The church is the oldest surviving institution in the history of the world. It has changed lives and shaped nations, and it has been loved, hated and ignored in equal measure. But what is the church, and why does it matter to understand its purpose in the world?

Mark Johnston answers those questions and shows why the church matters considerably more than most people assume. Each title in the Banner Mini-Guides series outlines the Bible's teaching on a particular subject, opening up a key verse or portion of Scripture for study. Short, inexpensive, and well suited to a new members' class or a bookstall.