You may have noticed some new books on the shelves of the welcome desk in the foyer. These are resources we would like to highlight to the congregation for a period of time. 

The theme for these resources is Heaven Help Our Worship: Worship and the Christian Life. They have been selected to fall into five categories. Categories and titles include:  

Theology: The Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer.  

Sanctification: Look and Live by Matt Papa.  

Christian Biography: The Poetic Wonder of Isaac Watts by Douglas Bond.  

Church History/Cultural Evaluation: Worldly Saints by Leland Ryken.  

The Church: Church Planting: Thinking Through Each Step by 9Marks’ Church Matters Journal.  

The purpose of highlighting these resources is simply to put biblically solid, Christ-exalting, affection-fueling resources in the hands of the members at Summit Woods for their personal growth in the Lord, to equip them to do the work of ministry, and for use in discipleship relationships.   

Perhaps you’ve been looking for a new book for yourself to read in your devotional time, or perhaps you’ve been wanting to get together with a brother or sister in the Lord and desire to encourage them in their walk with the Lord – these resources are there to be readily available for you in addition to the books provided in the resource room.   

Today's highlight is: Church Planting: Thinking Through Each Step by 9Marks’ Church Matters Journal. 

From the back cover: 

The world needs more churches because more people need to believe and live out the gospel. That’s why billions of dollars, scores of conferences, and countless books have pushed church planting over the last decades. More than that, many churches have been planted through this emphasis. However, confusion persists around the what’s, when’s, who’s, and how’s of church planting resulting in unhealthy church plants. This issue of Church Matters clarifies how biblical ecclesiology dispels confusion and produces healthy church plants both domestically and around the world. 

From the editor’s note, by Jonathan Leeman: 

Several themes emerge from throughout this volume. Let me mention two. First, church plants and planters are sometimes treated as something other than churches and pastors. They’re not. Plants are churches, planters are pastors. Say it twice if it will help you remember... 

A second theme that emerges throughout this volume is the connection between churches and their plants. Biblically ordered and healthy churches tend to plant biblically ordered and healthy churches. Biblically disordered and unhealthy churches tend to plant the same. That’s not to say you need to wait till your church is in tip top health before planting. It does mean that what your church aspires to will transfer. After all, kids value what their parents value. That means the first step of planting might be to consider your own church’s health. 

We at Pillar, 20Schemes, and 9Marks pray you find this edition of Church Matters edifying and instructive.