I read (or re-read) about 20 books on the church this week (ironic — I’m writing a book on productivity, and yet I felt compelled to review my understanding of the church before fully diving in; there is a relationship there that I might talk about sometime).
Many of the books were really good, but one of them stands out above all others: Mark Dever’s Nine Marks of a Healthy Church.
Whether or not you are a pastor, it is important for all Christians to have a good grasp of the doctrine of the church and what makes for a healthy church. One reason for this, as I blogged the other day (also from Dever’s book), is that it is ultimately the church members who, at the human level, are most responsible for what the church becomes.
With that in mind, if you are looking for the one book to read that might give you the best help in understanding what makes for a healthy church, I would recommend Dever’s Nine Marks of a Healthy Church. You will be more equipped to serve your church and love people if you read this book — whether or not you are a pastor.
And, it’s also an enjoyable read.