Sunday morning blues?

CHURCH: DO I HAVE TO GO?
By J. Garrett Kell
9 Marks / Christian Focus. 151pages. £5.99
ISBN 978 1 527 104 266

This book is part of the 9 Marks’ ‘First Steps’ series of workbooks, specifically designed to help those from an unchurched background ‘begin to take first steps in following Jesus’.

They are meant to be used either for reading on one’s own, or else in a small group or one-to-one setting. To that end this book is exceedingly helpful. Simple, yet not simplistic – structured in such a way (with questions, examples, key points outlined, and the story of a man named ‘Brian’ throughout each chapter) as to carefully facilitate thought and discussion. It is worth noting that it is organised as more of a ‘study manual’ rather than containing longer chapters or dense paragraphs.

In each chapter, Kell does an excellent job of focusing on key aspects of the local church and showing why they are important and how they work, as well as answering questions or concerns, before finishing with a memory verse and a summary of each section. There are chapters on leadership, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, for example, as well as membership, and the oftencontested topic of what the mission of the church actually is.

Whilst this is a book written specifically for those from an unchurched background, at a number of points I found myself thinking that it ought to have a wider audience; it is potentially useful for youth work or students, membership classes, or even those who have been in church for a number of years, but are unclear on aspects of church polity or practice. It would be particularly helpful for those less ‘booky’ types among our congregations. Kell writes with such clarity and pastoral insight that I will be recommending it to a wide range of people in our church.