"Happy the people whose God is the Lord "-Psalm 144:15
What if the happiness of the community of faith is not a superficial affair or marketing ploy for consumer Christianity? What if God intends happiness to mark and define his people? The happiness of the church is critical to its mission-critical to its ability to participate in to Christ's mission to seek, and to save, and to bring fullness of life. There is no witness to the good news Christians believe so powerful as a community of faith living it out in the world. Happy churches show the world a good and loving God.
Come explore the foundations for a happy church. Learn why the community of faith gathered by Christ is a community of laughter, hope, and joy in the face of suffering. The church is a body filled with song and joyful celebration. Touch base with the promised inheritance of the people of God and reignite the joy in your happy church.
The church's influence on the world depends on its joy. At the core of Christian fellowship is joy in communion with Christ. That means the closer you get to the core of the church the more powerfully you should feel joy in Jesus. "Happy Church" is about equipping Christians to release joy in their churches.
This book is for pastors, elders, deacons, or anybody in church leadership, as well as anyone who cares about the tone in their church. Frankly, it's for anyone who goes to church and thinks about it. These chapters will encourage you to look at your own church with new eyes while being reminded of the purpose of the community of faith established by God. Why do you think God wants his church in the world? Why do you think God gathers communities of worshippers in every city and town? Can you believe that God wants you happy? Can you trust that he intends to make his promises come true and create pockets of happy people in this world, people whose joy serves "his" purposes for "his" glory? Is there a mission for the happy church, and can we be a part of it?
Praise for "Happy Church"
"Churches, just like you and me, can focus on the wrong things and lose joy and wonder. God-who is a joy-lover himself-has given us enormous blessings to make us glad Tim has provided a wonderful tool for churches and leaders to learn to be a happy community glorifying God for all he has done for us " -John Ortberg, author, "Soul-Keeping" and "The Life You've Always Wanted"
"Curmudgeons, beware Happy Church wrests a smile from stress-addled do-ers and incites rampant hope in those grappling with suffering. Scripture provides the melody, and McConnell calls forth voices from his merry band, including Lewis, Chesterton, Piper and Ortberg, irresistibly beckoning the reader into joy. This book is a delight." -Glenn Lucke, Docent Research Group
"The need for happiness in Christ's church is not superficial or sentimental, rather, it is critical for those in the church and for its mission. It is about worship, being the family of God, and love for neighbor." -Justin S. Holcomb, Canon for Vocations, The Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida
"Authentic Christianity is hugely attractive-it is also happy. The church in the West could learn much from our Biblical ancestors-and also our brothers and sisters who worship in less hospitable conditions, yet display a deeply irrepressable vibrancy, life in all its fullness. This book argues the point and is rooted in practice. The Biblical church is enthusiastic, passionate and energetic: a community of people whose encounter with God has made them genuinely happy. This book reflects Pastor McConnell's authentic Christian faith and the happy attitude that characterizes his growing church. Authentic book, authentic pastor, authentic man." -Andrew Alden, Vicar, St. Paul's Church, Weston-super-Mare, UK
