The Living Church - by John Stott (Paperback)

About the Book

John Stott describes the characteristics of an "authentic" or "living" church that conserves Scripture and radically combines tradition and that convention called "culture." He presents the Bible's wisdom with a teacher's skill and applies it with a pastor's heart. Stott shows that becoming a living church is not an impossible goal.

Book Synopsis

John Stott describes the characteristics of an "authentic" or "living" church that conserves Scripture and radically combines tradition and that convention called "culture." He presents the Bible's wisdom with a teacher's skill and applies it with a pastor's heart. Stott shows that becoming a living church is not an impossible goal.

Review Quotes

"A gem of a book, which every committed Christian needs to read. Here is the heartbeat of a godly minister of the gospel."

"I have relied on John Stott's books for decades as both guides to practice and nourishment to belief. Our church, Redeemer Presbyterian in New York City, has attempted to incarnate all that I, and a generation or more of Christians, have learned from him. This new book promises to be just as helpful in navigating modern controversies and issues."

"I'd like to be able to say that this is a book for pastors, but it's just as much for the flock as it is for their shepard. Stott takes his decades of experience in pastoral ministry and missions and whittles it down into basically an annotated outline of what the Church as a whole should look like. . . .a Survival guide of sorts, teachign what is vital to the life of the church."

"It is biblical. It is encouraging, and it is instructive. His insights are to be found on every page. He writes with conviction and candor, without rancor or provocation. And as a man in his late 80s, he demonstrates a joyful wisdom too rarely observed in aging pastors and scholars."

"Stott has earned a close reading through his more than 50 years of faithful service to the church. He understands the dangers facing the church and the urgent need for 'God's new community' to be biblically strong and outward looking. He seeks a biblical middle ground between emergent churches and those traditional ones that have become complacent."

"This short, well-organized book is perhaps most useful for those clergy and laity who are directly involved in ministry."

"While many high-profile churches come and go, All Souls, Langham Place, in the heart of London has maintained its spiritual vitality and mission commitment over many decades. Its effectiveness has depended not on a formula for success but on an unswerving commitment to fundamental biblical principles. The Living Church establishes the foundations for a biblically balanced approach to ministry that is comprehensive in its scope and expressed with John Stott's characteristic clarity. It provides a valuable resource for church leaders seeking to revitalize existing churches and for those birthing new faith communities."

"While Stott offers a special word to young ministers, his message is applicable to both clergy and laity of all ages."

"Young pastors with a love for Jesus' church will be blessed by this timely gift from one of the most important evangelical voices."

As the subtitle claims, these are the "convictions of a "lifelong pastor." Turning 87 in April, Stott, an inveterate list-maker, has had plenty of time to develop his convictions."

About the Author

John Stott is known worldwide as a preacher, evangelist and communicator of Scripture. For many years he served as rector of All Souls Church in London, where he carried out an effective urban pastoral ministry. Stott was honored by Time magazine in 2005 as one of the "100 Most Influential People in the World." His many books, including Why I Am a Christian and The Cross of Christ, have sold millions of copies around the world and in dozens of languages.