Broken but Beautiful

Where is God’s glory in the local church? Broken but Beautiful brings brief reflections on the blessings of the local church.

Edited by Benjamin Vrbicek, this book is a project from Gospel-Centered Discipleship, with contributions by Timarie Friesen, Glenna Marshall, Tom Sugimura, Jeremy Writebol, and more. Their short stories are testimonies of God’s goodness to His people through His people.

God Loves His Church

Benjamin Vrbicek begins the book by saying that while some have been disappointed and hurt, we can place our hope in the God who loves His church.

Glenna Marshall starts the book with an example of how the body of Christ functions like a family that loves each other in practical, tangible ways. Every person has a part to play in the body of Christ. Timarie Friesen likens the local church to a sandbox, saying that it is where we get to reflect and grow to resemble Jesus. The Holy Spirit uses the church for our sanctification.

Alive, Well, and Waiting

Tom Sugimura tells of a church closing—folding for another to take over—and the start of something new. He links the process of church revitalization to the resurrection of Christ, reminding us that death is not the end.

Jeremy Writebol closes the book by saying that the church is still needed today. Broken but Beautiful is proof that the local church is not at all lost. She is alive and well, waiting for the Lord’s return.


I received a media copy of Broken but Beautiful and this is my honest review. Find more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life. To read all of my book reviews and to receive all of the free eBooks I find on the web, subscribe to my free newsletter.