The Good Portion - The Church: The Doctrine of the Church, for Every Woman

The Good Portion

by Erin Wheeler

What is the Church? Why does it need to exist, and why is it so important? In this important addition to the Good Portion series, Erin Wheeler unpacks what the Bible says about the Church and invites us to see the beauty of the Bride of Christ. She begins by ensuring that we understand what the Church is before turning our attention to the specific things that churches do.

This book not only ensures that our minds and hearts are filled with correct doctrine, but encourages us to take steps towards putting our understanding into practice

Genres: Theology

240 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2022

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

My endorsement: “If you love Jesus, you will increasingly love what he loves. And Jesus loves the local church. Many believers, though, settle for a ‘church-optional’ Christianity. (I once did—it’s one of my biggest regrets.) Such a posture can understandably be downstream from distrust—from a negative, even tragic, church experience. In a fallen world, many churches are indeed sick. But others are healthy. And in infinite wisdom and love, Jesus has designed the Christian life—your Christian life—to orbit around a healthy church. Erin Wheeler wants to show you why that’s terrific news. Sister, the truths awaiting you here are not just necessary, like medicine. They are also beautiful, like the Messiah himself.”

[Alana Jorgensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an interesting and practical book! It’s a pretty short read but is packed with lots of information. Erin Wheeler walks through the doctrine of the church in a way that is super easy to understand. I felt encouraged as I was reading what a healthy church should look like. I kept seeing ways that my own church resembles the book. I would encourage anyone to read this. However, I think it’s especially helpful when you are a young adult picking your own church apart from where your family has always gone. The book opens your eyes to why the church is here and what it’s purpose is, as well as the importance of being involved in a local church.

[Hailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rich theology for women by women! I loved it so much and am so eager to read the whole series. Increased my love for the church and desire to be a healthy, committed, and vital church member. Also loved how many illustrations Erin used for the church, so beautiful and helpful.

[Hunter Beless · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, Erin Wheeler guides readers to a rich, biblical understanding of the beauty and the mission of the Church. I walked away with a greater affection for God’s people, encouraged to invest deeply in my local church for the glory of God. Highly recommend!

[Cheyenne Brunet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed every page and left this book loving my local church and having a greater desire to lay down my life for my brothers and sisters. Would highly recommend!

[Ella Claborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Read it alongside a mentor and gleaned so much Scriptural truths of the importance of the church, church membership and the author of the church’s design - Jesus! This book was written by women, for women and emphasizes the special role of women in the church. I greatly appreciate the emphasis of Scripture in this book.

[Taylor Sheffield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had great conversation with women in my church around this book (including the author herself hehe ;). I'm confident this book will prove to be helpful as I seek to love the body well and biblically articulate the significance of the local church to college students.

[Lydia Gilliam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love to listen to Erin Wheeler on Priscilla Talk and knew I would love this, too! I enjoyed reading a book about doctrine from a woman. We can love it, too! Our love of doctrine propels us to love the local church in a rich way that honors and glorifies God. So many good details in here that were very thought provoking and led to great discussion with my husband. Looking forward to more of the series!

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read to understand more of what a healthy church is and how it functions. Wheeler does a great of covering topics like membership, leadership, worship, and community in a way that’s easy to read and understand. This book will encourage you to see the church not just as a place you go, but as a people you belong to. I highly recommend for anyone who is curious as to what the importance of the local church is whether you are a new Christian or someone who has been a Christian for many years.

[Savannah Hollifield · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave some interesting insight into how women can learn to love theology. As someone who grew up in a church where women were not expected to know anything about theology or doctrine, it is incredibly encouraging to know there are women out there committed to breaking the stereotype.

Wheeler is a wonderful writer and speaker! I highly recommend listening to her podcast, if you get the chance!

[Claire Solomonides · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an extremely practical book to help the average church member understand the functions of the church. Erin fleshes out convictions in the church like the Lord’s supper, meaningful membership, church discipline etc. by using tons of scripture to make each of her arguments for these things. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to understand their convictions of the church deeper!

[Kelsy Minga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super accessible book. Was challenged and encouraged to think differently about the church - particularly as the “body”. I was spurred on to love those I’m covenanted with as Christ loves. I finished the book giving thanks to The Lord for my church.

Read and discussed this book with other women from church/ the author herself 🤓 made for a 10/10 reflection and time!

[Basayre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written for women by a woman, a helpful and brief doctrine of the church. Would recommend to someone who wants to develop their understanding of what the church is and why it matters to God, to Christians, and to the world.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a helpful consideration of what the Bible says about the Church. I especially appreciated the way Erin nudges the reader to consider her role and responsibility as a church member.

[Shannon Woodhouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book on the doctrine of the church! I thought it was well written, biblically accurate, and engaging.

[Ericka Andersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so well- written and clarified many things about the Church for me. I've been in church my entire life and know well the ways of it, but certain details of doctrine I was not aware of. This was a thorough rendering of the key aspects of God's church here on earth.

And what I've realized through reading this and research for my upcoming book (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...) is that when you understand the WHY behind God's structure of the church, it's much easier to obey and pursue His vision for it.

Erin is well-versed in this subject matter and does a fantastic job explaining God's bride with grace, compassion and truth. Highly recommend.

[Samantha Bradshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exactly what I needed to read in this season of life. There are many weeks when I leave church feeling completely defeated by trying to juggle two kids - one is crying and ready to sleep, the other is completely set against going to children’s church but doesn’t want to sit still during the corporate gathering. This book definitely renewed my perspective on the importance of attending church. While it may be difficult to attend, I know it ultimately is what God has intended for me to be a part of.

[Savannah Huffaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this with Katie Starks and it was so good!!!! Such a solid book theologically and explains the role of the church and the different aspects within it so well!!!! Also loved the discussion questions at the end of each chapter. They were really helpful to reflect and chew on rather than just speed through the book and not pay attention as much (as I sometimes do, but am working on).

[Maggie Sleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

“There is no perfect church. At least not right now. But that doesn’t give us license to just love Jesus however we deem best. It also doesn’t mean we give up and go rogue, doing the Christian life solo.”

[Sophia Underwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Finished this like 2 years ago)

Honestly had not thought about the church as a concept before this book. I don’t totally agree with everything in here but it has some really good bits and helped me start to ask questions / form opinions!

[Kasey Helder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grab some friends and read the whole series.

[Shannon Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

a great read that increased my affection for the local church! i agreed with everything she had to say. would recommend!!

[Coley Mangano]

So thankful for this book. It was a wonderful, clear, faithful, and easy-to-read doctrine of the church. Without exaggeration, it is a great culmination of the role of the church in the life of the believer and to the glory of God that has taken me years to understand in consuming various other sources on the subject. I can tell from her writing that Erin Wheeler has been diligent in both her biblical studies on the church and in her personal role as a member of the bride of Christ. What a great gift. Well done!

[Lisabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel bad rating this so low bc I think it honestly just wasn’t a subject I needed at this time. I started skimming chapters of interest to the finish.