What do you think?
Rate this book
Creature of the Word: The Jesus-Centered Church
The Reformers viewed the gospel as not merely one thing among many in the life of a church but rather the means by which the church exists. When the gospel is rightly declared and applied to God’s people, the church becomes “a creature of the Word.” She understands, embraces, and lives out the reality of Christ’s birth, life, death, and resurrection in more than her doctrinal statement. The gospel impacts all the church is and does. Creature of the Word lays out this concept in full, first examining the rich, scripture-based beauty of a Jesus-centered church, then clearly providing practical steps toward forming a Jesus-centered church. Authors Matt Chandler, Eric Geiger, and Josh Patterson write what will become a center- ing discussion piece for those whose goal is to be part of a church that has its theology, culture, and practice completely saturated in the gospel.
256 pages, Paperback
First published September 5, 2012
138 people are currently reading
1436 people want to read
About the author
Matt Chandler
138 books751 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Matt Chandler is the lead pastor of The Village Church, a multi-campus church in the Dallas metroplex of over 10,000 people. His sermons are among the topselling (free) podcasts on itunes and he speaks at conferences worldwide. Prior to accepting the pastorate at The Village, Matt had a vibrant itinerant ministry for over ten years where he spoke to hundreds of thousands of people in America and abroad about the glory of God and beauty of Jesus. He lives in Texas with his wife, Lauren, and their three children: Audrey, Reid and Norah.
Matt Chandler is the lead pastor of The Village Church, a multi-campus church in the Dallas metroplex of over 10,000 people. His sermons are among the topselling (free) podcasts on itunes and he speaks at conferences worldwide. Prior to accepting the pastorate at The Village, Matt had a vibrant itinerant ministry for over ten years where he spoke to hundreds of thousands of people in America and abroad about the glory of God and beauty of Jesus. He lives in Texas with his wife, Lauren, and their three children: Audrey, Reid and Norah.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
January 24, 2015
I always enjoy books that take Christian themes and look at things in a bit of a unique way. This book does just that. The reader is taken on a journey through how the church was supposed to be biblically, how it has lost its focus over time, and how it can become what God intended. The three authors seamlessly present their perspective, and it is fully backed by Scripture.
This book is divided into two parts, and the first part truly spoke to me. It was relatable and completely spoke to the average Christian in the church today. Though minor, my complaint involved the second part of the book. I felt as though this section addressed the church leadership, and I found little that I could glean practically for me as the church laity. Don't get me wrong. I was still impressed with the writing, but I became bored as I could not readily apply it to me. Additionally, there were a few points in the book that assumed I knew something I did not. However, I do tend to have atypical ideas and experiences. I wish that the book had been split into two books rather than trying to make this a one book fits all, but the book still made its points reasonably well.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated in any way, and all opinions are 100 % mine
This book is divided into two parts, and the first part truly spoke to me. It was relatable and completely spoke to the average Christian in the church today. Though minor, my complaint involved the second part of the book. I felt as though this section addressed the church leadership, and I found little that I could glean practically for me as the church laity. Don't get me wrong. I was still impressed with the writing, but I became bored as I could not readily apply it to me. Additionally, there were a few points in the book that assumed I knew something I did not. However, I do tend to have atypical ideas and experiences. I wish that the book had been split into two books rather than trying to make this a one book fits all, but the book still made its points reasonably well.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated in any way, and all opinions are 100 % mine
October 10, 2018
This book had some good food for thought about the modern church. It is probably best suited for those in leadership roles, but I still benefited from it. I listened to an audio version but think I would have done better with a print copy.
September 5, 2020
What perspective. A wonderful book.
August 31, 2023
This book contains some helpful insights about the gospel and how the gospel relates to the way we think about church. The most interesting part of the book are the "blurbs" written in the 2012 edition (the edition I read). Many of the ministry leaders who wrote "blurbs" for this book have failed to heed the advice of this book over the last decade or so since it was written. A tragic reminder that good advice must be heeded and acted upon.
