What is The Big Church Read?

Seven years ago, in an online forum called ‘Shower Thoughts’, a user posted something I’ll never forget:

“Church is just a big book club”.

It’s one of those ideas where the more you think about it, the more it kind of makes sense. A Book Club meets regularly, can contain a wide variety of people, either begins or ends with refreshments, and everybody is reading the same book. Also like a book club, a Church will have differences of opinion and interpretation about how to read the book or what it means. I could go on all day about the similarities and differences. Of course, the book club idea skips past what Church is really all about, but the shape of the two groups are remarkably similar. This is doubly so for small groups.

This all begs the question: why has nobody made a Churchwide book club yet?

Well, they have.

It’s The Big Church Read.

The Big Church Read is a book club for the whole of the UK Church. It was founded through a partnership between St.Andrew’s Bookshop and the publisher Hodder & Stoughton with an aim to “encourage a culture of reading good Christian books within the UK Church”. This joint initiative helps Christians discover some of the brilliant books available today. It’s also a chance to take part in discussions about the book with Chirstians from all around the country.

The Big Church Read is a way to get Christians to read the same book together and then take part in discussing the book. What it means, what we can take from it, and how it speaks to the Church today.

Like all things right now, The Big Church Read in an online event. Whilst reading the book itself can be done wherever and whenever suits you, the discussions and resources can all be found on their website.

Every Big Church Read kicks off with an introductory video from the author. Then you’ll get a reading plan that paces the book out over a 4 - 8 week period. There is no need to rush through the book. You’ll be reading it at a manageable pace. At the beginning of each week, there’ll be a new video that discusses the chapter or section you’re about to read. You can watch these videos in an online group or on your own. Alongside all this will be free downloadable resource packs and questions for discussion.

The best part is, aside from getting your own copy of the book, all the resources and videos and guides are completely free. Once you have a copy of the book, you are ready to take part in The Big Church Read. There is also no rule saying you have to do the current book. The resources remain available, so you or your group can read and meet at your own pace.

But what are The Big Church Read books?

We are currently only on the second Big Church National Read, so you haven’t missed too much. Here are the picks for the first four Big Church National Reads:

The First National Big Church Read: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer

The Second National Big Church Read: Singing in Babylon by Jeff Lucas

The Third National Big Church Read (beginning 23rd May 2021): How to Pray by Pete Grieg

The Fourth National Big Church Read (beginning 8th September 2021): Bouncing Forwards by Patrick Regan

As well as these, there is an ongoing, year-long read: The Big Church 365 Read. Simon Gillenabd’s Choose Life is the book of choice for the Big Church 365 Read this year. Each week the author releases a video discussing the readings and some of the topics they explore.

How can you take part in The Big Church Read?

There are three ways you can take part in the Big Church Read:

1. As an individual
2. As a small group
3. As a Church

For each way of joining, The Big Church Read provides you the resources and extras to help you either facilitate or take part in the discussions and activities.

Go get started, simply pick your book then head over to the thebigchurchread.co.uk and get ready to join the discussion. To find out even more, check out this conversation with two of The Big Church Read's founders below.