Devoted to God's Church: Core Values for Christian Fellowship

by Sinclair B. Ferguson

Being a Christian is not an individualistic or isolated activity. Believing also involves belonging. Being a Christian, by definition, involves belonging to the church. This is not a book full of ideas about how your church ought to change or what it needs to do in order to grow or to be successful. Rather it is about how we fit into our own church. There are hallmarks of church life that should be stamped on all our churches because they are applicable everywhere and anywhere -- New Testament values for any size of church, in any part of the world, at any time. Devoted to God's Church will serve to help new Christians understand what it is to be part of a church, and will also be a refreshing reminder to every Christian of what it should look like to belong to the family of God.

Genres: Christian Living, Christian, Ecclesiology, Theology, Church, Christian Non Fiction, Christianity

187 pages, Paperback

Published August 31, 2020

About the author

Sinclair B. Ferguson is Associate Preacher at St Peter's Free Church in Dundee and also Distinguished Visiting Professor of Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was Senior Minister of First Presbyterian Church of Columbia, South Carolina and prior to that, he was minister of St. George's-Tron Church in Glasgow.

Reviews

[Jethro Wall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devoted to God’s Church is an approachable, simple and inspiring book all about the local church.

Sinclair Ferguson writes with a deep theological wisdom and the warmth of a huggable teddy bear. Extremely genuine and pastoral. He’s just so sound and sensible, and the chapters on baptism and the Lord’s Supper displayed this fantastically - I really valued his sensitivity and insights on those topics.

A great resource for new believers, for those hesitant about the church, for those hurt by it, or just any ordinary Christian! Don’t overlook the church.

“It is the greatest privilege in the world to believe in Christ and to belong to his people.”

[Jake Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sinclair Ferguson provides a faithful and easy to read book on what it means to be a part of a church. So much confusion and shallow views exist as to what it means to be a church member. Ferguson provides 11 chapters to explore the subject in a succinct way. While I’m a Baptist and would have some differences with my Presbyterian brother, those issues are not at the forefront in this book. The chapters on membership, worship, and the Lord’s Supper are worth the book itself. Pastors and churches would do well to read this together.

[Ethan Moehn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, like much of Ferguson’s work is masterful in the way it is accessible while remaining substantive. There’s something for every reader in this book. I especially appreciated his chapters on typically divisive issues such as baptism. This book will educate you while stirring your heart for the local church.

[Caleb Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can’t go wrong with Ferguson. Great book for younger Christians. Tying the work of God and the Christian life to the life and ministry of the local church.

[Bobby Bonser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ferguson writes like he speaks (but without the Scottish accent, unfortunately). He uses many illustrations to support Biblical concepts. Because he writes much like he speaks, I find it hard to follow his writing sometimes. It is a little more "flowery" and a little less "orderly." This is not to say that it is untruthful or somehow absent of aid, I just personally find him harder to read than many other authors.

This particular book was very helpful. I especially found the chapter on Baptism to be helpful (this is coming from a non-paedobaptist, even though Ferguson affirms infant baptism). Ferguson makes it clear his aim is not to talk about the method of baptism but to speak of it only in Biblical terms. Do we think about our Baptism often? Do we remember it every day as a way to spur us to confidence in Christ and service and love for His church? I really really liked this.
One part I did not care for was the comparison to the "lodge" membership. By including how strict the lodge is for members, Ferguson implies "shouldn't the church members be even more committed than the basic requirements for a 'club?'" I think this comparison is unhelpful in the least, and maybe discouraging in the worst. I understand that he is trying to stress the importance of our devotion to God's church supremely, but I think this could be done in a more helpful way.
Overall it was a great book and really brought out the beauty of Christ's body.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short, but helpful introduction to what it means to be a part of the church. The book is 11 chapters cover different parts of the church from membership, baptism, worship, and missions. It is very easy to read, but still manages to not be surface fluff.

