The Community of God: A Theology of the Church From a Reluctant Pastor

by Douglas S. Bursch

We were created for community. So why do we want to be alone? The Bible tells the story of the immense power of human relationships and God’s love for the church. Douglas Bursch presents a timely, insightful and practical theology of community. He examines the relational implications of human existence, sin, salvation, discipleship, evangelism and other key biblical concepts. Doug also shares unfiltered stories concerning his personal weaknesses and the relational struggles he has faced as a pastor. Each chapter contains thought-provoking questions that can be used by individuals, pastors, small groups and college classes for further in-depth discussions. Doug’s writing cuts to the heart of why community is so valuable but so costly. The Community of A Theology of the Church From a Reluctant Pastor is an indispensable resource for creating healthy Christian community in an increasingly individualistic world.

“Doug Bursch is one of the best thinkers of our day. He artfully mixes a sound theology with a practical application in a complex, combustible 21st Century culture that desperately needs a clarion voice.” - Glenn Burris Jr., President of The Foursquare Church

“Doug is unafraid to question the deep things of our faith but always does so as a committed believer. He’s interesting, passionate and practical all at the same time.” - Dr. Steve Schell, Senior Pastor of Northwest Church; host of Life Lessons and author of Preaching Through Romans

Genres: Church

242 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 27, 2017

About the author

Douglas S. Bursch is a writer, minister and speaker. He is married to his lifelong sweetheart, Jennifer. They enjoy raising their four children together and ministering as a team. Doug pastored Evergreen Foursquare Church in Auburn, Washington for 24 years. Doug served on the Doctrine Committee and Education Commission of The Foursquare Church and taught theology courses as adjunct faculty for Life Pacific College and Life Ministry Institute. Doug received his Master of Divinity at The Assemblies of God Theological Seminary and his Doctor of Ministry at Portland Seminary of George Fox University. Doug produced and hosted over 1,200 Christian radio broadcasts. His podcasts and blogs are available at fairlyspiritual.org.

Reviews

[Adam Shields · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short Review: This is a highly readable (and relatable) book on why we need the church. My go to book on why we need the church has been Eugene Peterson's Practice Resurrection. I still really recommend that book. But this is a very good complement to it. Two different writing styles, pastoral styles and generations that in the end agree that the church is not an optional add-on to our faith but an essential part of our faith.

I immediately picked up a copy of this for a young pastor friend of mine and I would like to re-read it before the end of the year.

My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/community-of-god

[L.L. Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t let the word theology in the subtitle make you nervous. This book is for laypeople, and Bursch has a down-to-earth writing style. The title accurately captures the book. Community is an essential part of the Christian faith, and we need to be reminded of that fact in our profoundly individualistic and self-centered age. As an introvert, Bursch admits he’d rather avoid community sometimes, and he honestly shares his struggles as a pastor. The book is a good blend of biblical teaching, thoughtful explanations, and personal stories.

We may think of the church as beginning in the New Testament at Pentecost, but community was important long before that. The book takes us back to Genesis, pointing out our need for each other from the very beginning. “For humans to be fully human, we must be in community” (page 43). An interesting section points out the corollaries that exist between Pentecost and Babel.

I was challenged by the thoughts on Abraham. Have you ever really considered that much of the fruit of Abraham’s obedience did not come to pass until generations after he died?!! In an impatient, instant results society, this is particularly difficult for us. But…”This is the faith we are called to press into; a faith that is bigger than our own self-satisfaction; a faith that is even bigger than our own lifetime” (page 96). As Bursch says, our individual stories do matter but we must remember that we are part of a bigger, more important story. We have lost sight of God’s big picture. “Salvation is never just about an individual. Redemption always concerns the community of God” (page 98).

The individualistic nature of our modern society makes genuine Christian community more challenging to acheive. Individualism has invaded everything, and this point is reiterated in the book. Even when we think we are living in community by attending church each week and a small group Bible study, we can do so in an individualistic manner. We are more concerned about our personal needs being met, than perceiving ourselves as part of the body of Christ. A limited, self-focus is crippling us and the church.

The book offers accurate and needed critique of various church growth fads and techniques that simply are not biblical in approach. Bursch is honest and does not sugar coat… “We must be willing to birth Christian communities that reflect a biblical understanding of the body of Christ, even if we know those expressions will be rejected by the larger culture and possibly even limit church growth” (page 187). Gasp! But many need to hear this. Numerical growth is not a reliable assessment of church health. Unhealthy things can have a propensity to grow.

