Joshua Harris has written a wonderful book on the importance of the local church in the life of a Christian.  It is a small book of about 130 pages (small pages too), but it is clear and accurate.

 

Joshua Harris is the pastor of Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland (since 2004).  He was mentored by C.J. Mahaney (author of The Cross-Centered Life).  Harris has written other books such as I Kissed Dating Goodbye and Not Even a Hint: Guarding Your Heart Against Lust.  I highly recommend the latter.  See my review of it.

 

Summary of the book

 

Chapter One: Can This Relationship Be Saved? Harris introduces us to the theme of the book.  He says, “[God] wants you in a relationship [with the church] defined by both passion and commitment” (12).  Harris tells how he changed from being a “church dater” to one in love with and committed to the local church.  A church dater is “me-centered (16), independent (16-17), and critical (17).  He calls the church God’s vehicle for spreading the gospel to the world (20), “God greenhouse” for growing the Christian (21), and the “community” of the people of God (21).

 

Chapter Two: He Still Calls Her His Bride.  According to Ephesians 5, “Christ views the church like a bridegroom sees his bride” (26).  Harris says we should love the church simply because Christ does. 

 

Chapter Three: Why We Really Need the Local Church.  Harris argues that it is not enough to claim to be a member of the universal church.  He questions whether it is possible to be a part of the universal church without also being a part of the local church.  He asks, “Wouldn’t that be like telling your new bride that while your love is true, you have other priorities?” (45). The local church was the focus of NT apostles and their writing and it best shows non-Christians the new life of a believer in a “new society.”  The local church also distinguishes itself from parachurch ministries with the ordinances of baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and church discipline (Matthew 18; 1 Corinthians 5:1-9) (49).  The members of the church are to help each other to grow up in Christ (1 Peter 2; Hebrews 10:24-25).

 

Chapter Four: Join the Club.  Harris likens the church to a club in which a person is passionate.  In making the comparison to a church he profiles a commitment to the church:

1. You Join

2. You make the local church a priority

3. You try to make your pastor’s job a joy

4. You find ways to serve

5. You give

6. You connect with people

7. You share your passion

 

Chapter Five: Choosing Your Church.  Harris highlights 10 things that matter most about a church to aid Christian in the important tasks of choosing a church.

 

Chapter Six: Rescuing Sunday.  Harris discusses how a person should prepare for the Lord’s Day (Sunday), how he can benefit most from his time with the church family, and how he should follow up his meeting with the body on the Lord’s Day.

 

Chapter Seven: The Dearest Place on Earth.  This is Harris’ final appeal to love the church as Christ does.

 

 

Good points about the book

 

Good quotes.  Harris has collected great quotes.  Here are some examples:

 

• John Stott says, “If the church is central to God’s purpose as seen in both history and the gospel, it must surely also be central to our lives.  How can we take lightly what God takes so seriously?  How dare we push to the circumference what God has placed at the center?” (65).
• Chuck Colson says, “But for any Christian who has a choice in the matter, failure to cleave to a particular church is failure to obey Christ” (45).  Colson made a great statement here.  I almost didn’t list it though because of his sickening statements and choices which reflect a great lack of discernment regarding the heretical teaching of Roman Catholicism.  Regardless, his statement about the local church is great.
• Mark Dever says, “If you are not a member of the church you regularly attend, you may well be going to hell.”  That is a great quote!  Harris explains this at-first-glance-horrible statement.  Read page 55 to gain the full impact.

 

Good application. Is the local church a priority for you?  Harris helps you determine this.  He says, “We build our lives around priorities.  Building your life around the church means making it the kind of priority that secondary concerns flow around, not over” (68).  He points out the secondary concerns include issues like your job and where you live.  Some may need to quite their jobs and move in recognition of the more important priority of the local church.

 

Harris applies this to high school and college students.  In choosing a college, the student must consider the importance of the local church (69).

 

Harris’ advice concerning Sunday with the church family is very helpful.  It is easy for a Christian to rush into church, through church, and home from church without benefiting from the time as God intends. 

 

Application abounds.  There is too much good stuff to list.  Read the book!

 

 

Not so good points about the book

The book is great.  He could have made it better by referencing 1 Timothy 3:15 where Paul describes the local church.  Truth from this passage would greatly bolster Harris’ point in chapter 3 that the church is central to God’s work on earth today.

 

To sum it up…

The book is an excellent read!  Put it high on your list of books to read.  There aren’t many books written on this important topic – don’t let this one pass you by.  Read it an reap!