The Character of the Church: The Marks of God's Obedient People

What makes a church a church? Is it "where two or three are gathered"? Is it worship and a sermon on Sunday? Does it require structure and leadership?

In The Character of the Church, pastor and author Joe Thorn dispels confusion by describing the five elements of a biblical church. Concise, accessible, and historically informed, it teaches God's design for church so you know what to look for in one—or even how to lead one.

Useful for training in membership classes, discipleship groups, elder boards, and even devotional reading, Thorn's 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 and its essential marks—faithful preaching of God's word, rightly administered sacraments, biblically formed and functioning leadership, grace-filled discipline, and shared mission of the church.

About the Series

This three-book series is designed for diverse readership, avoiding theological jargon and using clear terms to keep readers tracking and engaged. Ideal for evangelism and discipleship, each book can be read within an hour and is organized simply for retention. Biblical, balanced, and historically informed, it is useful for Sunday school, one-to-one reading, ministry training, and personal study.