Friday, February 10, 2012

"Why Church Matters?" by Joshua Harris

Stop dating the church.  That's the message, and the original title, of author and pastor, Josh Harris', book Why Church Matters: Discovering Your Place in the Family of God. This is quit ironic, as the author admits.  Having already written two books on relationships, not to mention another on lust and sexual sin, Harris now writes a book about a relationship, but a different one.  On this irony, he writes:

The irony of this was that even though I had stopped paying the dating game with girls, I was perfectly happy to keep playing it with the church.  I liked attending on weekends, and I enjoyed the social benefits of church, but I didn't want the responsibility that came with real commitment.

And I can think of no better illustration of what most Christians are doing with the church; simply dating her. Dating with no commitment.  Critical and not loving.  Fickle and not selflessness.  Consumeristic and not communal.

Harris indicts the average American Christian from individualistic, self-centered complacency and the excuses oftentimes offered are inexcusable.  As a pastor, I hear these excuses all the time. The church is full of hypocrites.  All they do is fight.  The sermons are too long.  I don't like the music. Etc.  But as Harris argues, the church, though certainly imperfect, is more than these things.  The church is the Bride and we cannot understand marriage without rightly understanding what the church is and what Christ has done for Her.  Harris spends some time discussing Ephesians 5 and then adds:

If Jesus loves the church, you and I should, too.  We can't use the excuse that the church has messed up too many times or that we're disillusioned.  Jesus is the only person who has the right to disown and give up on the church.  But He never has.  And he never will.

And neither should we.  Stop dating the church. The church matters and we are to be a part of what God is doing in His church.

Throughout the book, the author offers both pastoral insight and a sound theology that is refreshing and pleasant to my ears.  This is a book that I wish all of our members would read.  The church matters and it is time to stop pretending that the local church and our participation in it is optional.

One of the most practical chapters in the book regards the question of how to choose a church. Harris offers a number of things to consider:

1.  Is this a church where God's Word is faithfully taught?
2.  Is this a church where sound doctrine matters?
3.  Is this a church in which the gospel is cherished and clearly proclaimed?
4.  Is this a church committed to reaching non-Christians with the gospel?
5.  Is this a church whose leaders are characterized by humility and integrity?
6.  Is this a church where people strive to live by God's Word?
7.  Is this a church where I can find and cultivate godly relationships?
8.  Is this a church where members are challenged to serve?
9.  Is this a church that is willing to kick me out?
10.  Is this a church I'm willing to join 'as is' with enthusiasm and faith in God?

This is a helpful list and includes things often left out (like #9) and summarizes the spirit, wisdom, and good of the book.  As I said above, this is a book I would like for our entire congregation to read and to consider. Are we Christians just dating the church?  If so, then we are in serious trouble.  I highly recommend this book written by a well-respected pastor and author.

Stop dating the church.


I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.  


Other titles by Joshua Harris:
Reviews - Sex is Not the Problem (Lust Is) 
Reviews - "Dug Down Deep" byJoshua Harris
Reviews - "Start Here" by Alex and Brett Harris


Other titles on the church:
Reviews - "A Light To the Nations"
Reviews - "What is a Healthy Church Member?"
Reviews - "Why Men Hate Going to Church" by David Murrow 
Reviews - "Biblical Foundations For Baptist Churches"
Reviews - "The Body"
Reviews - "9 Marks of a Healthy Church" 
Reviews - "He is Not Silent"
Reviews - "Women's Ministry in the Local Church"
Reviews - "The Purpose-Driven Church"
Reviews - "Church on the Other Side"


Other WaterBrook Multnomah Titles:
Reviews - "Culture Shift" by R. Albert Mohler
Reviews - "Radical Together"
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