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Crucial Questions
Why Should I Join a Church?
"In Why Should I Join a Church?, Dr. R.C. Sproul argues for the importance and biblical foundation for church membership. To do this, he defines the church by a primary New Testament signification as the "bride of Christ" and also discusses the implications of the church being the "body of Christ." Furthermore, he defines the church in terms of the Nicene Creed as "one, holy, catholic, and apostolic" and its nature as a mixed body of believers and unbelievers. In this book, Dr. Sproul not only addresses the question of why to join a church but also of when to leave a church"--
69 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2019
128 people are currently reading
299 people want to read
About the author
R.C. Sproul
673 books2,001 followersDr. R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was founder of Ligonier Ministries, an international Christian discipleship organization located near Orlando, Fla. He was founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine.
Ligonier Ministries began in 1971 as the Ligonier Valley Study Center in Ligonier, Pa. In an effort to respond more effectively to the growing demand for Dr. Sproul’s teachings and the ministry’s other educational resources, the general offices were moved to Orlando in 1984, and the ministry was renamed.
Dr. Sproul’s radio program, Renewing Your Mind, is still broadcast daily on hundreds of radio stations around the world and can also be heard online. Dr. Sproul produced hundreds of lecture series and recorded numerous video series on subjects such as the history of philosophy, theology, Bible study, apologetics, and Christian living.
He contributed dozens of articles to national evangelical publications, spoke at conferences, churches, and academic institutions around the world, and wrote more than one hundred books, including The Holiness of God, Chosen by God, and Everyone’s a Theologian. He signed the 1978 Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy and wrote a commentary on that document. He also served as general editor of the Reformation Study Bible, previously known as the New Geneva Study Bible.
Dr. Sproul had a distinguished academic teaching career at various colleges and seminaries, including Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando and Jackson, Miss. He was ordained as a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 4, 2021
Short book, big truths.
“We don’t often find people excitedly saying, ‘oh, how I love the church!’ There is a disconnect here, because we know with certainty that Christ loves the church. And if we are of Christ, we can’t possibly fail to love, or even despise, what is so loved by Him”
Definitely the church has many flaws, and Sproul even spends an entire chapter addressing when we ought to not even consider a “church” to be a Church. But more importantly, he reminds the Christian reader that their posture towards the Church is not a matter of taste or opinion. Very important reminder for the cynical and proud (like me)!
“We don’t often find people excitedly saying, ‘oh, how I love the church!’ There is a disconnect here, because we know with certainty that Christ loves the church. And if we are of Christ, we can’t possibly fail to love, or even despise, what is so loved by Him”
Definitely the church has many flaws, and Sproul even spends an entire chapter addressing when we ought to not even consider a “church” to be a Church. But more importantly, he reminds the Christian reader that their posture towards the Church is not a matter of taste or opinion. Very important reminder for the cynical and proud (like me)!
April 21, 2025
Clar şi convingător. Sproul iubeşte biserică, dar ştie că ea nu este perfectă, şi prin această carte el ne încurajează pe noi s-o iubim. Ar fi fost bine să fie un capitol despre motive principale pentru care oameni nu vor să se alăture unei biserici, şi cum să răspundem la asta. Dar este o carte bună şi o recomănd fiecărui creştin care cred că biserică este ceva opțional în viața lui.
October 31, 2020
I enjoyed this short booklet on joining a church, or rather why Christians should. I especially appreciated the chapter on the invisible vs. visible church. Overall it was helpful, I don't regret reading it.
November 11, 2019
In this new book in his Crucial Questions series (free in the Kindle edition), R.C. Sproul (1939 – 2017), seeks to define what the church is, explain what the church is made up of, and explore the church’s vocation and mission. The church isn’t a building, rather the church is people. Though some say that they can worship God without belonging to a church, Sproul tells us how vital it is for Christians to be joined to a body of believers.
