WHY BOTHER WITH CHURCH?
And other questions about why you need it
and why it needs you
By Sam Allberry
The Good Book Company. 95 pages. £3.99
ISBN 978 1 909 559 141
I liked this book. The author takes quality ingredients: biblical, systematic and pastoral theology relating to the church; and prepares an appetising and nourishing meal to feed us with.
The basic premise is that church is very important for every Christian! The author is concerned for those who profess faith but who distance themselves from church. This may be caused by the consumerism and individualism endemic in society, by poor biblical teaching, or by bad experiences of church life. The answer is to refocus on what the Bible teaches about the church. The book defines what a church is and outlines the characteristics of a good church. It also describes how different types of churches might be run. It gives lots of practical biblical advice on how to be a positive part of a church even with all of its good and bad points. The short section on pages 80–83 on the church as both a human and spiritual organisation is very insightful.
This book is a light meal, but I mean that only in a positive way. The design and size of the book is very engaging. I enjoyed it on my daily commute. There was much that will be helpful across a wide spectrum of churches. The author encourages the reader to ask about details of church life specific to where they worship. This allows him to stick to his core point while dealing only briefly with some secondary, if important issues. I am not entirely convinced that the C of E is an association and not a denomination (p.17). I didn’t agree with the statement ‘communion is not central to the life of the church’ (p.52). I did, however, like the reminder that the church itself demonstrates the power and beauty of the gospel to the heavenly realms. (p.95). And the conclusion… ‘the church is the most important show in town’ (p.95). I agree and warmly recommend this book.
