Spiritual Disciplines Within the Church

'You're worth it.' 'You deserve a break today.' 'Do something nice for
yourself.' Commonly heard phrases in this society committed to self-gratification
and individual rights. Doing things for other people is a waste of precious time,
and asking for help, weak. So how do we build the church described in the Scriptures?
In this day and age, how can we be a genuine community based on self-sacrifice
and mutual commitment? In Spiritual Disciplines Within the Church, seminary professor,
author, and former pastor Don Whitney shows us how to build a sense of community
and be active participants instead of passive attendees. Whitney looks at such frequently
asked questions as: Why can't I get by on my own? Why should I go to church? Why
should I give of myself to the church? Why do I need to worship in church? Couldn't
I just worship in nature? Why does it matter whether I become a member of the church?Committed
love must mark the local expression of the body of Christ. By putting spiritual
disciplines into practice in the church, congregations can return to the depth of
community present in the New Testament church, where they 'devoted themselves to
the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.'