Why Should We Love the Local Church?

by Dustin W. Benge

Awakening Affection for the Beauty of God's Church

Dear. Precious. Lovely. The Bible describes the church in extraordinary ways, even using beautiful poetry and metaphors. How does this compare to how Christians today describe the church? Unfortunately, many believers focus more on its mission, structure, or specific programs than on its inherent beauty. It's time to spark a renewed affection for the church.

In this concise version of The Loveliest Place, Dustin Benge urges Christians to see the holy assembly of God's redeemed people in all its eternal beauty. He explains what makes the church lovely, including the Trinitarian relationship, worship, service, and gospel proclamation. For those who have never learned to view the church as God sees it, or have become disillusioned by its flaws, this book is a reminder that the corporate gathering of believers is a reflection of God's indescribable beauty.

This book is part of the Union series, which invites readers to experience deeper enjoyment of God through four interconnected values: delighting in God, growing in Christ, serving the church, and blessing the world.

Genres: Church, Christian, Audiobook, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Theology

96 pages, Paperback

Published April 12, 2022

About the author

Dustin Benge (Ph.D., The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is Associate Professor of Biblical Spirituality and Historical Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. He also serves as co-director and senior fellow of The Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies. Follow Dustin on Twitter: @DustinBenge. Dustin and his wife, Molli, live in Louisville.

Reviews

[Katrina Van Grouw · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice, short book (I listened to the audio which was an hour 1/2) about the local church and its relationship to Christ, its members, and why is is so important to love it. Benge makes the point of showing that Christ’s bride is the church, and how holy and vital the church is to a Christian’s walk.

[Brandon Rathbun · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second abbreviated book I’ve read in the Union Series by Crossway.

While not as in depth as the full length version, these books are accessible, understandable, and tangible.

This book specifically should be considered for church use across the board. From seminars to freebies to visitors. It’s deep for those who won’t to dwell and attainable for those who want a quick synopsis.

[Carissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Pretty short, but good overall, especially post-covid and showing the need and beauty of being a part of the local church. Didn't realize it's a shorter version of his book The Loveliest Place. I listened on the Crossway podcast for free.

[Jamie Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

so good

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This shorter version of The Loveliest Place was a great into to the book. Kind of almost like the pre-reading proscribed by many teachers/authors, like in the book How To Read A Book. So I recommend doing this one first and then moving onto the full book.

I read this to prepare to preach on the bride of Christ. The second half was really good and one I will use in the sermon. Recommended

Second time through: listened to this on the Crossway podcast. Still very good!

[Jordan Swails]

I had a hard time pacing myself on this one…such simple, hard truths presented with conviction and ease. Lead me to pray with both humility and gratitude for the Church and our local expression of it. Also gave me deeper love for the sweet friend who gifted it to me and who cares for our local church so selflessly.

[millie · Rating 4 out of 5]

biblical + brief

[Bobby Bonser · Rating 5 out of 5]

A concise and easy read from Union Publishing (Michael Reeves is general editor).
Benge starts by rooting our affections for the church in the Trinity and Christ Himself.

"This book is about the loveliness, beauty, and glory of the church. It's for all those who sometimes struggle to see those qualities in her. If you tirelessly serve within her ministries while dismayed by her apparent failures, or have rare, unsustainable glimpses of her beauty, this book is for you. The singular goal is to awaken your affections. Not affections for form, methodology, structure, organization, or programs, but affections for who she is and why she exists." - Benge

And he accomplished this goal in many ways. He first reminds us that, "The church is beautiful because God is beautiful." All beauty of the church is a new reflection of the character of God. If there is anything good or beautiful in the church, it is there because of God.

He reminds us that God will never give up on the church. The church is the center of His promised affection on earth. "He will never love the church any less than he always has."

And all of this is rooted in the beauty of Christ.
"The beauty of gospel worship, the worship with which we must concern ourselves as the bride of Christ, is found not in ritual and ceremony but in Christ and Christ alone."

What a great small book on this topic! Highly recommend.

