Overview
What makes a church a church?
Is it "where three or more are gathered"? Is it songs and a sermon on Sunday? Does it require structure and leadership? How do you know?
The Character of the Church dispels confusion by describing the 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.
While major retailers like Amazon may carry The Character of the Church (The Marks of God's Obedient People), we specialize in bulk book sales and offer personalized service from our friendly, book-smart team based in Portland, Oregon. We’re proud to offer a Price Match Guarantee and a streamlined ordering experience from people who truly care.
We’re trusted by over 75,000 customers, many of whom return time and again. Want proof? Just check out our 25,000+ customer reviews—real feedback from people who love how we do business.
Prefer to talk to a real person? Our Book Specialists are here Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST and ready to help with your bulk order of The Character of the Church (The Marks of God's Obedient People).