read this book. If you work in a church, read this book.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Church can be more!

More than a country club. More than my little clique. More than where I wield power. A place where I serve others, whoever they may be and whatever they may be like.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed it, our church is going through it on Wednesday night. My hope is that it encourages people to have a positive impact on their local church. I really feel like that is what the book is about, are you a helpful member of the body of Christ or something else.

[Aaron Cash · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is all about engagement. The only way you will truly get the most out of this book is if you engage in it's tools and are willing to be molded.

That being said. It is a great book which will empower both yourself and your congregation to goto the next level in him.

[Brittney DeVine-Daugherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gut punch of a book for Christians. It spells out very clearly and with no fluff how to be a joyful church member. If you are feeling down or out of sorts with your church journey this is a must read!

[Christian Tidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives genuine convictions. Especially to me in a season of church transition. I love the key points it makes in biblical reasons to move and emphasizing the value of staying, even in difficult times.