Looking for a church – or wondering why Church matters?
Devoted Together invites readers into a deeper understanding of God’s design for the local church. Brandon Langley explores biblical foundations, clears cultural confusion, and outlines a thoughtful path for finding and joining a faithful congregation. With Scripture-rich teaching and practical wisdom, this book serves both church seekers and church leaders complete with discussion guides, its ideal for membership classes or discipleship settings. Discover why the local church is not a product to consume – but a people to join.
About the author
Brandon Langley
Brandon Langley is the lead pastor of St. Rose Community Church, which he helped plant in the New Orleans Metro Area in 2016. He also serves at The Pillar Network helping fulfill the mission of planting, revitalizing, and equipping local churches. Brandon holds a Master of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry in Applied Theology from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Endorsements
Alex Duke, Editorial Director, 9Marks
If I wanted to defend church membership to a confused or skeptical church member, I would first start by opening my Bible. But if that failed—and, for some reason, it often does—then this book is one of the first resources I would turn to next. It’s easy-to-read, pastorally insightful, and covers a lot of ground.
Nate Akin, Executive Director, The Pillar Network
Devoted Together is the kind of resource every local church needs in their hands. It is biblically rooted, pastorally wise, and missionally urgent. In a church landscape often shaped more by consumer preference than covenant commitment, Brandon Langley brings clarity and conviction to what it means to truly belong to a local body. This book will serve both churches looking to develop a healthy membership process and individuals eager to join a church in a meaningful, biblically faithful way. I’m grateful for this contribution and commend it wholeheartedly to churches seeking to cultivate gospel culture through clarity, doctrine, and discipleship.
George Ross, South Region Director, North American Mission Board
Brandon Langley is a gifted writer and faithful shepherd. He is also a dear friend and co-laborer, whom I’ve had the privilege of watching serve the church faithfully for many years in New Orleans. Devoted Together is a labor of love and conviction put on paper. With biblical clarity, pastoral care, and practical insight, Brandon unpacks what it truly means to join a local church. Readers will be challenged by this Scripture-saturated resource that powerfully communicates the essential nature of church membership. Brandon has done a remarkable job of making this work practical and immediately useful. Whether you’re a new believer trying to find a healthy church, a mature Christian re-evaluating the meaning of membership, or a pastor seeking a resource to walk people through the membership process, Devoted Together will serve you well. Christ is glorified through this good and faithful work.
Phil Newton, Director of Pastoral Care and Counseling, The Pillar Network
Some people approach church membership haphazardly. They like a few things about a church: location, singing, programs, good nursery. But they may pay little attention to the aspects that deeply matter. In Devoted Together, Pastor Brandon Langley helps the reader to think wisely about the local church. With a dual aim to assist someone searching for a church and to provide a manual for new church members, he winsomely and pastorally helps the reader to make wise decisions in joining a church. Read this book to understand why church membership is an essential aspect of healthy Christian living. Better, read it with a friend who’s considering church membership. With biblical explanation, practical applications, and discussion questions, churches will find Devoted Together to be an effective tool for training church members.
David King, Senior Pastor, Concord Baptist Church
It’s likely that a book like this has always been needed, but never more so. In a day when people engage the church much like a gym membership, Devoted Together provides a biblical orientation to God’s design for the local church. What is a church? What should you look for in one? Why should you join? What would be your responsibilities as a member? Langley answers one practical question after another, all in a simple and engaging way. Whether you’re a curious unbeliever, a new Christian, or even a seasoned church member, this is one of those books you may not know you needed. But now you know!
Cory Barnes, Dean of Graduate Studies, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Deciding which church you will join is one of the most consequential decisions you will ever make. Brandon Langley helps guide us through this decision in Devoted Together. There are a lot of bad reasons to choose a church. Langley helps us find the right ones by showing us in a direct and clear way what the Bible reveals about the church and church membership. I am convinced that this book will help Christians better navigate seeking and serving the church for God’s glory.
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