Total Church

 "Total Church: A Radical Reshaping around Gospel and Community"  is the best book I've read on doing, and being, "church" (ecclesiology).  It covers a perspective that many of us would recognize as a Biblical emphasis on the real, local expression of Church life.  I Think its a good read for all Christians and It may be especially helpful for leaders of churches and small groups. Here is a paragraph from the introduction:

Alan is the leader of a small Baptist church. He moved to lead his suburban congregation five years ago after several years of working in industry and three years of studying in a theological college.  He has seen a number of people join the church, but not as many as he had hoped.  They have a thriving mothers-and-toddlers' group, a solid youth work program, and an accomplished music group.  And yet Alan can't help feeling that the church is only scratching the surface. Truth be told, it feels as if ministry has become a production line: churning out sermons, putting on events, trying to generate another wave of enthusiasm for evangelism. If only there was another way of doing church.

The introduction sets forth a few familiar scenarios which lead the reader through a review of some of our presuppositions and possible misconceptions on church life.  The authors are interested in helping Christians understand the biblical emphasis upon "gospel" and "community" at the center of their christian identity. I reckon it is filled with very helpful, biblical, thinking. Let me know what you think of it.