What Is the Church and Why Does It Exist? - Paperback

by David Fitch (Author)

What is the church? And why does it exist? These are essential questions for those who seek to follow Jesus in community.

David Fitch delves into the origins of the church, exploring the identity and calling of the body of Christ in scripture and church history. Learn about the Christian practices that shape the church and how our understandings of church might change in light of the life of the church through the centuries. At a time when the church in the US is losing credibility and cultural privilege, Fitch calls us to embrace historic Anabaptism as a model for thriving as God's people in our own time and place.

The Jesus Way: Small Books of Radical Faith delve into big questions about God's work in the world. These concise, practical books are deeply rooted in Anabaptist theology. Crafted by a diverse community of internationally renowned scholars, pastors, and practitioners, The Jesus Way series helps readers deepen their faith in Christ and enliven their witness.

Author Biography

David Fitch is B. R. Lindner Chair of Evangelical Theology at Northern Seminary Chicago, IL. He is also one of the co-founders of Missio Alliance and coaches a network of church plants in the Christian and Missionary Alliance. He is the founding pastor of Life on the Vine Christian Community, a missional church in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, and recently has joined the pastoral staff of a daughter congregation, Peace of Christ Church in Westmont, IL. He writes on the issues the local church must face in mission, including cultural engagement, leadership and theology, and has lectured and presented on these topics at many seminaries, graduate schools, denominational gatherings and conferences. His books include The Church of Us vs. Them and Faithful Presence: Seven Disciplines that Shape the Church for Mission.