The Character of the Church the marks of God obedient people

Is it "where three or more are gathered"? Is it songs and a sermon on Sunday? Does it require structure and leadership? How do you know? The Character of the Church dispels confusion by describing the five elements of a biblical church. Concise, accessible, and historically informed, it teaches God’s design for church so you know what to look for in one—or even how to lead one. Useful for training in membership classes, discipleship groups, and elder boards—and even for devotional reading—The Character of the Church is at once theological, practical, and experiential. Readers will not simply be informed, but led to a deeper appreciation of the church of God and its essential marks:
The word of God is faithfully preached
The sacraments are rightly administered
Leadership is biblically formed and functioning
Discipline is practiced with grace
The mission of the church is shared by all
This book will bring churches and Christians back to the biblical picture of a local body, perfect for any believer eager to grow and help others do likewise.

Publisher: Moody
Type: Paperback
ISBN: 9780802414717

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Joe Thorn (MDiv, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is the founding and lead pastor of Redeemer Fellowship in St. Charles, Illinois.

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Four thousand churches close their doors each year. Clearly, something has gone wrong. A big part of the problem is many churches have forgotten their true mission, which is why one of the greatest needs in the church today is a biblically faithful ecclesiology. That’s precisely what Joe Thorn has provided here. Always the caring pastor and careful theologian, he is the ideal person to write this book. Regardless of your tradition or tribe, The Character of the Church will stretch and strengthen your understanding of the local church’s function and form. Ryan Huguley Senior Pastor, Harvest Bible Chapel in Hickory, North Carolina