<transcy>Rediscover Church (Redécouvrir l'Église locale (9Marks))</transcy>
Available: September 2021
“A Christian without a Church is a Christian in difficulty. "
Since a global pandemic abruptly closed places of worship or reduced their capacity, many Christians have abandoned church life, even neglecting virtual services. However, this trend existed long before COVID-19. Indeed, polarizing societal issues, in particular, had already convinced some people to distance themselves from the Church and its members. Now is the time to make a commitment to come together again as brothers and sisters in Christ.
In Rediscovering the Local Church , Collin Hansen and Jonathan Leeman discuss why the Church is essential for believers and the mission of God. Through various Bible texts and personal stories, they show readers the true intention of God for church gatherings: to strengthen members spiritually as individuals and as the body of Christ. In a time when it is difficult to make a serious commitment to a Church and where services are broadcast online, rediscover why the future of the Church depends on the regular gathering of believers as the family of God. .
Authors
Collin Hansen (MDiv, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is vice president of content and editor of the Gospel Coalition. He is an alumnus of Redeemer Community Church in Birmingham, Alabama, and also serves on the Beeson Divinity School Advisory Board.
Jonathan Leeman (PhD, University of Wales) is the Editorial Director of 9Marks and co-host of the Pastors Talk podcast. He is also the author of the books Being a Member of a Local Church and Church Discipline .
Recommendations
Revitalizing the Church after COVID-19 restrictions requires a lucid look at the underlying weaknesses it has exposed. We have seen significant conflicts over the management of the pandemic, a drop in attendance at meetings - including through Zoom - and, with some easing of restrictions, the preference of many to experience the Church from their living room! This book invites us to come back to square one and question our conception of the Church. It forces us to reflect on our role as a member, our relationship with authority, our need for meaningful relationships, and our responsibility to a suffering world. In short, he invites us to do a health check, the outcome of which would be neither a vaccine nor a PCR test, but a return to the God of the Word and his project to build his Church. "
–Mike Evans, President of Gospel 21
“The local church is a wonderful reality. If this is not your experience, I encourage you to read this book. It will help you rediscover why you need the local church, and why the local church needs you. Living the church life as God intended is the best thing we can do for our spiritual growth and that of others. »
–BENJAMIN EGGEN, former coordinator of the blog La Rébellution; author of Thirst for more? ; co-author of the book A life of challenges
"The health crisis of the past few months will have profoundly marked our Western society, including our way of living the Church. It is clear that, despite creativity and considerable progress in mastering digital tools, many of our communities face a significant relationship deficit. Added to this is an increasingly individualistic understanding of how to view and live the local Church. Collin Hansen and Jonathan Leeman remind us of the essential Bible truths that form the basis of God’s vision for the Church. A refreshing book that can serve as a basis in our assemblies for post-COVID reflection on the true meaning of the Church. "
–JÉRÉMIE DEGLON, pastor, coordinator of Gospel21 and director of E21 conferences
“With the pandemic, we discovered virtual church meetings. But if the Church on YouTube is enough for you, you are in danger, and you urgently need to read this book. Thanks to Collin Hansen and Jonathan Leeman for such a helpful book that reminds us of what the Church is and how essential it is to our transformation into Christ's image. A timely book. "
–VINCENT BOURREL, pastor of the Baptist Church Toulouse Métropole
“As a young Christian, I must confess that I did not understand the importance of the local church in God's plan. If so too, this book will change your perspective. Indeed, in Christ, God accomplishes his glorious plan: to gather his people together to worship him. "
–JONATHAN MEYER, pastor of the Evangelical Action Biblique de la Servette Church in Geneva
“In the providence of God, this book comes at its best, as many reflect on the importance of gatherings. The authors make it clear to us the importance of being part of a community of committed believers who come together in one place and at the same time for the worship of the living God. "
–MICHAEL CARON, pastor at the Evangelical Baptist Church of Shawinigan-Sud; partner of the 9Marks ministry for the Francophonie
“This is a must-read book, not only because the authors speak to the subject with great discernment, but also because Christians are in dire need of it right now. Many believe that the future of Christianity lies in the Virtual Church, and the COVID-19 pandemic reinforces this idea. You will find Rediscovering the Local Church very helpful in reminding yourself of the importance of remaining firmly committed to the biblical view of the Church and not embracing any other. I highly recommend reading this book. »
–NIMA ALIZADEH, President and Founder, Iranian Revelation Ministries Inc.