April 12, 2019
Unfortunately Creature of the Word fell prey to the classic Christian-Book-Curse. What is this curse you ask? It’s a curse that causes Christian writers to type way too aggressively, resulting in a book that’s about 50 pages too long. Additionally this book felt more geared towards those freshly entertaining the gospel-centered church movement, as opposed to those already steeped in the convo and looking for more to consume. However, there were a handful of golden nuggets throughout that made the 237 page word-packed book worth finishing.
November 12, 2025
“Gospel-centered ministry is counterintuitive to our natural thinking.”
This is one of the many quotes that hit me personally and got me thinking about my faith personally!
If you want a book that encourages you to draw deeper in your relationship with Christ and be able to serve the church fully through the Holy Spirit then this book is for you!
I appreciated the author’s dedication to Scripture and wanting the reader to understand first and foremost that our life as Christians is supposed to be Jesus-centered not simply Gospel-centered, ministry centered, church-centered, people-centered etc. Christians are meant to be Jesus-centered in their hearts, the Gospel, their lives, their churches, every part of their life, and that truly is a beautiful truth!
This is one of the many quotes that hit me personally and got me thinking about my faith personally!
If you want a book that encourages you to draw deeper in your relationship with Christ and be able to serve the church fully through the Holy Spirit then this book is for you!
I appreciated the author’s dedication to Scripture and wanting the reader to understand first and foremost that our life as Christians is supposed to be Jesus-centered not simply Gospel-centered, ministry centered, church-centered, people-centered etc. Christians are meant to be Jesus-centered in their hearts, the Gospel, their lives, their churches, every part of their life, and that truly is a beautiful truth!
October 20, 2017
Definitely a good read for those who lead in church or ministry. The authors do a great job of turning readers to the critical view that if everything in and of the church isn't about Jesus, we're wasting our time and efforts. They cover various aspects of the church, from services to programs to administration, and include excellent questions and tips to consider as ministry and church leaders consider the impact they are having versus the impact they want (or should want) to have. While it was written from a pastor or church leadership viewpoint, much of it can easily be adapted to ministry leaders within and outside of the church.
November 3, 2018
Readable and necessary for church leaders to grow in shared vision. As a church member, I also found it valuable and echoing what I'm asking God to do in women's ministry.
September 8, 2015
This is my favorite book on the nature of the church: who the church is and what the church does. The three authors are addicted to the gospel of Jesus Christ believing that everything the church is about must be rooted in the life, death and resurrection of Christ. The insights the authors give on the subject are refreshing as I believe they are lost on many churches today. They show how every aspect of church life can be based on the gospel. They even outline how the children ministry must be gospel-centered. The gospel is not a one time thing that we believe, but then forget about or don't teach about. No, the gospel must be the foundation, motivation and culmination of everything the church does. The authors capture this beautifully throughout the book.
March 11, 2016
This might be the best book I've ever read on how to be a Biblical church. If you were to read only the Bible and this book, you would get a fairly balanced overview of what the Church should look like and how it should operate. I'm surprised at how many topics are covered well in such an easy read. You can tell that Chandler, Patterson, and Geiger are not just throwing out ideals, but telling the story that their local churches are living out. This is a book that every church leader should get their hands on.
January 28, 2013
This book is a must read for pastors, elders, and deacons alike. Chandler does an excellent job of reminding his fellow leaders that even the right actions, if not rooted in and formed by the gospel will find themselves faltering to produce true life change.
September 10, 2016
I actually was only expected to read the first five chapters of this book. I tried to read more, but the rest didn't seem very relevant to me and I have lots of other things to read! So I only read part of it.
June 22, 2023
Nothing suprising here--which ends up being very affirming for my personal approach/understanding of church ministry. They affirm all the gospel-centric themes I have come to embrace and hope to see grow at my church. The gospel impacts EVERY area of ministry in the local church.
