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What are some helpful books on the local church?

One benefit of this blog is that I often get questions about book recommendations. It is always so encoruaging to point out helpful resources that promote biblical minsitry. We are truly blessed in this day and age to have such a high number of helpful resources so readily available.

In this post I want to recommend a few books that foster a biblical view of local church ministry. I put a link to a couple of online stores that have these books after the descriptions.

9Marks of a Healthy Church: This is a very accessible book that outlines 9 marks of a faithful church. Originally penned as a letter from Mark Dever to a friend about what type of church to look for it has become a staple in churches today. (Amazon, Westminster)

The Deliberate Church: This book intends to take the 9 Marks and then work to implement them in a church that is not currently practicing them. It is very helpful in that wherever you are in the spectrum of the local church priority, it serves to explain, reinforce, and equip you to be faithful. (AmazonWestminster)

What is a Healthy Church Members: Once again, pivoting off of the 9 Marks book, this book aims to make particular application for church members to expect and live out these important characteristics of being a healthy church member. We are currently going through this book at Emmaus in our small groups. (AmazonWestminster)

The Master’s Plan for the Church: As the title indicates this book unpacks what the Bible says about the local church and how it is to function. The author uses the anology of the body to showcase how God uses various parts for the good of the whole body. This would be a bit more in depth than 9 Marks but hit many of the same points. (Amazon)

Why We Love the Church: A series of well-written essays by younger guys articulating why they are not caught up in the new fads that try to discredit and impugn organized religion. On the contrary, they embrace it. (AmazonWestminster)

The Shepherd Leader: The author unpacks the priority and practice of pastoral ministry for a healthy church. Every pastor or aspiring pastor should read this book. (AmazonWestminster)

The Surprising Offense of God’s Love: I find premise of this book fascinating. The author highlights a misunderstanding of God’s love (that it’s unconditional) and then uses that to demonstrate how the gospel explains and supports both church membership and church discipline. It is a bit longer than these books but very helpful. (AmazonWestminster)

This is my short-list right now. Any other suggestions?

 

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