[Josh Tuttle · Rating 3 out of 5]

“To be a biblically faithful pastor and faithfully beautify the church, one’s heart must beat in rhythm with the heart of Christ, both privately and publicly.”

[Thomas Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great short read! I definitely will have to read the unabridged version, titled “The Loveliest Place”

[Zach True · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautifully written and God ordained book. Everything is laid out so plainly yet is exemplified the beauty of the Church and what it means for a Christian to take part in it.

[Caleb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly it’s probably more of a 2.5 for me. I know this little book is abridged slightly from his larger book on this subject, but reading this didn’t make me want to read the full book.

Nothing he said was inherently “wrong” (except maybe some of his section on the sacraments) but it was just kinda boring. Also he didn’t always seem to be connecting what he was talking about to why it is a reason to love the local church. Some of the chapter topics were obvious to me others not as much.

[kyleesreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚 Why Should We Love The Local Church? by Dustin Benge

“This book was meant for people who find themselves in a million different places, scattered abroad in local churches in every continent of the world, faithfully plodding, praying for a renewed hope and glimpse of the beauty and loveliness of the church.” ⛪️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is a condensed novella shortened from Dustin Benge’s book The Loveliest Place. It is less than a hundred pages and you can read it one sitting or sip on it over time. Dustin states that the goal of this book is to awaken your affections for who the church is and why she exists and he has succeeded 👏 I loved reading about God’s design for the church and why a Christian should be apart of both the global and local church. So much encouragement and theology packed into a short novella.

*❗️: Suitable for all ages

*my personal opinion

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[Ana Castillo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt like the book title was misleading. I kept waiting for the author to address the question “why should we love the local church?”. I didn’t get an answer.

I think it was a good introduction to what the church being the bride of Christ means and explaining how Christ died for his bride, the church.

It was a good book on what Christ means to the church or why we as a church call God our Father.

I essentially wanted to read it to gain more insight on why the church is important because I’ve had a lot of conversations with people who don’t think they need to go to church. So I was hoping I’d gain some new understanding and insight on this subject to talk to people differently but ultimately this wasn’t what I got.

The book was great quick, concise, sound book on explaining the relationship between Christ & His bride and things like what a pastor and deacon are and why communion and baptism are important.

[Brady Chubb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came away with exactly the opposite opinion as the last book in the series. This book should have been longer. The topics were a tad bit two separated to make a cohesive flow and it was only a couple pages on each topic. The book shifted from why a church to what a church and I enjoyed the why a church section better (that may not make sense but these reviews are for me not you). That being said I pretty much loved all this content and was provoked to thought and encouraged frequently. Good little read!

[The.Saved.Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prior to going to church, I used to say that you don’t have to go to church to be Christian, BUT what I found out was that church is so much more than a place you go to hear a Bible story with practical application for today. It’s a place of community where your faiths grows in to so much more than just going to hear the story. This books goes in to those details. This is a quick read and great writing. Check it out and see if it changes your mind or gives you new insight.

[Zak Mellgren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good little primer on the beauty of the local church. Could be helpful for newer, unchurched Christians, or Christians who have been around the church for a long time but haven't been paying attention. :)

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

I should have read the full-length version (The Loveliest Place) instead. Great truth here, just too short to develop anything well. Still, an overall helpful reminder of why we should love our churches.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

(I listened to this on audiobook.)

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise edition of The Loveliest Place. Very good summary that makes me excited to read the full version.

[Aisha Noble-Clarke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to audio: lovely listen!

[Iain Hamill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yep, helpful little intro!
Easier said than done at times still.

[Hannah Glang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick little synopsis of the beauty of the church, great lil read about how to grow in affection for it

[Jan Beekman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice little book about why we should love our local church!

[Stacia · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was a lot of rhetorical flourish in this book. I think the writing style would appeal to many, but it wasn't for me. It was an ok book with a couple of good quotes to take away.

[Makayla Cutlip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief,Biblical description on the bride of Christ.

[Caroline McGill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Theologically sound but basic introduction to the doctrine of the church.

[Steve Kays · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook. It was personally good for me to go through this book.