Creature of the Word: The Jesus-Centered Church

Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. Want to Read saving…. Want to Read Currently Reading Read. Refresh and try again. Open Preview See a Problem? Thanks for telling us about the problem. Return to Book Page. Preview — Creature of the Word by Matt Chandler. Creature of the Word: The Reformers 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.

The gospel impacts all the church is and does. Creature of the Word lays out this concept in full, first examining the rich, scripture-based beauty of a Jesus-centered church, then clearly providing practical steps toward forming a Jesus-centered church. Authors Matt Chandler, Eric Geiger, and Josh Patterson write what will become a center- ing discussion piece for those whose goal is to be part of a church that has its theology, culture, and practice completely saturated in the gospel.

Paperback , pages. Published October 1st by B Books first published September 5th To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. To ask other readers questions about Creature of the Word , please sign up.

Creature of the Word: The Jesus-Centered Church

Lists with This Book. Oct 09, Brenda rated it liked it Shelves: This book had some good food for thought about the modern church. It is probably best suited for those in leadership roles, but I still benefited from it. I listened to an audio version but think I would have done better with a print copy.

Jan 22, Ruth Hill rated it really liked it Shelves: I always enjoy books that take Christian themes and look at things in a bit of a unique way. This book does just that. The reader is taken on a journey through how the church was supposed to be biblically, how it has lost its focus over time, and how it can become what God intended. The three authors seamlessly present their perspective, and it is fully backed by Scripture. This book is divided into two parts, and the first part truly spoke to me. It was relatable and completely spoke to the aver I always enjoy books that take Christian themes and look at things in a bit of a unique way.

It was relatable and completely spoke to the average Christian in the church today. Though minor, my complaint involved the second part of the book. I felt as though this section addressed the church leadership, and I found little that I could glean practically for me as the church laity.

Don't get me wrong. I was still impressed with the writing, but I became bored as I could not readily apply it to me. Additionally, there were a few points in the book that assumed I knew something I did not. However, I do tend to have atypical ideas and experiences. I wish that the book had been split into two books rather than trying to make this a one book fits all, but the book still made its points reasonably well.

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Oct 20, Carrie Daws rated it really liked it Shelves: Definitely a good read for those who lead in church or ministry. The authors do a great job of turning readers to the critical view that if everything in and of the church isn't about Jesus, we're wasting our time and efforts. They cover various aspects of the church, from services to programs to administration, and include excellent questions and tips to consider as ministry and church leaders consider the impact they are having versus the impact they want or should want to have.

While it was Definitely a good read for those who lead in church or ministry. While it was written from a pastor or church leadership viewpoint, much of it can easily be adapted to ministry leaders within and outside of the church. Nov 03, Jen rated it it was amazing. Readable and necessary for church leaders to grow in shared vision. As a church member, I also found it valuable and echoing what I'm asking God to do in women's ministry. Jan 03, Adam rated it it was amazing. This is my favorite book on the nature of the church: The three authors are addicted to the gospel of Jesus Christ believing that everything the church is about must be rooted in the life, death and resurrection of Christ.

The insights the authors give on the subject are refreshing as I believe they are lost on many churches today. They show how every aspect of church life can be based on the gospel. They even outline how the children ministry must be This is my favorite book on the nature of the church: They even outline how the children ministry must be gospel-centered. The gospel is not a one time thing that we believe, but then forget about or don't teach about. No, the gospel must be the foundation, motivation and culmination of everything the church does. The authors capture this beautifully throughout the book.

Nov 20, Tyler Clarensau rated it it was amazing Shelves: This might be the best book I've ever read on how to be a Biblical church. If you were to read only the Bible and this book, you would get a fairly balanced overview of what the Church should look like and how it should operate.

Church Campaign

I'm surprised at how many topics are covered well in such an easy read. You can tell that Chandler, Patterson, and Geiger are not just throwing out ideals, but telling the story that their local churches are living out. This is a book that every church leader should get This might be the best book I've ever read on how to be a Biblical church. This is a book that every church leader should get their hands on. Jan 03, Matthew Shedd rated it it was amazing. This book is a must read for pastors, elders, and deacons alike.

Creature of the Word: The Jesus-Centered Church

Chandler does an excellent job of reminding his fellow leaders that even the right actions, if not rooted in and formed by the gospel will find themselves faltering to produce true life change. Jul 19, Ashley rated it liked it Shelves: I actually was only expected to read the first five chapters of this book. I tried to read more, but the rest didn't seem very relevant to me and I have lots of other things to read!

So I only read part of it. Mar 03, Joshua Woodlief rated it it was amazing. Anyone planting a gospel centered church should read this book!!!

