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Latest Issue August 2003
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THE
CHURCH AT WORK
by
Brian Gunning |
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| 184pp.
Published by Gospel Folio Press, P.O. Box 2041, Grand Rapids, MI
49501 -2041. Available from John Ritchie Ltd., 40 Beansburn,
Kilmarnock KA3 1RH. (ISBN 1-882701-62- 3) |
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| This
challenging book provides a timely reminder that we are ‘saved
to serve’, and that work for God in the context of the
church should be regarded as the very fabric of our lives.
God never intended His church to be an institution where
membership is the ‘be-all- and-end-all’ for those
wishing to join - a social group where tacit acceptance of
an imposed set of regulations is all that is required of
participants. It would appear that many believers see it
this way, and the consequences are all too apparent. Brian
Gunning's book evolved from a series of articles published
over a three and a half year period in Uplook magazine.
Each of the articles makes up a chapter of the book; there are
forty chapters in all, each headed by thought-provoking
quotes taken from the Scriptures, and other sources (both
theological and secular!). Virtually, every aspect of church
life is considered, and no punches are pulled as the author
states the scriptural position that members of the church
must accept. Contentious issues such as the roles of men and
women, or the case for democratic rule in the church (‘one
man, one vote'; 'power politics') are confronted head-on.
Throughout the book there is abundance of plain statements
that could be regarded by some as provocative, but by
others as ‘home-truths’ needing to be restated. Much
stress is placed on unity in the local church, and in a review
of assembly meetings the author deals with the obligation
thrust upon all members of the church to exercise whatever
spiritual gifts are granted to them in effective fulfillment of
the Lord's work. Difficulties, and problems that are likely
to arise, are given mention (even the vexed matter of
presumptuous participation by the ungifted in public meetings is
included) with acknowledgement that those activities that
mark out the church as entirely distinctive are likely to
allow for such unwelcome incursions. Such matters must be dealt
with scripturally, wisely and in love. Lest the foregoing
comments give an impression that the book is a long
catalogue of veiled criticisms, and censure, regarding the state
of our churches let me hasten to dispel that impression. In
fact, this book is inspirational as well as challenging. It
presents to us a vision of the church vibrant with life,
responsive to the dictates of its Lord and with all of its
members utterly dedicated in life-long service to Him. It
acclaims the uniqueness of our role in a day of grace and
boundless opportunity – saints of other ages might well
consider us to be the most privileged of all.
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