Jonathan Leeman, On the Role of Church Membership in the Christian’s Life

“A young, unformed player submits to his coach’s discipline and drills, or a young pianist submits to the teacher’s scales and lessons. It’s like the dirt presenting itself to Adam saying, ‘Plow me, cultivate me, bring forth a harvest from me.’ That is what we do with our hearts when we submit them to the church’s authority – we ask to be authored upon for the sake of the Holy, and this submission gives way to exercising authority in the lives of others. We give our hands, feet, and breath to working in their lives – tilling, weeding, and planting seeds.” (The Surprising Offense of God’s Love)