A Place to Belong: Learning to Love the Local Church

This book builds an excellent case for God’s plan for the church your involvement in it. Chapters are short and very digestible, without too much heady theology. A good read for new and old Christians alike.

The chapter, Body, ended with a firm exhortation, "Come, take your place." "Was this the first?", I thought. Then looking at the end of the previous four chapters (and Introduction), there they were, quiet & gentle invitations to engage, "Come...", echoing Jesus, as described by John, to the first disciples, "Come and see...".Megan Hill diligently crafts excellent presentations of different aspects of church life in 'a place to belong'. Like a Master Sailmaker, her stitching of truth and credibility into the "ordinary" warp and woof in the life of the church unfurls new sails, familiar, but fresh, strong, and ready to fill with the pneuma of the Spirit. Her gospel-grace writing style is infused with hope, and calls for a participation with, 'on earth, as it is in heaven'.Come and see, the Spirit of Christ, in 'a place to belong'.

What do cleaning church bathrooms, visiting widows, and sitting in the same pew each Sunday have to do with eternity? Read "A Place to Belong: Learning to Love the Local Church" by Megan Hill. This book is a breath of fresh air in an age when churches are seeking to replicate the methods of the fast-rising, celebrity-driven megachurches. Megan shows the lasting, eternal value of Spirit-filled churches who, though their music be imperfect, people quirky, and aesthetics dated, are empowered by God to equip believers and reach the lost. This book is a primer for what the church is and how it should be investing its time and resources. It is perfect for newer believers to be taught the basics of ecclesiology (the study of the church) while substantial enough for mature believers to be reminded and encouraged of the church mission and power. Great read!

Megan Hill, a pastor’s daughter, who became a pastor’s wife, embraces the local church with zeal and joy and wants others to do the same.The Bible is filled with teaching about the unique beauty of the local church and the duties of her members. Hill points us to these Scriptures in every chapter of her book, and reminds us that in spite of it’s often unimpressive exterior, the church is Christ’s beloved bride, called to be His, created for worship, under the care of shepherds, gifted to serve, set-apart and made holy, part of a family, with a job to do that will lead into eternity with all of God’s people.As she unpacks the biblical duties and privileges of church membership and life among Christ’s body, she makes it practical by telling about her own varied experiences in the local church. With her colorfully crafted stories I could hear the sweet singing of the saints during worship, feel the affection of brothers and sisters loving and caring for one another, and smell the food at the church fellowship meal.

This is my 3rd book to read by Megan Hill. I appreciate her personal touches while communicating sound truth that’s easy to understand but encourages you to grow. This book would be a tremendous tool to read with a new Christian or someone who has not thought much about what the church really is and how the church is a gift from God.

This book is a keeper. It really gets to the fact that Churches are gifts and the people in them. Take advantage of the Church as a major resource that God has provided to us all.

I grew up loving the local church, and I still love it as a pastor’s wife who is fully involved in the body of Christ. Megan Hill’s book made me love it even more as she showed so beautifully how God blesses us extraordinarily through such a seemingly ordinary institution.

What an amazing book. I recently went through some hard things with my church and left a few months ago. Each chapter made me weep for what I had lost in the local church and LONG to quickly find a new church. Very rich truths.