March 4, 2013
Anyone planting a gospel centered church should read this book!!! It was an amazing help to me in terms of seeing how the gospel relates to every aspect of church!
April 15, 2013
Excellent. Best thought, which is in essence the theme of the book: "The church does not create the gospel; the gospel creates the church."
November 14, 2023
A couple quotes I appreciate:
P18. The gospel. What is it, really? In its simplest form, the gospel is God’s reconciling work in Christ—that through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, God is making all things new both personally for those who repent and believe, and cosmically as He redeems culture and creation from its subjection to futility.
P19
Perhaps this is largely because we tend to think of the gospel as an individual message that causes individual transformation—which is partially true. But the gospel is much more than that. The gospel also forms the church. Scripture says Jesus “gave himself up” for the Church (Eph. 5:25 ESV), buying the Church “with his own blood” (Acts 20:28 ESV), in order “to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14 ESV). The gospel needs to be seen in this total perspective
P27
Through the gospel, the Holy Spirit empowers our motivations so that we are driven with gladness, not guilt, being ever reminded of our forgiveness in the gospel, not our failures in the law. It is God’s ability, not ours.
P28
The more a church is tapped into the gospel, the more transformative power will be present by the Holy Spirit in that church. But the more that church gets away from the centrality of the gospel, the more a church will run on fumes, seeing people conformed to a pattern of religion rather than transformed by the Spirit of God.
38.But how can we rejoice in and worship the majesty of a loving and forgiving God if in practice we don’t believe He loves and forgives if in practice we don’t believe the gospel?
When we remember how gracious and compassionate Christ has been to us, our compassion is as sustained as our rememberance of the gospel
P139
God’s purposes cannot be thwarted (namely, that deliverance will come to His people), but Esther still had the opportunity to act, to lead. God’s sovereignty doesn’t diminish our responsibility or opportunity.
P144
Leaders, more than anyone, should be acutely aware that their gifting, qualification, and competence are not of their own doing; rather, they give ongoing evidence of the grace of God in their lives (2 Cor. 3:4–6; 1 Tim. 1:12)
P18. The gospel. What is it, really? In its simplest form, the gospel is God’s reconciling work in Christ—that through the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, God is making all things new both personally for those who repent and believe, and cosmically as He redeems culture and creation from its subjection to futility.
P19
Perhaps this is largely because we tend to think of the gospel as an individual message that causes individual transformation—which is partially true. But the gospel is much more than that. The gospel also forms the church. Scripture says Jesus “gave himself up” for the Church (Eph. 5:25 ESV), buying the Church “with his own blood” (Acts 20:28 ESV), in order “to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14 ESV). The gospel needs to be seen in this total perspective
P27
Through the gospel, the Holy Spirit empowers our motivations so that we are driven with gladness, not guilt, being ever reminded of our forgiveness in the gospel, not our failures in the law. It is God’s ability, not ours.
P28
The more a church is tapped into the gospel, the more transformative power will be present by the Holy Spirit in that church. But the more that church gets away from the centrality of the gospel, the more a church will run on fumes, seeing people conformed to a pattern of religion rather than transformed by the Spirit of God.
38.But how can we rejoice in and worship the majesty of a loving and forgiving God if in practice we don’t believe He loves and forgives if in practice we don’t believe the gospel?
When we remember how gracious and compassionate Christ has been to us, our compassion is as sustained as our rememberance of the gospel
P139
God’s purposes cannot be thwarted (namely, that deliverance will come to His people), but Esther still had the opportunity to act, to lead. God’s sovereignty doesn’t diminish our responsibility or opportunity.
