Monergism Books

Binding: Hardcover
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Crossway
ISBN#: 9781581349375

Availability: Usually Ships the Same Business Day

Description:Guides both pastors and members to recognize key characteristics of a healthy church and then challenge each person to do his or her part in developing those characteristics in the local church body.

What is an ideal church, and how can you tell?

How does it look different from other churches? More importantly, how does it act differently, especially in society? Many of us aren’t sure how to answer those questions, even though we probably have some preconceived idea. But with this book, you don’t have to wonder any more.

Author Mark Dever seeks to help believers recognize the key characteristics of a healthy church: expositional preaching, biblical theology, and a right understanding of the gospel. Dever then calls us to develop those characteristics in our own churches. By following the example of New Testament authors and addressing church members from pastors to pew sitters, Dever challenges all believers to do their part in maintaining the local church. What Is a Healthy Church? offers timeless truths and practical principles to help each of us fulfill our God-given roles in the body of Christ.

Excerpt: Preface, Introduction, and Chapter 1 - 154K PDF

Table of Contents
Preface: A Parable 9
Introduction: What Are You Looking for in a Church? 13

Part 1. What Is a Healthy Church?
1. Your Christianity and Your Church 21
2. What a Church Is... and Isn't 33
3. What Every Church Should Aspire to Be: Healthy 39
4. The Ultimate How-to Guide: How to Display God's Character 49

Part 2. Essential Marks of a Healthy Church
5. Expositional Preaching 63
6. Biblical Theology 69
7. A Biblical Understanding of the Good News 75

Part 3. Important Marks of a Healthy Church
8. A Biblical Understanding of Conversion 85
9. A Biblical Understanding of Evangelism 89
10. A Biblical Understanding of Membership 93
11. Biblical Church Discipline 101
12. Biblical Discipleship and Growth 107
13. Biblical Church Leadership 113
14. Conclusion: Where the Rubber Meets the Road 119
Appendix: A Typical Covenant of a Healthy Church 123
Special Thanks