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Challenging the "Leave the Church Movement," Authors Present Biblical Mandate for Sticking Around in New Book
Authors Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck Encourage Christians—and Those Undecided About Their Faith—Not to Give Up on the Church in Why We Love the Church
“Organized” church is taking a beating these days as a recent crop of books aimed at defending a “churchless Christianity” has spawned a “leave the church” mentality among some. In these books, professing Christian men and women tell of disenchantment with the local church and their bold step away from church into what, they would say, is a fuller, more satisfying Christian life. But nothing could be further from the truth, according to authors Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck in their new book, Why We Love the Church: In Praise of Institutions and Organized Religion (Moody Publishers, July 2009).
DeYoung and Kluck say that despite its flaws, loving the church is the answer, not leaving it. Although every congregation has problems, sticking it out for the long-haul is the best way to see the body of Christ work in life-altering ways. Separating the head from the body is in direct opposition of how the Bible describes the Church, and as a body of believers, we are meant to engage in the accountability and discipline that can only be found within the four walls of an organized church congregation.
“According to some, these days, spirituality is hot; religion is not. Community is hip, but the church is lame. Both inside the church and out, organized religion is seen as oppressive, irrelevant, and a waste of time,” say the authors. “But the truth is that Christianity is not whatever we want it to be. It is, whether we like it or not, organized religion. And the church is what gives it its organization, shape, and definition. [The Church] defines truth, shows us the way to live, and tells us the news we must believe if we are to be saved.”
“Don’t give up on the church,” DeYoung and Kluck urge readers. “The New Testament knows nothing of churchless Christianity. The invisible church is for invisible Christians. The visible church is for you and me.”
Kevin DeYoung is the senior pastor at University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan. A graduate of Hope College and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, he serves on the executive team of RCA Integrity, a renewal group within the Reformed Church of America. DeYoung is coauthor of Why We're Not Emergent.
Ted Kluck's work has appeared in ESPN the Magazine, Sports Spectrum Magazine, ESPN.com Page2, and several small literary journals. A bi-monthly column for Sports Spectrum Magazine entitled "Pro and Con" won the Evangelical Press Association award for best standing column in 2003. Additionally, Ted has written two WGA registered screenplays and an award-winning (Damah Film Festival, Sabaoth Film Festival) short film.
Why We Love the Church: In Praise of Institutions and Organized Religion (Moody Publishers, ISBN: 0-8024-5837-8) will be available in bookstores July 1, 2009. Paperback: $14.99.