Going to Church

A Users Guide

by John Pritchard

I found this a most stimulating and enjoyable book (its closing word is “Enjoy”!), written with the author’s characteristic clarity and humour. I suspect you wouldn’t need Chapter 6 – “Ten things to do in a boring sermon” - if he was the preacher!
What is the Church for (worship, mission, community and ‘restoring the sacred centre’)?
What is it not for (entertainment, escape capsule, club for ‘religious anoraks’, or religious health spa)?
What could it be when defined by values rather than structures? John Pritchard sets out to be “honest about the problems, but confident about the value”.
For all its many shortcomings, the Church is “alive, well and busy”. It is “a flawed but wonderful band of pilgrims, worshipping, serving and having fun in the light of God’s love”. Why go to church? Turn to Page 118 for the bishop’s answer.
This book will certainly make you think, whether you are a church attendee or not. Try reading it in a group, and talking it over with the help of the questions listed at the end of each chapter.



Reviewer: Barry Vendy   (03/07/09)

Paperback
Price: £8.99
Publisher:SPCK (Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge)
Published:21 May 2009
ISBN:978-0-281-05810-5