Creature of the Word

cotw-banner.jpgI have been honored to team up with Matt Chandler and Josh Patterson on our new book, Creature of the Word. Prayerfully, we believe the book will encourage and challenge church leaders and be a blessing to local churches.

Frankly, many churches have a gospel-centered doctrine without a gospel-centered culture. The Reformers, however, viewed the gospel as not merely one thing among many in the life of a church but rather the means by which the church exists. When the gospel is rightly declared and applied to God’s people, the church becomes “a creature of the Word.” She understands, embraces, and lives out the reality of Christ’s birth, life, death, and resurrection in more than her doctrinal statement. The gospel impacts all the church is and does.
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The first part of the book paints the beautiful picture of a local church centered fully on Jesus. Her worship, community, service, and mission are grounded in who Christ is and what Christ has done. The second part of the book moves to practical implications and challenges in forming a church culture that is centered on Jesus. We address the importance of harmony between theology, philosophy, and practice. We introduce implications for children and student ministries, the pulpit, and other areas of a local church. I really believe the book will be encouraging and helpful.

Here is how you can get involved:

  • The website that directs to a Facebook page about the book is here: www.creatureoftheword.com.
  • You can preorder the book at LifeWay.com.
  • The Village Church is hosting a simulcast event for Creature of the Word designed for churches and church leaders. We think it would be a great staff retreat or development time with your leadership team. The event will be on Tuesday, October 23. More information about the simulcast can be found here.
  • We are also encouraging church leaders to consider joining us for a year-long personal and corporate spiritual audit and renewal that will begin in January 2013. We want the book to be something more than just reading material for professional growth but something that brings about change. We are calling this the “Year of the Word” and will have more information about it via Facebook and Twitter.