The Normal Christian Church Life

Watchman Nee’s exposition in this book presents many extrinsic things—such as the offices in the church, finances, meeting places, etc...—but always connects them to the intrinsic things—the oneness in the Body, the principles of the Body, etc...—that takes center-place in his ministry as a whole. I was very enlightened to see how the physical manifestation of the Body of Christ in the local churches should be carried out according to the revelation that is found in the Scriptures (another staple of Watchman Nee’s ministry).

I'd recommend this book to anyone who is interested in cross cultural ministry, church planting, full time ministry, or someone genuinely seeking to walk out being "the body of christ."

This book highlights some glaring false aspects of Christianity today in a humble and honest way. It is not accusative, as much as, it is contrasting and differentiating with scripture the roles and functions of Apostles, Elders, and the Saints with "the work" and "the local church" as depicted throughout acts and the Pauline epistles, versus today's Clergy and passive listener oriented church services.

I personally found the clarity in the defining of apostleship and the "formula" for apostolic ministry very helpful and more scripturally sensible than what is explained in some of today's denominations definitions.

The very clear, but also glossed over concept that every church in the New Testament was distinguished only by it's city compared to today's innumerable sects and denominations is very sobering and honest. It's a lot to process and digest, but foolish to ignore the realities of what is being highlighted of today's church.