Putting in their hour or two on the weekend, many Christians take the rest of the week off, neglecting the church and her needs. It’s not a s...
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reviews
May 31, 2008
Charles
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An amazing book that paints a beautiful picture of the purpose of church and how we're supposed to interact with it. Although Joshua Harris has done a phenomenal job with providing examples and personal stories, he sets up quite an idealistic example of the church. This isn't bad, but in some ways the book came across as a to do list. It's still good though that he shows how a church should operate, and gives us a great idea of what we should be striving for at the least.
I definitely More...
I definitely More...
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Mar 19, 2008
Jeanne
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Fantastic book that opened my eyes and helped me realize my responsibility to my local church. I especially enjoyed the thoughts on attending church as a consumer vs. a communer. Consumers critique and analyze the singing, the sermon, the experience. A communer is there to stand before the "Audience of One".
Favorite quotes/paraphrases from the book:
"As the meeting (Sunday church service) starts, remember that you're not here to be entertained. You're not p More...
Favorite quotes/paraphrases from the book:
"As the meeting (Sunday church service) starts, remember that you're not here to be entertained. You're not p More...
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Jul 24, 2011
James
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I am reviewing the updated version of this book elsewhere (now titled, "Why Church Matters") so will not provide a full review here, but here are some of criticisms:
1. This book is addressed to people who have intellectual doubts about why the church is important and does not address pastoral concerns of those who have been seriously wounded by the church. As I read this book I thought of people I know with 'Church Angst' and found that Harris either is unaware of the ways in More...
1. This book is addressed to people who have intellectual doubts about why the church is important and does not address pastoral concerns of those who have been seriously wounded by the church. As I read this book I thought of people I know with 'Church Angst' and found that Harris either is unaware of the ways in More...
Jun 13, 2011
Nate
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We are a generation of consumers, independent and critical. We attend church, but we don’t want to settle down and truly invest ourselves. We’re not into commitment — we only want to date the church. Is this what God wants for us?
In Stop Dating the Church!: Fall in Love with the Family of God, bestselling author Joshua Harris says no, God’s purpose for Christians involves a deep commitment to a local church. This commitment involves far more than showing up on Sunday to sing, chat, and lis More...
Nov 11, 2010
Jerry
rated it:
Joshua Harris normally writes relationship books and is well known for the book I Kissed Dating Goodbye. In Stop Dating The Church he uses the same type of style and approach to challenge the reader in their relationship with a local church.
What type of relationship does God want you to have with a local body of believers? Joshua starts out the book looking at some parallels between dating and the way many Christians attend church. There is a great danger for the Christian who is not c More...
What type of relationship does God want you to have with a local body of believers? Joshua starts out the book looking at some parallels between dating and the way many Christians attend church. There is a great danger for the Christian who is not c More...
Nov 02, 2010
Joshua
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This is a different kind of book for Joshua Harris. Most who have heard of him know Harris primarily as a speaker to junior high and high school students, challenging them to reject our culture's notions of casual dating and pursue different, more intentional kinds of relationships. His book I Kissed Dating Goodbye was born out of his many conferences and speaking tours along these lines.
I'll admit some skepticism about reading Harris. His previous books were excellent resources for te More...
I'll admit some skepticism about reading Harris. His previous books were excellent resources for te More...
Aug 13, 2008
Snorkle
rated it:
A practical guide to what you should think about and consider before choosing a church. I found the information in this book to be extremely well researched and thought provoking. Joshua Harris did an excellent job of telling you what you should look for and then explaining exactly why you need to meet those standards. I'd recommend this book.
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2008/05...
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2008/05...
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Jan 05, 2011
Jon
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This book gives a fresh call to the world to become radical church-livers. It screams at you from the first page to commit to your church...because that is what God has for you. As you dig into this powerful book, Josh lays out strong practical applications based solely on great insight into the Word. I loved the foundational exposition of Ephesians 5; it was gorgeous picture of our Christ's view of the church. Josh Harris finds a kind, direct way to say that we are wasting our lives if we are n
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May 24, 2010
Greg
rated it:
Josh Harris has presented a short and simple, readable, much-needed treatise on the necessity of passionate involvement in the local church. To many Christians and professing Christians fail to embrace Christ' church, they fail to love those within it and they fail to get involved in serving as a member in it (instead, as most self-centered Americans, seeking to be served). Josh spells out clearly that Biblically, involvement in and love for the church is a required fruit for all true believers.
