Stop Dating the Church! Stop Dating the Church!

Putting in their hour or two on the weekend, many Christians take the rest of the week off, neglecting the church and her needs. It's not a serious relationship. Some shop around, looking for a churchthat suits their lifestyle. It's dating, with no assurances, no obligations. Bestselling author Joshua Harris calls Christians to stop playing the field and commit, just as Christ is committed to us, His bride.In his new book, Harris explores the ramifications of Ephesians 5:25-32, which proclaims the intensity and the breadth of Jesus Christ's love for His church. God has designed us to build our livesaround a local church; we cannot be indifferent or uninvolved. Rather, we must be in love with and committed to God's plan and purpose through the church. Are "you "dating the church, or are youcommitted? Are You Dating the Church? We are a generation of consumers, independent and critical. We attend church, but we don't want to settle down and truly invest ourselves. We'renot into commitment -- we only want to "date" the church. Is this what God wants for us? "Stop Dating the Church" reminds us that faith wasnever meant to be a solo pursuit. The church is the place God grows us, encourages us, and uses us best. Loving Jesus Christ involves a passionate commitment to His church -- around the world and down the street. We can't be apathetic. It's time to fall in love with the family of God. Story Behind the Book Like all my books, this one is very closely tiedto my own journey. I've been a church-dater. And I've learned just how good it is to get serious about the church. I want to see my generation get a hold of God's purpose and plan for thelocal church, too. The same month this book is released I'll become the senior pastor of my church. This awesome responsibility is being passed on to me by my mentor, C. J. Mahaney, a pastor who has faithfullyserved for over 26 years. So this book is marking a very important transition in my life. The church isn't some other generation's responsibility--it isn't somebody else'sbusiness. I have to take responsibility. I have to be passionate and committed to it. Through the pages of this book, I'm calling my generation to do the same. "From theHardcover edition."