A Place to Belong: Learning to Love the Local Church (Megan Hill)

Description

“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.

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Table of Contents

Introduction

1. Beloved: Loving the People God Loves 

2. Called: Our One Testimony

3. Church: We Gather to Worship

4. Flock: Receiving Care from a Shepherd

5. Body: No Unimportant Parts

6. Saints: Holiness Is a Community Project

7. Brothers and Sisters: Members of the Family 

8. Gospel Partners: We Have Work to Do

9. Multitude: Part of Something Bigger

Acknowledgments


Study Questions


Notes


Bibliography


General Index


Scripture Index

Endorsements

“A thousand messengers point us to the good news of a personal relationship with Christ, but this book contains something precious: the good news of a corporate one. Megan Hill has written a love song for the church, a celebration of the communion of saints in all its present practicality and all its future glory. Her message stirred me to greater love for the fellowship of believers and greater longing for the day when Christ and his bride are at last fully and finally united.”

-- Jen Wilkin, Bible teacher; author, Women of the Word; None Like Him; and In His Image

“This book is positively, intelligently, and helpfully countercultural. It pushes back on our individualism, cynicism, and consumerism and winsomely calls us to invest our lives—indeed find our lives—in something we may be tempted to think is simply not worth the trouble—the local church.”

-- Nancy Guthrie, Bible teacher; author, Even Better than Eden

“Megan Hill’s love for the church and her Savior shines on every page. She possesses an uncommon gift for engaging illustrations and applications. Her theology of the church is biblical, and her instruction winsome as she clarifies what it means for the church’s members to share in each other’s gifts and graces. Readers will find themselves thanking God for his gift of ‘a place to belong.’”

-- Charles M. Wingard, Dean of Students and Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary; author, Help for the New Pastor: Practical Advice for Your First Year of Ministry

“Megan Hill encourages us to think biblically about the church rather than just experientially or emotionally. This book celebrates our ‘blessed belonging’ that is our privilege as God’s covenant people. It is also an accessible tool to prepare us as his bride as we await our bridegroom’s return.”

-- Karen Hodge, Coordinator of Women’s Ministries, Presbyterian Church in America; coauthor, Transformed

Product Details

Author: Megan Hill

Format: Paperback

Page Count: 184

Size: 14.5 cm x 21.7 cm

Weight: 0.3 kg

ISBN: 9781433563737

Published: May 19, 2020