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Stop dating the churchThe best place on earthSTOP DATING THE CHURCH C.H. Spurgeon once referred to the local church as 'the dearest place on earth'. The aim of this little book is to encourage readers to embrace that same truth and to imitate Christ's own passion for the church. I Kissed Dating Goodbye launched Josh Harris's writing career. In this new book, the author returns to the theme of relationships but this time he focuses on our relationship to the local church. In a winsome manner Harris exposes the fallacy of pursuing a relationship with Jesus without being committed to a relationship with his people. The book provides a precious remedy for those who have fallen into the trap of church dating. The book opens with a compelling exposition of God's purposes for the church: she is the bride of Christ, the body of Christ and the temple of God. Jesus is passionately committed to the church and because of that we should be, too. In provocative and persuasive terms, Harris urges us that commitment to a local church is an essential part of the Christian life. In the following chapters Harris unpacks what commitment to the local church looks like: it entails joining a church, making it a priority, making your pastor's job a joy, finding ways to serve, giving and connecting with people. The later chapters dispense wise and godly counsel on how to choose a church and how to get the most (and give the most) on Sundays. Josh Harris has produced a tremendous resource. The book is well-illustrated throughout: it is clear, biblical and challenging. In a culture dominated by individualism this book succeeds in convincing readers to love what Jesus loves - his church. Read this book and recommend it to anyone who struggles to understand why they should be committed to a local church. It is truly the dearest place on earth. Ralph Cunnington© Evangelicals Now - February 2005 |