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It was an amazing help to me in terms of seeing how the gospel relates to every aspect of church! Sep 10, Emmeline rated it it was amazing Shelves: This was a really wonderful, helpful, and insightful book. Highlighting the idea that the Gospel should be present in all aspects of a Christian life, it really forced me to wonder how the Gospel is present in my own life.

I read this book to learn more about the music ministry, but it ended up teaching me about every aspect of ministry. I'll definitely be rereading this one at some point in the future! Nov 07, Steve Johnson rated it liked it. Sep 25, Faye rated it really liked it. Though written with ministry leaders in mind this is a great book for any church member. It talks about keeping Jesus Christ the focus of our ministry, and not getting side tracked by other things, that while good things, are not the gospel.

This was an amazing book! I'd recommend this book literally to anybody to both church leaders as well as any Christian who wants to understand and love the church like Jesus does! Nice job the the authors! Jun 19, Matt rated it liked it Shelves: Decent book, good stuff, not really a page turner Jul 15, Rod rated it it was amazing. My new favorite from Chandler. Chapter after chapter of practical and challenging meat for the layman and the pastorate. Aug 24, Daunavan Buyer rated it it was amazing Shelves: Creature of the word is a fantastic book. The authors look in depth at many different aspects of the church culture and ask the question: What does this look like with a focus on gospel centeredness?

From children's ministry to Sunday services, to the flower committees, a lot is evaluated and commented on. What I like about this book is two fold. This book does not see the authors negatively critiquing the church and saying that all Churches are wrong because of ho Creature of the word is a fantastic book. This book does not see the authors negatively critiquing the church and saying that all Churches are wrong because of how they are operating.

This book comes from men who, you can tell, deeply love The Church both local and global 2 It's great for lay-leaders and pastors. Many books of this sort seem to be written for pastors only and often offer little to those in lay leadership or other volunteer positions within churches. This book speaks to both, pastors and lay leaders in an accessible, practical, and Christ-Centered way. Jan 09, Eddie Williams rated it liked it Shelves: Creature of the Word is a very basic and foundational overview of the church and how it should behave through the lens of Jesus This one doesn't go very deep, but it does have some valuable information, particularly for new believers or students.

Seasoned readers won't find much new here. I hope that this work will devotionally impact the whole people of God and increase our intimacy with our God. The Bible has been referred to as the "Him Book" because it's all about Him. In Creature of the Word, we will be challenged to keep everything Jesus centered. This commitment always leads us into His work. Godly leaders from my generation have prayed and deeply desired for a new generation of church leaders to lead His bride well.

Works like Creature of the Word are an answer to our prayers. I am excited and hopeful for the local church after reading the encouragement and challenges Matt, Josh, and Eric offer. What an incredible book by three incredible leaders! I look for five things when reading a book: This book by Chandler, Patterson, and Geiger scores highly on all counts. Whatever your role or place among the people of God, do not hesitate to pick up this book and be refreshed by the insights, observations, and challenges you'll find here.

But primarily, the fresh encouragement to us to focus on, and be all about, Jesus. Creature of the Word excites me because I know the result of churches centering themselves on Jesus, and His redemptive mission will result in God's people engaging in kingdom work. Church leaders and staff teams should read and discuss this book in community. Creature of the Word paints a compelling and exciting picture of what a church can be under the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Matt, Josh, and Eric offer sound and practical insight that will encourage and chal- lenge church leaders. How refreshing it is in a model-driven church world to read the call to all to be a Jesus-centered church! This alone makes me want to shout! The Creature of the Word Church Campaign is a year-long movement of examination and growth.

The hope is for churches to become more centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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Broken into 12 parts, each corresponding to a chapter in Creature of the Word, the campaign is designed to help churches audit and assess their various ministries, from preschool to the pulpit, in order to be saturated with the Word of God in all that they do. It won't be an easy process because we all have challenges and struggles, but we urge you to open up your life and ministry for evaluation this coming year. To take part in the campaign, which last all throughout , we invite you to work through our monthly assessments and join the conversation on our Facebook page.

The church has grown from people to more than 10, with campuses in Flower Mound, Dallas, Denton, and coming soon Fort Worth. Matt is also president of Acts 29, a worldwide church-planting organization with more than churches in the U.

His greatest joy outside of Jesus is being married to Lauren and being a dad to their three children, Audrey, Reid and Norah. Eric received his doctorate in leadership and church ministry from Southern Seminary. He is also a teaching pastor and a frequent speaker and consultant on church mission and strategy. Eric has authored or co-authored several books including the best-selling church leadership book, Simple Church. He is married to Kaye, and they have two daughters, Eden and Evie.