Like another reviewer mentioned I did find it strange that preaching was somewhat ignored. I also found the book more generic. I know that Sinclair is a Presbyterian and I am a baptist, but I would have appreciated moments of letting his particular perspective come through. It was clear that he wanted to be more inclusive, but he did not need to ignore Presbyterian distinctives in order to do that.

A minor nitpick is that he felt the need explain how the early church in Acts 2 was definitely not communist and affirmed private property. It just made me laugh that he felt comfortable avoiding infant baptism discussions, but for some reason felt disavowing communism was necessary.

Who should read this: New Christians will benefit especially from this book. Even as a pastor I found it a helpful and encouraging reminder of what the church means.

Who shouldn't read this: If you want something more academic, or with a lot of meat on it then this might not be for you.

[Duncan Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I taught an adult Sunday School class using this book as a basis. Enjoyed reading and teaching from it.

What I most appreciated was that Ferguson brings his considerable theological acumen to bear in nearly every chapter. This is a book on the basic commitments and events in a church member's life, and rather than staying at a superficial or surface level, Ferguson shows how each aspect of congregational life reflects the believer's commitment to Christ.

While Ferguson does not hide his Presbyterian background, he also is not writing for a specifically Presbyterian audience. Any Baptist or non-denominational evangelical would likely enjoy this book because he always goes to the relevant core doctrinal beliefs which nearly all Christians would share. A theologically astute reader will recognize that his chapter on baptism avoids controversy over mode and qualified candidates (thus side-stepping credobaptism v. paedobaptism), and that his chapter on communion follows the "spiritual presence" view more common in Presbyterian and Reformed circles. However, in both of these cases, the emphasis is on shared doctrines, not denominational distinctives.

Topics covered in chapters are as follows: what is a church, are you a Christian, discipleship, membership, worship, the Bible, baptism, prayer, service, communion, and witness and mission

[Gareth Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sinclair Ferguson provides a wonderful portrait of what it means to be a Christian, and especially what it means for a Christian to belong to a specific local church. It's warm. It's practical (e.g. here are seven big truths that communion shows us about the gospel). And having a church full of people shaped by Sinclair Ferguson's wisdom would be a huge blessing to both the church and the wider world.

My only qualification would be that I don't think this book would work so well in a church that had a more contemporary feel (in which case, I might recommend What Is A Healthy Church Member by Thabiti M. Anyabwile). But if you're in a more traditional church or a church where the Banner of Truth is spoken of highly: THEN BUY LOTS OF COPIES. Give them to New Members. Read them with younger Christians. Or why not take advantage of the latest lockdown to start a church-wide reading group on the book?

[Timothy Crockett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sinclair Furguson writes another excellent book! Devoted to God was excellent! If you haven't read it, I recommend you do. It makes a great study for discipleship as well. With only 187 pages, he takes us on a journey in what he describes as "Core Values for Christian Fellowship."

There are 11 chapters in the book, each covering a distinct aspect of what a true church looks like in service, fellowship, membership, and praise, etc.

For example, he goes over what it means to be a Christian. To truly worship God, being a member of the importance of the Bible. He goes over the importance of the two ordinances, Baptism and the Lord's Supper. These are two very important components in the local church that help maintain the identity of Christ's church.

The book reads well and can be read in a fairly short amount of time. I would recommend this book.

[Josiah DeGraaf · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a solid book as a whole. Ferguson did a great job taking familiar topics and exploring them from new angles in a way that made the book feel fresh (and not the same as other books I've read on the subject--even if there are a lot of shared ideas). I read this through as a part of a men's Bible study, and it also did a fantastic job of sparking conversations and rich discussions. As a result, I rather enjoyed this book, even if I did have a few minor disagreements with Ferguson.

[Abby Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

A broad, rather general, look at what it means to be a church member. Because it is very general, they're are areas it's not very deep which I found slightly frustrating. It was a good reminder of the ordinary means of grace, though they are never called that, and simple to read. This can serve as a good refresher or a help to someone realizing they don't understand church membership.

