Book Review: Devoted To God's Church Sinclair B. Ferguson

 

I bought this book just after Christmas with some gift vouchers someone in the congregation had kindly given me and it is quite simply a superb little book. Sinclair Ferguson authored a book a few years ago entitled "Devoted to God" which was essentially a manual on discipleship, this volume with a similar name instead focuses on how as Christians we are called to be devoted to God's church. It is a very timely book given the current situation we find ourselves in with churches being largely online, with very little accountability on attendance or not, but also in an age where church attendance in general is declining this book is a helpful counter to that.

There are 11 chapters in the book each focusing on slightly different aspects of the life of the gathered church, ranging from mission to preaching to prayer. I have to say the chapter i found most helpful was the first chapter and the simple focus Ferguson had on just showing up to church. The contrast he draws out with the Rotary club membership is fascinating. If you are a member of the Rotary club the constitution states that you have to be there, you have to make up missed meetings somewhere else or face the consequences. If that is true of something as insignificant as the Rotary club then surely how much more seriously should we take church attendance and participation? This was a tremendous tonic to the current climate in which people struggle to commit or if they do commit it will only be to a very limited amount of time and energy.

This book isn't a long read, only 180 odd pages and it is interwoven with some very helpful, very down to earth illustrations which bring home the truths to the reader in a very relatable way. The call to be devoted to God's church is one that as followers of Jesus we all need to take seriously and this book will help us along the road to that devotion.

The book can be purchased here