What Is the Church and Why Does It Exist?

by David Fitch

Overview

What is the church? And why does it exist? These are essential questions for those who seek to follow Jesus in community.

David Fitch delves into the origins of the church, exploring the identity and calling of the body of Christ in scripture and church history. Learn about the Christian practices that shape the church and how our understandings of church might change in light of the life of the church through the centuries. At a time when the church in the US is losing credibility and cultural privilege, Fitch calls us to embrace historic Anabaptism as a model for thriving as God’s people in our own time and place.

The Jesus Way: Small Books of Radical Faith delve into big questions about God’s work in the world. These concise, practical books are deeply rooted in Anabaptist theology. Crafted by a diverse community of internationally renowned scholars, pastors, and practitioners, The Jesus Way series helps readers deepen their faith in Christ and enliven their witness.
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781513805702
Publisher:	MennoMedia
Publication date:	03/30/2021
Series:	Jesus Way: Small Books of Radical Faith
Pages:	96
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 8.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

David Fitch is B. R. Lindner Chair of Evangelical Theology at Northern Seminary Chicago, IL. He is also one of the co-founders of Missio Alliance and coaches a network of church plants in the Christian and Missionary Alliance. He is the founding pastor of Life on the Vine Christian Community, a missional church in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, and recently has joined the pastoral staff of a daughter congregation, Peace of Christ Church in Westmont, IL. He writes on the issues the local church must face in mission, including cultural engagement, leadership and theology, and has lectured and presented on these topics at many seminaries, graduate schools, denominational gatherings and conferences. His books include The Church of Us vs. Them and Faithful Presence: Seven Disciplines that Shape the Church for Mission.

Table of Contents

Introduction to The Jesus Way Series from Herald Press 9

Introduction 11

1 What Is the Church? A Practicing Community 15

2 What Is the Church? Further Considerations 27

3 Why Church? Presence Is How God Works 37

4 Why Church? God's Mission 47

5 How Do We Do Church? Social Spaces 55

6 How Do We Do Church? Three Places 63

Epilogue 71

Glossary 75

Discussion and Reflection Questions 79

Shared Convictions 83

Notes 85

The Author 91

Interviews

Westmont, IL 60559
 

Editorial Reviews

The days of sitting in pews pointing in the same direction one day a week as ‘church’ are melting away. But how do we do that? Fitch gives us direction for taking the next step.

BRUXY CAVEY

David Fitch reinvigorates imagination for what the church needs to be in these apocalyptic times. Church isn’t simply a service on Sunday morning but a joyful, healing, loving, faithful, surprised-filled community that bears witness to Jesus.”
 

JR WOODWARD

David Fitch takes us back to the ways of Jesus, where church is defined by the communion of practices, culture of presence, and sense of mission. A must read for anyone keen on seeing the church renewed.”
 

MABIALA KENZO

A compelling vision of the church as a community of practices tending to the presence of Christ in the world. A welcome message for Christian leaders navigating mission in a post-Christendom world.”
 

EMILY MCGOWIN

David Fitch gives us hope that church still matters. His analysis can invigorate those who might be discouraged over the church’s current ambiguous place in society.”
 

DENNIS EDWARDS

David Fitch draws from the heart of the Anabaptist tradition to present a refreshing vision of a gathered community. If you (or people you know) have lost hope, spend an hour with Fitch.”
 

NIJAY K. GUPTA