The Compelling Community: Where God's Power Makes a Church Attractive (9Marks)

by Mark Dever

We want faith to rest in the power of God. And where else is God’s power more visible than in the local church?

conversation about your faith shouldn’t simply explain the gospel. It should also describe life in the church that the gospel produces.

How ironic that in the name of reaching the world, some churches have embraced a consumerist approach that only encourages self-oriented concern.

they’re letting the congregation be both context and apologetic for evangelism.

If your congregation can’t answer “yes” or “by and large” to these seven questions, I fear your church’s DNA is not yet worth replicating.

Ask questions during new-member interviews about how the church feels. We all know that church culture is more caught than taught; conversations with new members are an ideal way to gauge how well that’s going.

the church’s most essential purpose lies outside of itself.

community isn’t meant to last; it merely foreshadows the community we will experience forever.

I am engaged in personally-conducted tours to Heaven;