My only caveat, he doesn't treat preaching as a means of grace. In fact, for a book about being a church member, the preaching of the word is largely absent. For this reason, I wouldn't recommend this book for a new believer. There are many helpful things here, but I think a new believer could mistake his chapter on the Word of God for me, myself, and my Bible very easily.

Glad I read it, but not as helpful as it could have been due to its generic-ness. This book could be read by anyone who fits in the broad scope of modern evangelism. Broad and shallow.

[Matt & AmyLaura Duraski · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic addition to books about church life, what it means to be a member and how this connects us to the entire church family through all time. I think this is a grand book for pastors, congregants, and those looking to join a local church. Ferguson’s vision of Christian Fellowship is deep and rich.

[Logan Almy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be an excellent book for a new membership class. The chapters on the means of grace and Christian service are outstanding. There is some recycled content from his other books.

[Ryan Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book! Sinclair brings to life a part of the Christian life that has suffered in recent years namely, devotion to Christian fellowship. This book will most certainly challenge you to think differently about the Church and what our attitude should be towards Jesus’ Bride.

[Jaymee Pilarta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our words about Christ along with our Christ-reflecting actions and dispositions are used by the Spirit to point others to Christ. The truth of the gospel is explained in our words and illustrated in our actions.

[Andrew Farr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is becoming an annual read for me. Couldn't recommend it more highly.

[Blue Morse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute must read for every member of the church. If I was a pastor I would make this mandatory reading for membership class.

Ferguson begins by implying that since marriage and earthly family relationships are temporary (Matt 22:30) and that one day these relationships will be “folded into the family of God,” we should be engaged in that process here are now.

His ultimate thesis or question is not “How is church life to be fitted into my plans (for myself or my family),” but “How do we fold our lives into the life of the church” (which he describes as “outposts of heaven” and the “family of God”).

The entirety of the book is broken down into key topics that answer this question. Below is my Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF) as well as my favorite quotes that best summarize each chapter.

BLUF: At the end of the day, being “devoted to God’s church” is to be part of a fellowship that worships and serves locally, but whose vision stretches to the ends of the earth and to the end of history; and to be part of the family of Christ in which brothers and sisters are united in faith and hope and love.

1. Being a Christian
- “We need the righteousness that God provides, And that comes to us only through faith in Christ.” (34)

2. Being a Disciple:
- “Salvation is free, but it leads to a discipleship that will cost you everything you have.” (46)

3. Being a Member:
- From Acts 6:1-4: “Luke sums them (believers) up in one word: Devotion … they were addicted to 1. The apostles’ teaching, 2. Their fellow Christians, and 3. The worship of God.” (52)

4. Worship:
- “Worship in the presence of God has the power to undeceive us … it takes us to pieces and then reconstructs us … the whole Christian life involves an ever repeated cycle of discovering fresh layers of sin to be dealt with and fresh supplies of forgiveness and cleansing … sadly, it is possible - all too possible - to ‘come to church’ and yet never ‘arrive at worship’” 70-79).

5. The Bible:
- “The word deconstructs us. It does so, not to destroy us, but to clear the ground, to deal with everything that distorts our lives and draws them away from the Lord and his blessing” (92).

6. Baptism:
- “Martin Luther used to say ‘I am a baptized man’ whenever he felt himself under pressure and temptation … I sometimes wonder if only a minority of Christians give much thought to the ongoing significance of their baptism … is your baptism a functional reality in your life” (99-101)?

7. Prayer:
- “Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath, the Christian’s native air … by God’s grace we can be constantly breathing in the pure oxygen of another world, living in an atmosphere of prayerful communion with God” (121-122).

8. Service:
- “The only leading position for Jesus’ friends is the kneeling position” (150).

9. Communion:
- “The Lord’s Supper is a miniature drama of the whole Christian life” (164).

10. Witness and World Mission:
- “There was a time, not so long ago, when children in our churches were encouraged to think of missionaries as the great heroes of the faith … we hear less talk of that kind today” (186).

