THE COMPELLING COMMUNITY
By Mark Dever & Jamie Dunlop
Crossway 9Marks. 220 pages. £10.99
ISBN 978 1 433 543 548
Much church growth has relied on the idea that like attracts like. Congregations are tailored to reach a certain demographic and long standing churches may think in terms of ‘our sort of people.’
This book challenges such an approach. Its basic premise is that centred on the gospel, the church should witness to the world and the principalities and powers, precisely because people who naturally would have no affinity or even be enemies (like Jews & Gentiles, old & young, rich & poor) are seen to be reconciled and love one another in Christ. Diversity should characterise us and our leadership teams – a fellowship wrought by supernatural power.
The underlying problem is that many churches are built on spiritual consumerism rather than gospel hearted service. This book is about building, fostering and protecting churches which are communities which wouldn’t exist if God didn’t.
In the usual 9Marks style it is extremely practical getting down to the nitty gritty of membership, staff appointments and dealing with discontent and sin within the church.
Many Christians have been concerned for a long time that we have churches built on youth, music, class, ethnicity etc and have wondered what this says to the fractured world around us. This book is a much to be admired contribution to addressing the problem. Every leadership team should read it.