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Sep 10, 2009
Nathanael
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After having been across four cities over the past year, this book refreshed my perspective on the need to plug in to the local church. The second and fifth chapters, "He Still Calls Her His Bride" and "Choosing Your Church," were especially helpful. I need to know the 'why' and the 'what to do with it.' Harris delivered these well.
The tough part isn't reading these 90 pages, but putting the thoughts to work. Which church in my area do I belong in? How can I plug in More...
The tough part isn't reading these 90 pages, but putting the thoughts to work. Which church in my area do I belong in? How can I plug in More...
May 16, 2010
Kevin
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I highly recommend this book! It is true: too many people are simply dating the church--they haven't fallen in love with the family of God. They are mere visitors, not the bride and body of Christ.
Joshua Harris takes Christians through a counseling session by calling believers to stop dating the church and to marry it. He discusses what people miss when they simply date the church, analyzes the church from heaven's perspective, encourages people to think globally yet live locally, de More...
Joshua Harris takes Christians through a counseling session by calling believers to stop dating the church and to marry it. He discusses what people miss when they simply date the church, analyzes the church from heaven's perspective, encourages people to think globally yet live locally, de More...
Mar 05, 2009
Jennifer
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Nov 07, 2011
Alice
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As I was reading through this book, I kept thinking about my own personal experience with the various churches I've attended in the past. A lot of what Harris talked about pointed almost directly to what I went through in the last ten years or so. It addressed many of the questions I had regarding the purpose of church, which is important for me to know because I come from a family that, after going through some bad experiences, has begun to lose sight of its value.
Also, the secti More...
Also, the secti More...
Oct 08, 2007
Rock
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With the "anti-church" movement against "organized religion" among some today, it is good to hear a godly young man write with passion on the need to marry a church (and quit dating it). Harris provides a simplistic and heart-felt cry to Christians to put your heart into the Bride of Christ and marry her! Our church gave every High School graduate this book one year and many enjoyed it, but most probably did not go to church while in that next year of college (except on Chr
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Dec 15, 2011
Jerry
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This is an excellent resource for the casual church goer or church hopper. Concise and easy to read, Harris lays out what it a solid church member looks like and the sort of church he should seek out. Very helpful.
Jul 30, 2011
The first few chapters were worth the price of the book but then he didn't really add much to the discussion and I was disappointed that he didn't really tackle the Ephesians text more specifically.
Dec 29, 2010
Julie
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Excellent - really makes me think about my role in the church, as well as attitudes towards the church and others - great read for all Christians
Nov 25, 2011
Very accessible; recommended particularly if group members are undecided or resistant to church membership
Jun 30, 2010
If you are someone who is not very committed to any church I doubt you are reading this anyway (haha).
Mar 19, 2009
Sean
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A fantastic, brief, and pointed call to love and commit to a local church. Give this book to everyone you know.
Jan 23, 2011
Amanda
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Not at all what I thought it would be- and not much of what I liked, either.
Jun 11, 2008
clAViD
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"If you are not a member of the church you regularly attend, you may well be going to hell."
- Mark Dever
Wow. Sounds a bit dogmatic, no? I thought so too, until I read this book.
I think every Christian should read this book, or at least another book about God's view of the Church. It is a subject in the Christian world that when overlooked, which is too often the case, leads to an individualistic, selfish, prideful, luke-warm, perhaps even fake Christian
- Mark Dever
Wow. Sounds a bit dogmatic, no? I thought so too, until I read this book.
I think every Christian should read this book, or at least another book about God's view of the Church. It is a subject in the Christian world that when overlooked, which is too often the case, leads to an individualistic, selfish, prideful, luke-warm, perhaps even fake Christian
Oct 19, 2010
Priscilla
rated it:
Easy, simple read about committing to a church. Biblically backed, with many very valid points about the relationship of the church to God, and us to the church... Worth the read.
Apr 05, 2010
Victoria
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Very well writtern and had heart and scriptual background. Short read too.
Aug 27, 2008
Amber
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In a day in age when there are too many people with too little commitment, this book is a refreshing change to the "What can I get out of church mentality." So stop dating different churches and find one to be fully committed to.
