The first in Joe Thorn's three-book series on the confession, nature, and expression of the Church, The Heart of the Church explores the center of the Church's life and identity: the gospel.

Useful for training in membership classes, discipleship groups, and elder boards—and even for devotional reading—The Heart of the Church is at once theological, practical, and experiential. Readers will not simply be informed, but led to believe in, rejoice in, and be transformed by the truth of God for his gathered people.

Drawing from Scripture, church history, and theology, Thorn portrays the gospel in all its kaleidoscopic glory. He expounds its:

• Contents—the basic message of Scripture culminating in Jesus
• Details and definitions—the moving parts of the gospel truth
• Practical implications—the basic marks of every gospel believer

Without the gospel, the church does not exist. This book is Thorn's full and detailed exploration of the message that is indispensable to the church's life and identity.