[Bill Pence · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, by respected theologian Sinclair Ferguson, is about what it means for Christians to be members of a church. Some wonder if it is important to be members of a church. This would be a good book to read to help address that question. The author tells us that being a Christian, by definition, involves belonging to the church—and that, in turn, means belonging to a particular church.
Ferguson tells us that family is what the church is. Through faith in Christ, we become members of his family, and when we become church members, we are saying ‘I too am a disciple of Jesus’.
Among the topics covered in the book are church membership, worship, discipleship, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, prayer, service, witness, and evangelism.
Ferguson tells us that at the end of the day this is what it means to belong to a church:
• To be part of a fellowship that worships and serves locally, but whose vision stretches to the ends of the earth and to the end of history
• To be part of the family of Christ in which brothers and sisters are united in faith and hope and love.
He writes that it is the greatest privilege in the world to believe in Christ and to belong to his people.
Below are 15 of my favorite quotes from the book:
1. Salvation is free, but it leads to a discipleship that will cost you everything you have.
2. The whole Christian life involves an ever-repeated cycle of discovering fresh layers of sin to be dealt with and fresh supplies of forgiveness and cleansing.
3. God never leaves us in church in the same condition in which he found us when we came to worship.
4. Baptism summons us to live the whole of our lives in relation to the Name that has been written on us in water.
5. The sign of baptism proclaims the gospel to us; it points us to Christ and all that faith receives from him.
6. We praise God because he is great and glorious, we pray to him because we are weak and in need.
7. Unless we see prayer as work, we may never get round to including it in our schedule as a basic discipline in our lives. It will be treated as an optional extra.
8. Prayerlessness is a kind of practical atheism.
9. To be a Christian, then, to belong to the church, means to be willing and eager to serve, and then actually to serve.
10. The most important fact to know about the Lord’s Supper is that Jesus Christ himself is present with us when we receive the bread and wine from the table.
11. It (the Lord’s Supper) is a foretaste of what is yet to come. The invisible presence of Christ with us assures us of the glory that his visible presence will bring.
12. Obedient Christians, faithful church members are therefore, by definition, witnesses.
13. Our witness to the world is seen in both word and action.
14. Evangelism therefore needs to be seen as a corporate activity in which each member of the entire church family has a role to play.
15. Obedience is the only way to maximize your life for Jesus Christ.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way we do church has been different over the years. But there are certain hallmarks of church life that should never change. In Devoted to God’s Church, Sinclair B. Ferguson shares the 11 core values for Christian fellowship.

Distinct Traits of a True Church

These 11 core values are the church, being a Christian, being a disciple, being a member, worship, the Bible, baptism, prayer, service, Communion, and witness/world mission. Ferguson does not write about any particular church, but he writes in general about all churches. These are distinct traits of a true church.

Ferguson writes in a witty and winsome way. He explains Scripture and shares stories. He is clear and compelling. At just over 150 pages, this book reads quickly and gets you thinking about how your church and your convictions align with God’s Word.

For instance, Ferguson articulates how many of us might go to church, but not all will arrive at church. He is talking about worship being a matter and disposition of the heart. He uses Isaiah 6 to describe what he means by arriving at the true worship of God.

The Privilege of Being God’s People

What I found most exciting was how forthright Ferguson writes about being a church member. He describes it as a “glorious addiction,” and I found myself yearning for the ministry of the Word, the fellowship of the saints, and the worship of the Lord. I was reminded of the immense privilege it is to be a part of and amongst God’s people.

When writing about prayer, Ferguson borrows from James Montgomery Boice in describing it as “the Christian’s native air.” He uses the Lord’s Prayer to help us see how it is an excellent example to start our own prayers. He reminds us that prayer takes real work, but is also richly rewarding.

The Bride of Christ

This is an excellent book for those new to the faith. But it’s also a refreshing reminder to older saints who want to see the church with new eyes. When you believe in Christ, you belong to his people. She is the Bride of Christ. And he is wholly devoted to her.

