---
title: "The Heart of the Church"
canonical: "https://bibletolife.com/resources/books/the-heart-of-the-church"
markdown: "https://bibletolife.com/resources/books/the-heart-of-the-church.md"
type: "books"
typeTitle: "Books"
authors:
  - "Joe Thorn"
date: "2021-08-18"
updated: "2026-02-18"
topics:
  - "Church Issues"
  - "Church Life"
perspective: "Learn"
bookAuthor: "Joe Thorn"
buyAtMoody: "https://www.moodypublishers.com/the-heart-of-the-church/?utm_source=Bible+to+Life&utm_medium=Button&utm_campaign=Bible+To+Life+Generic"
buyAtAmazon: "https://amzn.to/43jOx1K"
buyAtChristianBook: "https://www.christianbook.com/heart-church-gospels-history-message-meaning/joe-thorn/9780802414700/pd/414700"
---

# The Heart of the Church

> The gospel defines the church's essential identity and mission. This theological yet practical guide examines core doctrines and God's work in salvation, helping churches and believers return to what matters most.

**Type:** Books  
**Published:** August 18, 2021  
**Authors:** [Joe Thorn](https://bibletolife.com/resources/authors/joe-thorn)  
**Topics:** [Church Issues](https://bibletolife.com/resources/topics/church-issues), [Church Life](https://bibletolife.com/resources/topics/church-life)  
**Perspective:** Learn

[Buy at Moody Publishers](https://www.moodypublishers.com/the-heart-of-the-church/?utm_source=Bible+to+Life&utm_medium=Button&utm_campaign=Bible+To+Life+Generic) · [Buy at Amazon](https://amzn.to/43jOx1K) · [Buy at Christianbook](https://www.christianbook.com/heart-church-gospels-history-message-meaning/joe-thorn/9780802414700/pd/414700)

What does the church believe?

Every church has a driving confession, but what is the confession of a true and biblical church?

The Heart of the Church answers with the gospel. It explains the story of the gospel, its basic doctrines, and God's work in salvation. Fresh yet consistent with classic expressions, it helps churches reclaim their essential identity and return from distracting pursuits.

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.

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. For any church lacking power, any Christian feeling dry, or any person seeking truth, The Heart of the Church brings relief, direction, and light, leading to worship.