P144
Leaders, more than anyone, should be acutely aware that their gifting, qualification, and competence are not of their own doing; rather, they give ongoing evidence of the grace of God in their lives (2 Cor. 3:4–6; 1 Tim. 1:12)
December 13, 2020
I felt like this book had a lot of potential, but it fell flat for me. One of my biggest pet peeves in the church is when a pastor uses his platform to insult others. Don't get me wrong, Creature of the Word seemed well-intentioned, with a goal of focusing on the gospel. And yet, there were just a couple of moments when reading made me feel a bit icky. I didn't love a comparison in the early pages where the authors implied that non-believers can't and don't experience deep community. In my own life, I've experienced the blessings of community with both believers and non-believers, and I can't say one was better than another, nor do I think it's a competition. I think God blesses us with deep community... He causes the rain to fall on both the wicked and the just.
There was also an unnecessary jab at female contestants on the tv show The Bachelor, describing them as insecure and as having loose morals. (No jab at men on The Bachelorette, by the way). It felt like this was included in the book to make the authors feel they'd been clever and relevant. It didn't contribute to the substance of the book in any way, and was used in a long section describing something absurd. Why not just use the word absurd rather than insulting a group of women the authors likely had never met? Also, if those women are truly insecure, why would pastors think it's a good idea to shame them publicly and in ink?
This book sometimes was about the gospel. When it was, I enjoyed reading it. When it was about other things, I felt icky about it.
There was also an unnecessary jab at female contestants on the tv show The Bachelor, describing them as insecure and as having loose morals. (No jab at men on The Bachelorette, by the way). It felt like this was included in the book to make the authors feel they'd been clever and relevant. It didn't contribute to the substance of the book in any way, and was used in a long section describing something absurd. Why not just use the word absurd rather than insulting a group of women the authors likely had never met? Also, if those women are truly insecure, why would pastors think it's a good idea to shame them publicly and in ink?
This book sometimes was about the gospel. When it was, I enjoyed reading it. When it was about other things, I felt icky about it.
April 9, 2019
This book is intended for those in leadership positions in their local church. I am not in leadership in my local church, but read it anyway and found it to be a good book despite being written for a different audience. As a person not in leadership, I found the book interesting because it is an explanation of what the leadership in church should be doing (or are burdened with doing), an explanation of what one should expect of a church, and explanation of theology relevant to the topics discussed in the book.
I listened to the audio version. It was read well and was easy to listen to. It is not the best format for really learning the material since I do chores or exercise while listening to audio books, but like I said, I was not looking to learn a lot from the book. I just wanted food for thought while doing mindless activities.
I listened to the audio version. It was read well and was easy to listen to. It is not the best format for really learning the material since I do chores or exercise while listening to audio books, but like I said, I was not looking to learn a lot from the book. I just wanted food for thought while doing mindless activities.
August 21, 2020
“Community is only as strong as what it’s built upon. And nothing is as strong as the gospel.”
This is one of my favorite quotes from the book... and in a way, it sums up the book beautifully. This book was very simple, and could have seemed repetitive in some ways. It reiterated a lot of truths that I’ve heard expounded upon on in many other books I’ve read recently. However, it didn’t get old because it repeatedly came back to the what we all need to hear again and again: the gospel. Regardless of topic or aspect explored in looking at the church, Chandler and others continually brought it back to the good news of who Jesus is and what He has done. I absolutely loved it, and found it so refreshing to my soul!
This is one of my favorite quotes from the book... and in a way, it sums up the book beautifully. This book was very simple, and could have seemed repetitive in some ways. It reiterated a lot of truths that I’ve heard expounded upon on in many other books I’ve read recently. However, it didn’t get old because it repeatedly came back to the what we all need to hear again and again: the gospel. Regardless of topic or aspect explored in looking at the church, Chandler and others continually brought it back to the good news of who Jesus is and what He has done. I absolutely loved it, and found it so refreshing to my soul!