“This book comes at the right time at a time of confusion and disappointment about the essentials of local churches. Hansen and Leeman offer us a logical, practical, biblical, and elementary view of the role of the Church in the life of the believer. It is difficult to imagine that a believer can grow in Christ and live the gospel steadfastly without the help of the local church. If you are wondering why this is so, you must read this book to be convinced and encouraged. I hope and pray that our God will use this book to help rediscover and build up the Church today. »
–MIGUEL NÚÑEZ, Senior Pastor, International Baptist Church, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
“Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, there were different perspectives emerging regarding the Christian Church. The restrictions due to the pandemic have once again made us question our view of the Church and its function. It is therefore necessary, now more than ever, to restore a correct vision of the Church. Collin Hansen and Jonathan Leeman have taken up this challenge and are offering this book to help us achieve such a recovery. Written in a lucid and conversational style, Rediscovering the Local Church offers us a compelling biblical view, filled with depth and practical wisdom. Every church should read and discuss this book. It is filled with important Bible advice to help believers rediscover the Church of Jesus Christ in order to bring Him glory and advance the gospel. »
–KEES VAN KRALINGEN, alumnus, Independent Baptist Church of Papendrecht in the Netherlands, editor of Reformation Today, board member of The Gospel Coalition Nederland
" Rediscovering the Local Church is a relevant, current and indispensable book in a post-pandemic world. We can no longer take the Church for granted; this generation wants to know why we do things the way we do them. Hansen and Leeman skillfully combine biblical thought and real-world experience to deliver a manifesto that offers a vision for the Church for today. Why do we meet physically in the virtual age? Who gave the Church the authority to speak the truth? How do we love those who are part of the Church and those who are not? How do we practice discipline in the Church: with firmness and love? Sometimes impactful (the immorality of Homogeneous Churches), filled with eloquent examples (the Church as Embassy), and always thoughtful, this book should be read and discussed in your Church. »
–J. MACK STILES, missionary and former pastor in the Middle East, author of Evangelism
“There was a time when fundamental truths about the Church were foreign only to nominal Christians who had long since reneged on their commitment to the Church. With the advent of COVID-19 and the availability of online meetings, an increasing number of believers prefer to attend worship from the comfort of their living room. This easy-to-read book, rich in personal anecdotes, is therefore published at a crucial time. Collin Hansen and Jonathan Leeman invite us to rediscover the Church by appreciating a global vision of it. As you read this book, your love will be renewed for the Church and for her head, the Lord Jesus Christ. »
–CONRAD MBEWE, pastor, Kabwata Baptist Church, Lusaka, Zambia
Table of contents
Preface to the series
Introduction
1. WHAT IS A CHURCH?
2. WHO CAN BELONG TO THE CHURCH?
3. DO WE REALLY NEED TO MEET?
4. WHY ARE PREACHING AND TEACHING ESSENTIAL?
5. IS IT REALLY NECESSARY TO BECOME A MEMBER?
6. CAN CHURCH DISCIPLINE REALLY BE FULL OF LOVE?
7. HOW TO LOVE MEMBERS WHO ARE DIFFERENT FROM US?
8. HOW TO SHOW LOVE FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT PART OF THE CHURCH?
9. WHO LEADS THE CHURCH?
Conclusion - You won't get the Church you want, but something much better
Recommended reading
Acknowledgments
Details
Original title : Rediscover Church
Authors : Collin Hansen & Jonathan Leeman
Publisher : Éditions Cruciforme
Publication : September 2021
ISBN : 978-2-925131-23-6
Pages : 203
Dimensions : 5 "x7"
Format : paperback