The Local Church: What It Is and Why It Matters for Every Christian

by Edward W. Klink III

How God Ministers to His People and the World through the Local Church The church is more than coffee with friends―it’s a meaningful gathering of Christians that involves fellowship and growing in biblical truth. Given the rise of the internet and the availability of streaming church services, many ministry leaders and church members are asking questions about the purpose and mission of the local   What is the church? Why does the church exist? How does the church function? What is the connection between the Christian and the church? Pastor and trusted scholar Edward Klink III addresses these questions and more with a thoughtful assessment of what the Bible has to say about God’s intention for the local church body. Klink stresses its importance as God’s way of revealing his presence, displaying his power, fulfilling his purposes, and manifesting his activity in the world. In today’s hyperindividualized culture, this book not only demonstrates why it’s vital for individuals to connect to a local church, but also reveals why it’s vital to God’s work in the world.

Genres: Ecclesiology, Church, Theology, Christian

176 pages, Paperback

Published October 26, 2021

Reviews

[Dr. David Steele · Rating 4 out of 5]

The church stands at the very center of God’s redemptive purposes. Yet there is much misunderstanding about the church in our day. Some people downplay the importance of the church. Others are critical of the notion of church membership. Edward W. Klink intends to “cut through the fog” and set the record straight in his book, The Local Church: What It Is and Why It Matters for Every Christian.

Dr. Klink’s heart for the church emerges on every page as the author sets forth the biblical purposes and priorities that emerge in Scripture. Klink begins by exposing some of the misconceptions about the church. He says, “To speak plainly, a churches Christianity has no relation to Christ. The real and necessary connection between Christ, his church, and all of its members not only is a biblical command and a theological truth but also must be a personal and pastoral priority in the contemporary church.”

Once the misconceptions are swept aside, the author focuses on the biblical portrait of the church. “The entire story of Scripture explains how God chose a people for himself to dwell with him forever,” writes Dr. Klink. Therefore, at the heart of the church is the pleasure of God, the people of God, the power of God, the proclamation of God, the provision of God, and the purpose of God. The threefold purposes of the church, according to Klink include loving God, loving our neighbor, and loving one another.

The author not only informs and educates; he challenges. Indeed, one of the most helpful aspects of this book is the bold challenge that is offered to professing Christians:

To say that a person has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is to speak about how a person becomes a Christian, not how a person lives as a Christian. Please Hear this: if Jesus is at the center of your life, a local church is at the center of your life. Who is the church? If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, then you are!

The book concludes with a helpful section that includes twenty common questions about the local church. The answers are short and crisp; but more importantly, the answers are biblical. The Local Church is a superb overview and should receive a wide readership.

[Charlene Atz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for both the church member and for any Christian who has not yet realized their need to be part of the local church. Klink's writings and teaching are filled with excellence and are well supported by scripture. I read this with gratitude for his care and commitment to our own local church. I also appreciate the accessibility of the read.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The timing of me reading this book was perfect as my husband and I recently stepped down from leading worship at our church and are now seeking a new church home. It really gave me some things to think about as we visit other churches. Things that weren’t on my raider twenty-two years ago when we found our first church home but should have been.

Did everything in this book hold my interest? No. At times my mind wandered but it did always get pulled back.

One quote that still resonates with me I want to share with you. I think it is so important as we have moved into this world of virtual church or no church at all: “any separation between the Christian and the local church is not simply unbiblical but detrimental to the life of every Christian and to the message and work of Christianity in the world. ”

If you call yourself a Christian you should be attending a face to face church, it is so important to our growth. But be discerning in the church you pick. It not about being the cool church it’s about being a gospel driven church that proudly proclaims the truth.


A copy of this book was given to me through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great little book on the church. Klink brings his academic background to bear in an understandable way, without sacrificing preciseness and some rigor. He also brings an undeniably deep love for the local church, and especially his local church. This should be right up there at the top of the list of books about the church. It should be read individually, in groups, by elders, seminary students and anyone who wants to better understand what the Bible has to say about church, and how we put that into practice. Klink writes from a Reformed, baptistic, covenantal view, but not in a polemical way.

[Terence Tan · Rating 4 out of 5]

You need to read not just one book on the church. But if you are a new Christian or if you are a Christian who has grown indifferent or hostile against organised religion or the church, then you should read Klink's book and consider the this humble pastor-theologian's answer to the question, "Why should I go to church?"

Full 3500-word review: https://readingandreaders.com/podcast...

[Nate Schill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful, practical guide for what everyday “body life” looks like for Christians in their local church setting. From the identity of the church, to function, to our participation, this short book provides a wealth of applicable information for all believers who desire to serve Christ and His church.

[Gan Jia Jiat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biblical, short, faithful, beautiful descriptions on why the church is and why it matters for every Christian. Edward draws much wisdom from the bible, the great theologians of the past portrays to us the imoortance of church to our lives.

[Mitch Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

A helpful resource to answer the question, “why church?” Dr. Klink gives a clear purpose statement for the church, defines the mission and helps remind the reader the importance of the local church.

[Andrew Krom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful little book on the Local Church!

[Tori Claprood]

a nice read from Theo 2

[Tyler Hurst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Klink’s books is a different approach to the question what is a local church. In this way Klink, though not as through as Dever or Clowney, provides a helpful supplemental angle to those works. In a Baptist or Presbyterian context Klink is a probably a good supplemental work. However in mixed contexts (non-denominational or Free Church) Klink is a good balanced primary text.