September 2, 2019
This book has some wonderful content that makes you want to keep a highlighter handy while you read. The content in itself deserves a 5, but the style of writing is what made me come to the conclusion of an overall 4 star rating. The style of writing can be lofty at times and seems to be geared towards those with a seminary degree or in a pastoral position rather than an average believer reader. This made a large section of the book pretty dry and hard to get through, but certain chapters were page turners. It’s possible this may have to do with having three different writers. I’m not sure how large of a section each writer wrote independently.
February 22, 2025
Everything is centered around the gospel of Jesus. It's popular to emphasize this.
My only concern is that it seems the emphasized and reiterated word "gospel" can often be replaced with the word salvation or evangelism or discipleship or missions or Jesus. Plus, there doesn't always seem to be a direct scriptural line to everything this book is applying to the gospel.
The title, however, may be a more accurate and true emphasis -- being a Jesus-centered church. This is admitted, yet the author still uses the word "gospel" throughout.
My only concern is that it seems the emphasized and reiterated word "gospel" can often be replaced with the word salvation or evangelism or discipleship or missions or Jesus. Plus, there doesn't always seem to be a direct scriptural line to everything this book is applying to the gospel.
The title, however, may be a more accurate and true emphasis -- being a Jesus-centered church. This is admitted, yet the author still uses the word "gospel" throughout.
December 8, 2017
This was a really wonderful, helpful, and insightful book. Highlighting the idea that the Gospel should be present in all aspects of a Christian life, it really forced me to wonder how the Gospel is present in my own life.
I read this book to learn more about the music ministry, but it ended up teaching me about every aspect of ministry. I'll definitely be rereading this one at some point in the future!
I read this book to learn more about the music ministry, but it ended up teaching me about every aspect of ministry. I'll definitely be rereading this one at some point in the future!
April 4, 2021
3.75 stars. I’m honestly shocked that this book isn’t more popular... I randomly found it tucked away at a HPB and it ended up being such a hidden gem!!! The book is really well put together and, overall, I would definitely recommend it!
So many good golden nuggets but a couple of super small comments that, in my opinion, revealed a very subtle disempowering view on women:/ (again, I’m a rhetoric nerd and rlly pay attention to these kinds of things!)
So many good golden nuggets but a couple of super small comments that, in my opinion, revealed a very subtle disempowering view on women:/ (again, I’m a rhetoric nerd and rlly pay attention to these kinds of things!)
March 10, 2022
Matt Chandler is truly God gifted in the way he communicates the Christian faith. This book is no different. In shortened sections much of the content is an overview on Matt’s (The Village Church’s) ecclesiology. Although it seems to jump quickly from point to point it does contain many ‘golden nuggets’ that I and I am sure many others would find profitable and beneficial implementing in their Church community.
September 8, 2023
I have loved all of Matt Chandlers books although he is my Pastor so I might be a little biased. This one wasn't my favorite, but I think it was written primarily to ministry leaders and pastors. There was a lot of good information here though on the importance of being "Jesus people" and not "religious people".
July 8, 2017
This was an amazing book! I'd recommend this book literally to anybody to both church leaders as well as any Christian who wants to understand and love the church like Jesus does! Nice job the the authors!
September 26, 2018
Though written with ministry leaders in mind this is a great book for any church member. It talks about keeping Jesus Christ the focus of our ministry, and not getting side tracked by other things, that while good things, are not the gospel.
November 8, 2018
Not enough Chandler. The collaborative nature of this book/discussion led to an uneven presentation of warmed over content that comes across as samples where a meal should have been served instead. We used it as a group study at our church but it’s better utilized for elder or staff meetings.
April 8, 2019
Good solid book
Great insight to the supremacy of the gospel in ministry. In these pages is a call to be most concerned with becoming a church that is sold out to the gospel above all.
Great insight to the supremacy of the gospel in ministry. In these pages is a call to be most concerned with becoming a church that is sold out to the gospel above all.
February 1, 2021
So good. This is an invaluable resource for anyone who serves in a church. But it is also great for every church member. It puts Jesus at the center of all that we do, and shows us how to serve Him better.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews