What Is a Healthy Church Member?AnyabwileA companion to What Is a Healthy Church?, this short book switches the focus from the responsibilities of a church to the responsibilities of the church member. Thabiti argues that every member of a church should be active for it to flourish and shows us how good this is for us both individually and corporately.
Love Your ChurchTony MeridaHelping you to see the value of really getting in stuck in a church, why it's important not from a 'works' perspective but being a part of the community and the joy that brings.
ServeSteve RobinsonLooking at the example of Jesus, Liverpool pastor Steve Robinson digs into the importance and joy of serving in the church. Ideal if your feeling stuck, weary and unmotivated. It's also got small group resources available so you can go through the book in a Bible study setting.
BelongBarnabas PiperIn six chapters Piper sets out a manifesto for what church when we take our place in it. He shows readers that we do belong, what this means, what it actually looks like in reality, how it happens, and how to keep Christ central in our thoughts and actions. This is a shorter but really helpful book.
Who Needs the Church?Terry L. JohnsonOften we come to the subject of the local church from the perspective of what we can get from church attendance and often choose which church to attend on the same basis. In this book Terry Johnson introduces the importance of the local church in the light of what he calls a "collapsing ecclesiology", how the Bible views the church, the blessings found in the church, and how we can belong there. Johnson argues for the central role the local church should have in the life of every believer.
A Fellowship of DifferentsScot McKnightThis book focuses on how we come together to form tightly-knit communities which are united in and shaped by Christ, how they should reflect diversity, and how we can present this to a watching world. He shows us how church participation is more than going to a church service but involves investing all our resources in the effort of bringing together our differences and celebrating them as we live together corporately.
The Compelling CommunityJamie DunlopIn 'The Compellign Community' Mark Dever sets out a vision for church community arguing that it is a gift from God which is for our good and the good of the world. He explores its depth and breadth, shows how a greater sense of community can be fostered and protected, and how evangelism can have a huge impact when we move out together in sharing the gospel.
Life TogetherDietrich Bonhoeffer; Samuel WellsWritten in 1938 by Lutheran minister, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, this classic is as relevant today as it was in Nazi Germany. It focuses on the theme of Christian community and how harmonious living is possible for churches. He sets out a compelling case for unity in Christ and shows how this may be achieved and what we can do to form lasting communities through mutual affection toward each other and Christ. This is essential reading if you're thinking about service, community, and the local church. [For a biography of Bonhoeffer, try 'Bonhoeffer' by Eric Metaxas.]
The Book Your Pastor Wishes You Would ReadChristopher AshThis is a book which encourages us to care better for our pastors. Ash says that ministry is often a tough, there are encouragements but also discouragements along the way, and we can provide both by how we act. His main thrust is that if we are to experience a joyful and cared-for church, we need a joyful and cared-for pastor. He argues that we need to know our pastors and care for them in order to help them in their unique and difficult task.
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