A Place to Belong – Learning to Love the Local Church : Learning to Love the Local Church

This book helps readers delight in being a part of relationships within the church—no matter how messy and awkward they seem—with rich theology, practical direction, and study questions for group use.

“This book is positively, intelligently, and helpfully countercultural.”—Nancy Guthrie, author, Even Better than Eden; Saints and Scoundrels in the Story of Jesus; and the Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament series The church has more beauty—and more value—than we can see with physical eyes. Though our congregations are made up of ordinary people engaged in predictable practices, we are an outpost of heaven itself. The church is the people of God, the dwelling place of the Spirit, and the fullness of Christ. With rich theology and practical direction, A Place to Belong invites us to experience the local church in light of the Bible’s testimony. Considering nine biblical terms for the church—such as beloved, brothers and sisters, saints, and gospel partners—this book equips us to love and serve one another. Whether we are new Christians or mature believers, learning to love the local church can become one of our greatest privileges and highest joys. The church is where we belong. Examines what the Bible says about the priority and blessing of the churchEncourages and equips readers for commitment to local church lifeFocuses on the relationships of the members to the churchIncludes discussion questions and further study recommendations for each chapter