Why bother with church?

Michael S. Horton

I'm so glad Sam wrote this book. Many in our day say that they like Jesus, but not the church. But is it possible to belong to the Head without being part of his visible body? Obvious in practical importance, Why Bother With Church? is a wise, basic, and winsome invitation to embrace the riches of communion with Christ’s new society.

Kathleen B. Nielson

This book about the church is a gift to the church. It's clear, winsome, and needed, reminding us of the great reality of the body of Christ called to live, worship, and minister together in his name until he comes. I'm grateful for this biblical call to remember who we are and what, by God's mercy, we get to be and do as his gathered people.

"A delight to read"

The strength of the book is the skill Sam has in answering the questions with brevity, clarity, and thoroughness. … Sam doesn’t brush sin under the rug or cover up the ugliness brought into the church by sinners. He knows that people have been hurt by the church and he is gentle with them. He writes with both doctrinal conviction and pastoral care.... continue reading

“Biblical overview of what church is..”

I found this a concise biblical account of what Christ's church is - His people gathered, building each other up into the fulness of Christ to His glory. Easy to read and understand.

“Such a good read! ◡̈”

We used this book for a church wide book club recently over a month. It was most apt since we've been meeting online for most of this year and it reminded us that we need each other even though the regulations keep us apart. This meant intentional meetups and seeing that the extra effort is definitely both worth it, and necessary for us to keep walking in the light.

Personally, I enjoyed the extra sections of each chapter that tackled FAQs. ◡̈ Thanks Sam and the team for pushing this out.

Because it's a light read of 95 pages, small enough to fit into your pocket (both the physical and e-copy ;)), short and sharp points made towards the purpose of the book, I totally recommend it!

“Thoughts!”

The Covid pathway has been a difficult one & not attending church made me approach this book in the hope it would ‘boost’ my rather negative feelings at the time. It was easy to read & gave me food for thought as I could identify with many of the problems raised & it gave ideas to rectify these problems. I closed the book feeling, without being part of & attending church regularly, I miss out on so much myself but also with my relationship with Jesus, it’s a no brainer!!

“A biblical and challenging read”

Read while on a holiday I thought we might not have because of Covid, this is an "easy" read - page turner - yet is a challenging and comprehensible Bible based presentation of what "the church" really is and why it is so important for Christians to "bother" with it, stressing not only why it is important for me but also why my presence is important to my brothers and sisters in Christ, and also to those "not-yet-Christians" on the fringes.

“An encouraging but challenging read.”

I have just finished reading Sam Allberry's little book 'Why bother with church?' (The Good Book Company, 2016). As it says on the back cover, 'This short, realistic but optimistic book explains clearly and simply from the Bible what the church really is, why it is both brilliant and frustrating, and why it is wonderful to be part of it.' And it does exactly what it says on the label; great for new Christians, longer-in-the-tooth Christians, and perhaps even for those not-yet-Christians who are a bit puzzled about what church is all about.
The book finishes with these words: 'The church is the way in which God showcases his wisdom to the spiritual realms. It is how he demonstrates the power and beauty of the gospel. Nothing else in the universe can fuse such varied people together into a new humanity. Only the person and work of Jesus can do this. When the church gathers to worship - whether in Dallas or Dubai, Durham or Delhi - the supremacy of Christ is once again being placarded across the spiritual realms.
Why bother with church? Because it is the most important show in town. What goes on when a church meets is far grander than we tend to realise.
It is God's family.
It is God's embassy in this world.
It is God's way of preaching to the spiritual world.
It is, amazingly, Jesus' bride, who will live with him in the next world.
And, in God's great mercy, through faith in Christ, you (and I) get to be a part of it and to be part of the way God builds it. And if you remember this when you get up next Sunday, you'll find yourself asking: Why on earth would I not bother with church?'

I may not fully agree with everything Sam has written but I have found this to be such a very thorough exposition of Scriptural truth by someone whose love for the church, with all its flaws, shines through. An encouraging and a challenging read.

“Great and important book”

I found this short book to be clear and helpful. So many people, even Christians, struggle to know why being and active part of a local church is important. "Why Bother with Church" reminds us why! I have used this book in a couple of study groups, easy to read and easy to discuss.

“lifts believers up to the right attitude to the church”

Fits the series "Questions Christian Ask" well, and in a refreshing way lifts believers up to the right attitude to the church as the body of Christ meeting to worship our God of grace and love and to serve one another as the people of God. It doesn't hide the weaknesses of churches, but provides biblical wisdom to overcome what often spoils congregations.

“Brilliant! Concise and relevant.”

Brilliant! Concise and relevant.
For all who are thinking about going back to church or those who have been upset and have left church, those who are going to church but are unhappy and even for those who are regular committed members of a church.
I actually read this book to help me understand why Christians wouldn’t want to go to church, and found it very helpful. So really it’s a great book for everyone to read.

“A very helpful book on an important topic ”

Sam helpfully answers questions that either I have had or have heard asked about the subject of church. He does so with engaging clear language accessible to many. A great book to give to people especially those maybe starting out on the Christian life and thinking what's church all about. The book made me have a deeper love for the church.