Becoming God’s Family:
Why the Church Still Matters
DETAILS:
Publisher: IVP Academic
Publication Date: October 28, 2025
Format: eARC
Length: 256 pg.
Read Date: August 17-31, 2025
What’s Becoming God’s Family About?
This is, to use a phrase from Imes’ Introduction, a love story. It began with a conversation with a friend who was convinced they didn’t need the Church. Imes became convinced that someone needed to make the case that such was not the case. The idea that Christians need the Church—in all of its fallible, messy, disappointing, loving, supportive, worshiping ways.
Imes surveys the Scriptures from Genesis through Revelation, looking at what redemptive history shows us about the Church—how we need it, how it’s grown (and developed—not always in its favor), how we’re called to be part of it (and who that “we’re” is), and what it should do.
My Favorite Chapter
Well, they could all make a strong case for it, honestly—the last two chapters, particularly. But Chapter 6, “Processing Family Trauma,” takes the cake. Now, you may not think if from the title—but this is an encouraging chapter, and probably doesn’t focus on what you think it does.
It’s about communal worship. Singing the Songs of Zion, really. Both those of Lament and those of Praise. Imes talks about these in ways that may not seem intuitive (and probably aren’t, but maybe should be).
They’re about—first, “us” and “we,” a communal activity. The local congregation seeing hardships, challenges, and blessings together. It’s about recognizing the trauma and tragedies and trials that believers have—and are—suffering and how God has kept them from succumbing to them, how He’s been with His people—and therefore will be with them even now. How in a culture with many other options, His people declare His wonders in opposition to the false idols and lures around them.
I’m not doing a great job here, because I’m not going to try to replicate Imes’ work—but I assure you, it’s great.
So, what did I think about Becoming God’s Family?
Is this the most rigorous, robust work that I’ve ever read on The Church? No. Is this the most technical, theological work I’ve come across? No. Did this take a lot of effort to get through? No (and what a relief). Is this perhaps the most passionate work on the subject I’ve read? Yes. Is it perhaps the most persuasive about the need for individual believers (particularly in an individualist culture) to be involved with the Church? Also, yes.
I’ll take those last two any day over the others (not that I have a problem with the others, but…come on). Imes undoubtedly approaches this subject from the perspective of someone in her tradition—or her particular mix of traditions. But I can’t imagine any Protestant or Evangelical finding substantial grounds for disagreement. While I have a tendency to read primarily works in the Continental or Scottish/English Reformed traditions, I’m glad to see something so catholic in nature (particularly when it would fit just fine in my traditions).
I’ve struggled to write this post—I’ve been chipping away at it for two months, and still am not satisfied with it. I keep getting distracted in wanting to respond to her arguments—pointing out a couple of areas I think could’ve been done better, and talking about the ways that she really nailed the discussion. But I’m supposed to be focused on the book and reading experience.
It’s warm, it’s approachable, it’s learned in a non-off-putting way. Imes is a great guide through the topic and a fun companion through the stroll. She pointed out some things I hadn’t thought of before—and helped me grasp a couple of texts that I’ve struggled with for years.
I do think that any discussion of the Church should have more to say about the sacraments than she managed (she did mention them), but I understand how that doesn’t fit into what she’s trying to do and would’ve added controversy and disagreements she didn’t need (I’m fairly certain I’d have critiqued heavily anything she said—so it’s good for me that she didn’t).
The “Digging Deeper” sections she included in each chapter are a great resource, and I’ll be using it for some time to come (I’d previously read some of the works she’d listed there, and if the rest are as profitable, I’ll be well-sated).
Basically, I’m a fan of this and strongly recommend you invest your time and attention (and book-buying money) into it.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from IVP Academic via NetGalley—thanks to both for this. Sorry it’s up late, it’s been a couple of those months.
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