He writes about the different images we have for the church, such as the bride of Christ. The primary reason the church is called the bride of Christ is because Jesus purchased His bride. The New Testament often speaks of the church as “the body of Christ.” When Jesus redeems an individual, He places him into a group, and He calls that group His own body. If the body is working well and working together, when one member suffers, everyone suffers; when one part is honored, everyone rejoices. In the body of Christ, we retain our individuality, but that individuality makes its own contribution to the whole. We are all part of the body of Christ, we all have gifts, and we all have a part to play in promoting the health and growth of the body. Another image of the church is the family of God.
The author then goes over a famous list of adjectives from the Nicene Creed that the church has used to confess its concept of itself. Those are:
• The church is one. There is a common core of truth that every true church affirms. He tells us that in the fellowship of the church we are “with union” with other people, and that is part of the oneness of the church. That communion is not only a communion of saints living, but we who are united to Christ in this world are, at least in a mystical sense, communing with those who have gone before us, who are alive and present and abiding in Christ.
• The church is holy. Because God has separated this institution from every other human institution, He has consecrated it, and by consecrating it or setting it apart, God has made it holy.
• The church is catholic. The word catholic simply means “universal.” The author tells us that the various denominations have certain distinctives, and points on which they disagree. But insofar as they hold to the one true faith, they are part of the one catholic church. All true believers, in every denomination, are part of the one catholic church.
• The church is Apostolic. Jesus Himself said that the very foundation of the church is the Apostles. Through the passing down of the true faith, the authority of the Apostles remains intact in the life of the church. The authority of the Apostles is expressed in the life of the church today through the sacred Scriptures.
The author then addresses two aspects of the church – the visible church (who we see in church and who is on the church rolls), and the invisible church (true believers). The visible church includes unbelievers as well as believers. He tells us that there may be the occasional individual who is part of the invisible church but not part of the visible church, but that would be unusual. The point of distinction between the visible and the invisible has to do with the state of the soul.
He looks at when you may and should leave a church. He tells us that an apostate is one who, having first made a profession of faith, later repudiates it. He writes that it is a dreadful word to ascribe to anyone, but to use it to describe a church is radical indeed.
The author looks at the three marks of a church that the Reformers identified:
1. The first mark is that the gospel is preached.
2. The second mark is the administration of the sacraments.
3. The third mark is discipline.
The author tells us that the Reformers asserted that when an institution denies or rejects something that is essential to the gospel, that then church ceases to be a church. The first mark of the church is perhaps the most important, and to fail on that point is for a body to invalidate itself as a true church. He tells us that the same goes for the other two marks.
The author then looks at the mission of the church. He tells us that for the church to be the church, it must, in this world, be the church militant—it is engaged in battle. One of the primary tasks of the church is to equip the saints for ministry. He tells us that every Christian is called to participate in the ministry of the church in some way, and it’s only when the laity becomes mobilized that the church militant makes an impact on the world.
This short book about the church would be a good one to give to, and read and discuss with a new believer. It is written clearly and concisely.
He writes about the different images we have for the church, such as the bride of Christ. The primary reason the church is called the bride of Christ is because Jesus purchased His bride. The New Testament often speaks of the church as “the body of Christ.” When Jesus redeems an individual, He places him into a group, and He calls that group His own body. If the body is working well and working together, when one member suffers, everyone suffers; when one part is honored, everyone rejoices. In the body of Christ, we retain our individuality, but that individuality makes its own contribution to the whole. We are all part of the body of Christ, we all have gifts, and we all have a part to play in promoting the health and growth of the body. Another image of the church is the family of God.
The author then goes over a famous list of adjectives from the Nicene Creed that the church has used to confess its concept of itself. Those are:
• The church is one. There is a common core of truth that every true church affirms. He tells us that in the fellowship of the church we are “with union” with other people, and that is part of the oneness of the church. That communion is not only a communion of saints living, but we who are united to Christ in this world are, at least in a mystical sense, communing with those who have gone before us, who are alive and present and abiding in Christ.