I received a media copy of Devoted to God’s Church and this is my honest review.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having the experience of a church divided and unsettled , this book by Sinclair Ferguson has been a help to return my focus to the basics of what is a church and how can I be a better church member. Every chapter addressed an important matter of church life and gave clarity to a heart and mind that was struggling and sad about church. From the first chapter on Family Life to each following chapter I found food for my soul and balm for a heart missing a beloved pastor of 50 yrs who had been take by death. What is a church?, what should a member of a church look like ; should membership even be necessary? How can I listen and support my present pastors better? How can I serve better ? Through Dr. Ferguson’s clear , concise, and Biblical writing I have found just what I needed - a renewed devotion to the church where God has providential placed me and not the one down the street or the next town that seems so much better and without turmoil. Thank you for another excellent book Dr. Ferguson!

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right off the bat, Ferguson tells us that this book is not a secret manual for church growth. Instead, it is his views on how the local church under the lordship of King Jesus should be, regardless of size, location and culture.

Ferguson covers common topics that any church member can relate to: membership, baptism, salvation, holy communion, admissions, etc. Within each chapter, he takes a biblical text and illuminate it to us. Really good stuff!

And you get pithy truths along the way. For example, “salvation is free, but it leads to a discipleship that will cost you everything you have.”

The maxim continues to hole true: whatever Ferguson writes, it is well worth a read. What I appreciate most about him is that he sees things that less experienced people don’t see; specifically, he doesn’t teach anything extra/non biblical. Instead, he points out things that you should have seen in the Bible if you had his years of experience. And that, I’m really grateful for.

This book is highly recommended!

[Matt Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in a similar style and even a similar length to Sinclair Ferguson’s, the Christian life, this book is dedicated to church membership. The basic thesis is membership matters. Why does that have to be said? Because the church has not been acting like it. Other clubs require membership and rules for members, but the church has not done that. So does a brief synopsis of the privileges and responsibilities of members of the local church. It tells us to be present how we should view scripture. I would like to have seen more in the sacraments, but basically he tells us and charges us to fix the problem, that local church fails because we have become regular attenders and not members.

[Jonathan Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a most beautiful and edifying book. I think that all believers should read this; "Devoted to God's Church" may be, in my opinion, one of the best books on being a member of the church, both local body and universal, that has ever been written.
Ferguson's use of Scripture, history, and personal anecdotes makes reading about being a church member easy to understand and apply in our lives, both individually and corporately. I was very convicted and equally encouraged by this book.

I plan on gifting copies to a few people in the days and weeks to come.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Jon

[Benjamin Davenport · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the most excellent book I’ve read on church membership and one of the best Ferguson has written in general. Just about perfect for what it is. Plenty of meat for those who have been believers for decades, good exhortations for all Christians, and at the same time a useful introduction to those who have not been church members. I look forward to using this in our church membership class - and also look forward to the opportunity to read it again!

[Christa Blakey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devoted to God’s Church: Core Values for Christian Fellowship by Sinclair Ferguson is bold and compelling, covering eleven aspects of commitment to Christ and participation as a part of his body. This book will challenge how you have previously thought about your personal involvement in the church! He definitively shows from Scripture the privilege it is to belong to the family of God and just how central our responsibility to that family must be.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've ever wondered what the church is about and why people think it's so important anyways- this is a good one. It breaks down topics such as defining the church, membership, baptism, communion, etc... in an easy to read and approachable way. It uses Scripture - not to back up its points- but as the standard. Loved this book.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a standing rule: If Sinclair Ferguson writes a book, I try to read it! He has a depth of understanding the Scriptures combined with a clarity and simplicity of explaining them. This book expresses old truths about church life, but it feels fresh in its presentation. Highly recommended!

[Susan Kendrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good, pretty basic. Dr F writes in such a simple straightforward way. Would be easy to read together for a group study. I liked the first few chapters better than the 2nd half of the book for whatever reason.

[William Ansel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really great book. Another book started during my Discipleship Group and didn’t get to finish together, and now getting to it. Really gives a practical approach on how to find your place in your own church, and how it’s not something we do alone. Really recommend.

[Nick Roark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timely