“Every pastor needs this resource, which is sound exegetically, theologically, and pastorally. The 40-question format makes it so readable and easy to use. I’ve written a few things on church membership and discipline, yet still found myself learning throughout. An excellent work.” -- Jonathan Leeman, Editorial Director, 9Marks; Elder, Capitol Hill Baptist Church
“In this excellent book, Jeremy Kimble provides a well-researched and lucidly written account of church membership and church discipline. It distinguishes itself from similar books by considering both Old and New Testament passages, by showing the connections between ecclesiology and other doctrines such as covenant and kingdom. Highly recommended.” -- Bruce Ashford, Professor of Theology and Culture, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
“In recent years, a growing number of evangelicals have shown renewed interest in church membership, church discipline, and related themes. One evidence of this welcome trend is the raft of helpful books, articles, and websites that focus on these key aspects of practical ecclesiology. Jeremy Kimble’s contribution to Kregel’s fine 40 Question series now ranks as one of the best resources for pastors and students who wish to consider the place of the local church in God’s kingdom purposes, as well as his purposes for each of our Christian lives. Kimble offers just the right balance between theory and practice, synthesizing the best of current biblical and theological scholarship with thoughtful, pastorally sensitive application. 40 Questions About Church Membership and Church Discipline is an essential resource that deserves a wide reading. Highly recommended.” -- Nathan A. Finn, Dean, School of Theology and Missions, Union University
“This handbook concisely explains the why and how of church membership and church discipline. Jeremy Kimble, who serves as a pastor and who wrote his PhD dissertation on church discipline, is a faithful guide.” -- Andy Naselli, Professor, Bethlehem College & Seminary; Elder, Bethlehem Baptist Church
“Jeremy Kimble’s original work on a biblical theology of church discipline deeply influenced my own thinking on that doctrine. His perspective is sound, expansive, grounded in good ecclesiology, and practical for churches. Add to this his wise and concrete approach to church membership, and you have an immensely helpful book. When pastors and laypeople ask me to recommend resources on church membership and discipline, this book will be at the top of my list!” -- Gregg R. Allison, Professor,Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; Pastor,Sojourn Community Church
“Few if any topics are more important to the life, health, and mission of local churches than church membership and church discipline. The treatment of these topics by Jeremy Kimble shows both the knowledge of a scholar and the experience of a pastor. The forty-question format will allow pastors and church leaders to find the help they need for the questions they are asking. It may also prompt them to ask some questions they did not realize they needed to ask. Highly recommended!” -- John S. Hammett, Chair of Systematic Theology, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
“Jeremy Kimble’s contribution to the 40 Questions series is one that brings needed clarity to topics often discussed but rarely discussed together. By asking and answering key questions related to church membership and discipline, Kimble brings into focus how these biblical practices are not mere prescriptions for rightly ordered churches but essential and divinely given preventative medicine for church health and growth. Wonderfully helpful, this book is one we need and one we can use.” -- Jason G. Duesing, Provost and Associate Professor, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
“Evangelical Christians living in an age of individualist consumerism often find the idea of church membership (and discipline in particular) a foreign concept. Jeremy Kindle’s biblically informed book will help people see the church—a people gathered by the Holy Spirit to celebrate freedom under the lordship of Christ—as an aspect of the gospel, church membership as a vital feature of discipleship, and church discipline as a means for making disciples more like Jesus. Everyone who thinks that being a Christian means simply attending church once a week needs to read this book. If they do, they will learn that church membership is less a matter of showing up than growing up: of building and being built up, with others, into the whole measure of the fullness of Jesus Christ (Eph. 4:13). There is no more crucial pastoral, or for that matter theological, task for the people of God today than that.” -- Kevin J. Vanhoozer, Research Professor of Systematic Theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
