Biblically Functioning Church: A Practical Guide to Biblical Church Polity

Description:

A theological and practical guide to ecclesiology covering elders and deacons, the complementary roles of men and women, the proper understanding of spiritual gifts, and the active responsibility of the congregation in ministry and generosity.

Brief description: Keith Foskey is a pastor, theologian, and humorist based in Jacksonville, Florida. He serves as the pastor of Sovereign Grace Family Church and is the founder of Sovereign Grace Academy, where he teaches courses in systematic theology, church history, and biblical studies. Keith is the host of Your Calvinist Podcast and is known for blending careful theological instruction and thoughtful cultural engagement, often with a comedic twist. His teaching ministry focuses on the authority of Scripture, the doctrines of grace, and the importance of a biblically ordered church. He and his wife, Jennifer, have been married since 1999 and have six children.

Review Quotes:

Most people know Keith Foskey for his humor. He's quick with a line, sharp with wit, and doesn't take himself too seriously. But when he steps into the pulpit, something shifts. The humor gives way to gravity. The personality gives way to Scripture. And what you encounter is a man who takes the Word of God with utmost seriousness. That same seriousness runs through every page of A Biblically Functioning Church. This is not light reading, but it is necessary reading. Foskey is not trying to impress you with clever ideas about how to run a church. He is pressing the church to submit to what God has already said. This book is not written to flatter the modern church. It is written to strengthen her. If you care about the long-term health of Christ's Church, not just her short-term growth, this book will both steady you and challenge you in the right ways.

'A BIBLICALLY FUNCTIONING CHURCH' is a must read for both the seasoned believer and for the new believer alike. In this work Dr. Foskey brings to bear the weight and the significance of the local church. As well, we find that he lays out the Biblical model for local church practice and polity in a way that is unique to Keith's many years of experience as the pastor of Sovereign Grace Family Church. From the first sentence to the last word, this book is a treasure chest full of gold that is mined from the Scriptures themselves.

Ready to give up the gimmicks and fads we were all taught would help us grow our churches? Ready to see how Christ instead will grow His church?. Dr. Foskey delivers a no-nonsense guide that cuts through the noise to explain exactly how leadership and membership should work. This is the practical wake-up call you need if you're tired of trends and hungry for a healthy, biblical assembly. Read this book and learn how to build a church that truly honors Jesus.

My friend Keith Foskey and I have an interesting relationship to say the least. We have had public debates against each other on baptism and other topics. He thinks Reformed Baptists are top-notch, and I think Presbyterians have the "superior theology." Deep down, I often wonder if Keith really wishes he were a Presbyterian because he likes to pretend he is one! But in this book, Keith has done a marvelous job articulating the things we largely agree on. This book about the governing structure of the church was a delight for me to read, because in each chapter, I kept cheering on my former debate opponent as he described healthy, well-functioning churches. Read this book, and reform according to its wisdom, and your church will be stronger for having done so!