Best Books on The Church
Ecclesiology is the study of what the church is and how it should function under Christ, its head. From a Reformed perspective, the church is the covenant community of the redeemed, marked by the pure preaching of the Word, right administration of the sacraments, and faithful discipline, governed by biblically qualified elders and deacons. It exists to worship God, build up believers, and carry out the Great Commission.
Start Here
basic
The Church: The Gospel Made Visible
Top pickMark Dever · 2012
A short, readable primer explaining what the Bible says the church is and why it matters.
Church Membership: How the World Knows Who Represents Jesus
Jonathan Leeman · 2012
Makes the biblical case for formal church membership in plain, practical terms.
What Is a Healthy Church Member?
Thabiti M. Anyabwile · 2008
A pocket-sized guide for new believers on what faithful church membership looks like day to day.
What Is a Healthy Church?
Mark Dever · 2007
Dever's shortest, most accessible statement of the marks of a healthy congregation.
The Living Church: Convictions of a Lifelong Pastor
John Stott · 2011
A veteran pastor's warm, pastoral summary of what makes a church truly alive.
Go Deeper
intermediate
Nine Marks of a Healthy Church
Top pickMark Dever · 2021
The fuller, standard treatment of the nine marks framework used across the 9Marks ministry.
The Church
Edmund P. Clowney · 1995
A concise Reformed theology of the church from a former Westminster Seminary president.
The Glorious Body of Christ
R. B. Kuiper · 1967
A Banner of Truth classic covering the church's unity, marks, offices, and mission in depth.
The Compelling Community: Where God's Power Makes a Church Attractive
Mark Dever and Jamie Dunlop · 2015
Explores what genuine, gospel-shaped fellowship in a local church should look like.
What Is the Mission of the Church? Making Sense of Social Justice, Shalom, and the Great Commission
Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert · 2011
Clarifies the church's mission against confusion over social justice and the Great Commission.
For Study
advanced
Sojourners and Strangers: The Doctrine of the Church
Top pickGregg R. Allison · 2012
A comprehensive scholarly ecclesiology covering identity, offices, ordinances, and ministry.
The Church of Christ
James Bannerman · 1869
A 19th century Presbyterian classic, an exhaustive treatise on church power, government, and order.
People and Place: A Covenant Ecclesiology
Michael S. Horton · 2008
An award-winning covenantal theology of the church, capping Horton's dogmatics series.
A Treatise on Church Order
John L. Dagg · 2006
A rigorous 19th century Baptist classic on church polity, discipline, and government.
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A tiered reading guide of the best books on The Church.