• The church is holy. Because God has separated this institution from every other human institution, He has consecrated it, and by consecrating it or setting it apart, God has made it holy.
• The church is catholic. The word catholic simply means “universal.” The author tells us that the various denominations have certain distinctives, and points on which they disagree. But insofar as they hold to the one true faith, they are part of the one catholic church. All true believers, in every denomination, are part of the one catholic church.
• The church is Apostolic. Jesus Himself said that the very foundation of the church is the Apostles. Through the passing down of the true faith, the authority of the Apostles remains intact in the life of the church. The authority of the Apostles is expressed in the life of the church today through the sacred Scriptures.
The author then addresses two aspects of the church – the visible church (who we see in church and who is on the church rolls), and the invisible church (true believers). The visible church includes unbelievers as well as believers. He tells us that there may be the occasional individual who is part of the invisible church but not part of the visible church, but that would be unusual. The point of distinction between the visible and the invisible has to do with the state of the soul.
He looks at when you may and should leave a church. He tells us that an apostate is one who, having first made a profession of faith, later repudiates it. He writes that it is a dreadful word to ascribe to anyone, but to use it to describe a church is radical indeed.
The author looks at the three marks of a church that the Reformers identified:
1. The first mark is that the gospel is preached.
2. The second mark is the administration of the sacraments.
3. The third mark is discipline.
The author tells us that the Reformers asserted that when an institution denies or rejects something that is essential to the gospel, that then church ceases to be a church. The first mark of the church is perhaps the most important, and to fail on that point is for a body to invalidate itself as a true church. He tells us that the same goes for the other two marks.
The author then looks at the mission of the church. He tells us that for the church to be the church, it must, in this world, be the church militant—it is engaged in battle. One of the primary tasks of the church is to equip the saints for ministry. He tells us that every Christian is called to participate in the ministry of the church in some way, and it’s only when the laity becomes mobilized that the church militant makes an impact on the world.
This short book about the church would be a good one to give to, and read and discuss with a new believer. It is written clearly and concisely.
October 2, 2023
Excellent breakdown
Thoroughly enjoyed this RC Sproul book. It was very much biblical. It had a very good breakdown of all core reasons. It didn't deal with anything superficial about whether you should be in a church or not. It took the stage that you should be and explained the core biblical reasons why. I also enjoyed the firm stances Dr. Sproul took towards the church and it's functional militant role, and the Church and the relationship a Christian should have with it, IF they are saved.
Thoroughly enjoyed this RC Sproul book. It was very much biblical. It had a very good breakdown of all core reasons. It didn't deal with anything superficial about whether you should be in a church or not. It took the stage that you should be and explained the core biblical reasons why. I also enjoyed the firm stances Dr. Sproul took towards the church and it's functional militant role, and the Church and the relationship a Christian should have with it, IF they are saved.
September 18, 2024
Join the Church
Why? No one is an island! The knowledge of Christ Jesus is in the church. The Ethiopian asked regarding Isaiah 53: "Of whom does the writer speak?" The clear explanation is to be found in the church. Growth as a Christian comes from the ministry of the church. Preaching of the Gospel, instruction in Sanctification, administration of the Sacraments come from the church. These things plus the fellowship of other believes the family of God. Join read the church!!
Why? No one is an island! The knowledge of Christ Jesus is in the church. The Ethiopian asked regarding Isaiah 53: "Of whom does the writer speak?" The clear explanation is to be found in the church. Growth as a Christian comes from the ministry of the church. Preaching of the Gospel, instruction in Sanctification, administration of the Sacraments come from the church. These things plus the fellowship of other believes the family of God. Join read the church!!
