GOD’S NEW COMMUNITY
By Graham Beynon
IVP. 137 pages. £6.99
ISBN 1 84474 078 1
This challenging book is a thought-provoking exploration of what it means to be a part of the church.
In short, accessible chapters Graham Beynon encourages the reader to think of church not simply in terms of buildings, services or activities but as a family of people who believe in and belong to Jesus Christ. Most of the chapters are based on Bible passages that teach the purposes and responsibilities of the church and he applies this teaching in a fresh and inspiring way.
Each chapter concludes with study questions, which makes it an ideal book to use for small group discussions.
The author discusses what it means to belong to each other: that we are to be responsible for each other, involved with each others’ lives and dependent on each other. Later chapters provide an in-depth study of the way in which members of the church are to love each other, including helpful illustrations of how this may be worked out in practice.
In the final chapter he uses the description of the believers in Acts 2 to paint an exciting picture of what a church that is committed to following these principles might look like.
In an increasingly fragmented culture it is refreshing to be reminded of God’s blueprint for His new community. Graham Beynon challenges the reader to play a part in making the blueprint more of a reality.
Carolyn Lacey,
member of Kensington Baptist Church, Bristol
