When the church was a family - recapturing Jesus' vision for authentic christian community

Spiritual formation occurs primarily in the context of community. But as the modern cultural norm of what social scientists call “radical American individualism” extends itself, many Christians grow lax in their relational accountability to the church. Faith threatens to become an “I” not “us,” a “my God” not “our God” concern. When the Church Was a Family calls believers back to the wisdom of the first century, examining the early Christian church from a sociohistorical perspective and applying the findings to the evangelical church in America today. With confidence, author Joseph Hellerman writes intentionally to traditional church leaders and emerging church visionaries alike, believing what is detailed here about Jesus’ original vision for authentic Christian community will deeply satisfy the relational longings of both audiences.

Publisher: B & H
Type: Paperback
ISBN: 9780805447798

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Dr. Joe Hellerman is Professor of New Testament Language and Literature at Talbot School of Theology. He also serves as a team pastor at Oceanside Christian Fellowship, El Segundo, CA, a church that has become a laboratory, of sorts, for Joe’s vision for the church as a family. Joe’s education includes an M.Div. and Th.M. from Talbot, and a Ph.D. in History of Christianity from UCLA.

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'I can not highly recommend this book enough. One of the greatest needs of the church in the west is to recapture biblical community. We simply don't know how to practice community within our western culture. Hellerman brings us back biblical community. Showing us practical ways that the church can move towards biblical community. This book was beyond helpful.' aaron

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** This book is 'aged' meaning due to humidity and paper quality, some pages within are stained or become yellowish **