I underlined a great deal in this book, and much of the content resonated with me or challenged me. It was hard to pick which tidbits to share in a review. At the end of each chapter are questions to stimulate further thought and discussion.

I’d recommend it to many Christians. Everyday Christians can gain a better understanding of the church, and the theological reasons for community. I also think seminary students with the goal of the pastorate would greatly benefit from the book – it is not academic, but offers the practical wisdom of an experienced pastor and could keep new pastors from various delusions of grandeur.

This review was originally on my blog: https://lightenough.wordpress.com/201...

[Damon Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Give me Jesus, but don't give me the church." Remember that?

Echoing what Laura said earlier, don't be put off by the word "theology" in the title. Doug writes in an accessible, transparent, almost self-deprecating style. In that vein, this work is almost a pleading that we understand God has always been about community, and it's not possible to understand God outside that concept. While the church is a gathering of imperfect people, my role in that imperfect gathering is essential. With so much emphasis on the "personal relationship with Jesus," Bursch's work is a theologically sound, well-presented response to that ego-centric faithview.

Blending strong biblical insights with just the right transparency in personal stories, Burschh explains to the reader that community is something with which he struggles. This fact, alone, makes the call to community from Bursch all the more profound. If you have struggled with the temptation to take the road of the Lone Ranger Christian and wondered why you even need to be in Christian community, this book will provide you those answers in a gentle and persuasive manner.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book on how we should see the church. Bursch's main idea is that the individual must remember that the church is the fuller expression of God's people - we are not saved to only have a personal relationship with God, we are brought into God's people and have responsibilities toward our brothers and sisters. At times I thought the book got a bit too close to saying that the individual's relationship with God doesn't matter at all, but overall it was a very good book. I especially appreciated the inclusion and gentle treatment of spiritual abuse and the fact that victims of such abuse are going to be wary of the church.

[Daniel Harding · Rating 5 out of 5]

A personal book, written extremely personally. Transparent and acknowledging of the faults of the church but hopeful in the God we serve.
If you want to be a pastor, you should read this book - it will sober you. If you are a pastor, you should read this book - it will encourage you. If you are looking to build a kingdom, you should read this book - it will caution you.
Doug writes in a way that puts him in the room with you, and as a pastor myself, that was an encouraging and comforting feeling.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good and accessible work on community and the church. I loved its emphasis on how community is not just for us individually but we are made for others. It has an encouraging tone that feels deeply pastoral that helped it stand out from the mass of forgettable or self-helpy Christian books on community. I think this book is worth reading.

Disclosure: I have gotten to spend a little time with Doug virtually and I really like him personally. He has a pastor's heart and you can hear it come through in his writing.

[Angela Gilmour · Rating 5 out of 5]

An encouraging and gracious call to Community

This author calls us to a deeper understanding and fulfillment of God's plan for connection. He has an amazing gift of inspiring us to risk this connection while fully and kindly acknowledging all the legitimate obstacles we face. He shares his own obstacles to risking this connection in a way that lets us know he is not naively or idealistically encouraging us to do something he has not done himself.

[Susan Tailby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to give this book 6 stars. So much to think about and apply in terms of how the church is community as well as a safe place to encounter and work through conflict, reflecting Jesus in our midst. Really helpful stuff about how to love and be if church/community has been unsafe or downright damaging and the positives of online community, although this is not the end! Excellent read and a refocus from individualism to community centredness.

[Tim Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good challenge to consider community in a church, how it's formed, why it's important and the problems of trying to lead a church solo (not in partnership with other pastors). It's a good look at the ministry of Jesus and how he used imperfect people in community to launch something radical for the entire world.

[Jade Aldrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended. He dives into the great “falling away” of the church in modern times and basically credits it to a culture of individualism in the west. Basically. He then goes into how that might be remedied.

[Sandy Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the author's honesty. The title alone made me want to read it. It did not disappoint.

[Lisa Humphries · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic book!!

[Rev. Val Ohle · Rating 5 out of 5]

For someone who's preparing to go into ministry and hoping (like all new clergy do) to make a difference, find a better way, this book is amazing, a must read, a blueprint for all a church should be. If you're on Audible, get the audible version. Hearing the author read it with the same heart with which he wrote it is incredible.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book confirmed a lot of my thinking about the individualism in the church, and also stepped all over my toes over the role I often play in it. He speaks boldly, but with grace. He points to scripture to show how from the beginning we were made for community, and incomplete without it - all of us from the layperson to those serving in pastoral roles. I greatly appreciate Doug's encouragement!