Game Changers: Understanding Effective Church Membership

By Chester L. Proctor IV

Have you ever thought, There must be something more to church than just attending? Discover how you can become an effective member of Gods church. Follow Brian and Audrey Michaels as they move to a small town, become engaged in the church, struggle to find answers to their questions, and learn about becoming effective members of their church.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Mar 11, 2013
• ISBN: 9781449783617

Chester L. Proctor IV

Chester L. Proctor IV was called into the Gospel Ministry in October of 2007 and served as the senior pastor of a rural church, Alston Baptist, in southeastern Georgia for over three years. After he served faithfully, God moved him to the position of associate pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church in nearby Vidalia. His primary duties were new member education, connections, and assimilation along with various preaching and teaching responsibilities. It was during this time that Chester began working on a project for the church that would put an end to the “revolving door” issue many churches face today. As a result of his planning, implementation, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the idea for Game Changers was born. While serving at Alston Baptist Church, Chester met his wife, Heather, and her four-year-old son, Andrew. In April of 2010, they were married, and in December of 2011, Heather gave birth to their daughter, Ava Grace. Chester is still currently serving as the associate pastor at Tabernacle Baptist, and his focus has recently been expanded to include the children’s ministry. He coaches Andrew’s youth wrestling team and is the vice-moderator of the Daniell Baptist Association in Ailey, Georgia. Chester, Heather, Andrew, and Ava Grace live in Vidalia, Georgia, home of the sweet Vidalia onion.

Book preview

Part 1

The First Requirement - Salvation

Chapter 1

A New Location

That’s it! We’ve finally made it to our new home. Audrey Michaels looked at her husband Brian and smiled.

I’m not sure about this place, Brian she said, It’s a lot smaller than Atlanta or even Statesboro, and we don’t know anyone.

Sure we do honey. We know the Robinsons, and with the size of this town, it won’t be long before we know plenty of people. Brian glanced up and down the street before he looked back to his wife. He noticed her worried look and put his arm around her.

Look, he said, everything will be all right. Audrey forced a smile, but she wasn’t sure her husband was right.

Audrey always thought her intuition was pretty good, and once her mind was made up, arguing with her was futile. After she graduated high school, Audrey moved from Atlanta to Statesboro and attended Georgia Southern University, against her parent’s wishes. Both her parents graduated from the University of Georgia, and they desperately wanted their daughter to follow in their footsteps as a Bulldog. But, with her mind made up she traveled further south.

While she attended Georgia Southern, her cousin Melissa convinced Audrey to meet her boyfriend Henry and their friend Brian in Atlanta. Audrey reluctantly agreed and drove up from Statesboro to meet the trio at Phillip’s Arena for an Earth, Wind and Fire tribute band performance, which with the exception of their rendition of Fantasy, disappointed all of