September 2, 2021
Points to remember
Jesus paid a price for the church
The body builds one another up
Invisible vs Visible church
The church is one, holy, catholic(universal) and apostolic
Apostolic - if you deny Jesus you deny the father because the father sent him therefore if you deny Paul you deny Jesus because Jesus sent him
The church is an army and hospital
Jesus paid a price for the church
The body builds one another up
Invisible vs Visible church
The church is one, holy, catholic(universal) and apostolic
Apostolic - if you deny Jesus you deny the father because the father sent him therefore if you deny Paul you deny Jesus because Jesus sent him
The church is an army and hospital
March 2, 2022
In today’s individualistic society, more and more people are forgoing attending a church. Some people are even downright hostile towards this ancient institution. But is that how Christians should react? In this booklet from the Crucial Questions Series, R.C. Sproul takes a look at the serious question of why Christians should join a church as well as what makes a church a Christian institution. Written in his usual, clarifying way, I would recommend this book for any new Christian or those who are unsure about joining a church.
February 5, 2023
It was a decent introduction to the importance of the church, but despite being a booklet that couldn't go into depth, I felt like it fell short of where it could have gone. It focused on some general positives, which is good, but didn't really talk about the necessity of discipline and oversight or the consequences for not joining a church.
April 25, 2023
R.C. Sproul provides a wonderful apologetic to define and defend the church. This is intentionally a short read for those who want to witness and/or evangelize or for those who are considering this question themselves. Everyone who is a Christian should read this book so that he or she can truly understand the nature of the church and further the mission of the church.
August 8, 2020
Good Information
Sproul does a good job in giving historical information to the church's beginning. Thus gives good reason why every believer will desire to be part of the local church body.
Sproul does a good job in giving historical information to the church's beginning. Thus gives good reason why every believer will desire to be part of the local church body.
July 6, 2022
No understanding of Mormons
Every time this author mentions mormons, he shows his ignorance. Ge should preach the gospel he knows and quit being so against a group that his judgement is clouded.
Every time this author mentions mormons, he shows his ignorance. Ge should preach the gospel he knows and quit being so against a group that his judgement is clouded.
March 15, 2024
The Priesthood of Believers
A powerful read on the history of how the Bible came into print with the influence of Martin Luther, and the importance of being around the body of Christ
A powerful read on the history of how the Bible came into print with the influence of Martin Luther, and the importance of being around the body of Christ
November 22, 2021
Good overview on what the church is, and how we are to be a part of it... Recommended read...
December 22, 2021
Un resumen de la doctrina de la iglesia, como tal se merece 4 estrellas, pero falla en responder la pregunta del titulo
July 2, 2023
Excellent. The part on the church militant is particularly good.
December 21, 2023
Short book about the church and what that is. But I dont see that he answers the titles question.
January 28, 2025
Theologically sound as usual and provides helpful points for teaching. But overall this would probably not be a resource that I would use to convince the average person to join a church.
January 14, 2022
Anything Sproul writes is worth reading, and the church is vitally important to our lives. Let him tell you why.
January 29, 2020
I like this booklet well enough, but I don't think Sproul adequately addresses his title question, aside from a small section at the beginning and a closing riff that boils down to "The church has stuff to do, and it needs you and you need it." The bulk of the text focuses more on "What is the church?" It's a worthy topic, and an overlapping one (including ideas about what makes a church), but it doesn't get at the heart of the question.
Obviously these are topics that could fill up volumes and that's not Sproul's intent with his Crucial Questions series, but this one missed just a little for me. I think it would be best if read as part of a series of books circling these issues, maybe including Jonathan Leeman's Church Membership.
Obviously these are topics that could fill up volumes and that's not Sproul's intent with his Crucial Questions series, but this one missed just a little for me. I think it would be best if read as part of a series of books circling these issues, maybe including Jonathan Leeman's Church Membership.
November 8, 2019
Insightful
I really liked this booklet. I reinforced previously held beliefs and enhanced my knowledge of them. I would recommend it to anyone.
I really liked this booklet. I reinforced previously held beliefs and enhanced my knowledge of them. I would recommend it to anyone.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews