What is the church, at its core? Ideally, beneath the cultural trappings, it is a community of people governed by the Word and taught by the Spirit. Building on this foundation, Van Gelder draws on Scripture, sociology, and history to rethink contemporary church structure, with an eye toward keeping it on course for the 21st century. 256 pages, softcover from Baker.

This fresh perspective on the church explores its essential nature as a community of people governed by the Word and led and taught by the Spirit.

Craig Van Gelder is professor of congregational mission at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He is a church consultant, coeditor of The Church Between Gospel and Culture, and editor of Confident Witness-Changing World.

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