The Character of the Church

The Marks of God's Obedient People

Joe Thorn

• Publisher: Moody Publishers
• Year: 2017
• ISBN:
  9780802494696
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Church

What makes a church a church?

Is it "where three or more are gathered"? Is itsongsand asermon on Sunday? Does it requirestructure and leadership? How do you know?

The Character of the Church dispels confusionbydescribingthe five elements of a biblical church. Concise, accessible, and historically informed, it teaches God's design for church so you know what to look for in one—or even how to lead one.

Useful for training in membership classes, discipleship groups, and elder boards—and even for devotional reading— The Character of the Church is at once theological, practical, and experiential. Readers will not simply be informed, but led to a deeper appreciation of the church of God and its essential marks:

• The word of God is faithfully preached
• The sacraments are rightly administered
• Leadership is biblically formed and functioning
• Discipline is practiced with grace
• The mission of the church is shared by all

This book will bring churches and Christians back to the biblical picture of a local body, perfect for any believer eager to grow and help others do likewise.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• Introduction
• Part 1: The Word Rightly Preached
• Part 2: The Ordinances Rightly Administered
• Part 3: Leadership Biblically Formed and Functioning
• Part 4: Discipline Practiced with Grace
• Part 5: The Mission Shared by All
• Notes
• Acknowledgments
• More from the Series