The second in Joe Thorn’s three-book series on the confession, nature, and expression of the Church,The Character of the Church explores what the church is fundamentally like.Useful for training in membership classes, discipleship groups, and elder boards-and even for devotional reading-The Character of the Church is at once theological, practical, and experiential. Readers will not simply be informed, but led to a deeper appreciation of the church of God.For a local church to actually be a church, certain marks are essential. A church that follows the apostles’ pattern is one where: ·The word of God is faithfully preached ·The sacraments are rightly administered ·Leadership is biblically formed and functioning ·Discipline is practiced with grace ·The mission of the church is shared by allDrawing from Scripture, theology, and church history, Joe Thorn expounds each of these in detail, yet leading readers to clear understanding. A book for laymen, The Character of the Church helps Christians know plainly what makes a church a church, and how to conduct themselves accordingly.

What do you do when you’re at the end of your rope?For Christians, there is only one simple yet profound answer: turn to the triune God. Born out of lessons learned during one of the most spiritually challenging periods of his life, Experiencing the Trinity by pastor Joe Thorn contains 50 down-to-earth meditations on God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Overflowing with scriptural truth, pastoral wisdom, and personal honesty, this book reflects on common experiences of doubt, fear, and temptation-pointing readers to the grace that God provides and the strength that he promises.

The first in Joe Thorn’s three-book series on the confession, nature, and expression of the Church, The Heart of the Church explores the center of the Church’s life and identity: the gospel.Useful for training in membership classes, discipleship groups, and elder boards-and even for devotional reading-The Heart of the Church is at once theological, practical, and experiential. Readers will not simply be informed, but led to believe in, rejoice in, and be transformed by the truth of God for his gathered people.Drawing from Scripture, church history, and theology, Thorn portrays the gospel in all its kaleidoscopic glory. He expounds its: ·Contents-the basic message of Scripture culminating in Jesus ·Details and definitions-the moving parts of the gospel truth ·Practical implications-the basic marks of every gospel believerWithout the gospel, the church does not exist. This book is Thorn’s full and detailed exploration of the message that is indispensable to the church’s life and identity.

The third in Joe Thorn’s three-book series on the confession, nature, and expression of the Church, The Life of the Church explores what the church does because of who it is.Useful for training in membership class, discipleship groups, and elder boards-and even for devotional reading-The Life of the Church is at once theological, practical, and experiential. Readers will not simply be informed, but led to a deeper conviction about their role in the body of Christ. Drawing from Scripture, church history, and theology, Thorn portrays the fundamental practices of the church: ·Community-what it really means to have all things in common ·Worship-the purpose and nature of our weekly gathering ·Public life-the role of the church in a lost and broken worldIf you wonder what it means to be saved into a body of believers, why the various parts of a worship service matter, and how to engage in the world as a citizen of heaven-or if you’ve never even considered those things-then The Life of the Church is for you. It answers this critical question: “Why does the church exist, and how does it shape my life?”

We need good preaching-preaching that challenges us by God’s Word and brings the comfort that comes from God’s promises. Yet many of us rely solely on others to preach to us and are not benefitting from the kind of preaching that should be most consistent and personal-preaching to ourselves. Note to Self is a practical introduction to this daily discipline. Pastor Joe Thorn delivers fifty brief, devotional chapters that model preaching the gospel to ourselves and its practical implications. Readers will be challenged by the book’s direct, personal exhortations to apply the law and the gospel to their own lives.