JourneyOnline
There’s something intriguing about a book that comes with a warning. As I grab hold of this book, the cover warns me of the contents. This is no normal evangelism book. If I am looking for an evangelism book that offers sales pitches and argument techniques, then I should keep looking. But if I am ready for something new and challenging – yet doable – then I am ready for this book.
This is not just a book of theories. Based on his own personal experiences, Brian presents a compelling vision of what he terms “spiritual friendships”, and I can’t help but think I’d much prefer to be a spiritual friend than an evangelist.
A spiritual friend is not a super-spiritual know-it-all, but a close friend who is approachable and safe. A spiritual friend is not obsessed by scoring a ‘conversion’ but is a source of encouragement and help throughout a journey. A spiritual friend realises that God is bigger than human understanding, and that we are all still discovering. A spiritual friend need not be an ultra-extrovert, just a person with a humble heart, who is willing to develop friendships with non-church people.
Brian challenges us to be a new kind of Christian. The kind that includes people, not excludes them. The kind that’s more interested in apologies than apologetics. The kind that is willing to build real relationships with non-Christians. While some of this may sound challenging, Brian – and his real-life examples – provide plenty of encouragement and guidance.
So if you’ve thought spreading the Christian faith was all about being the next Billy Graham – it’s not. It’s just about being a real person, and you actually are “More Ready Than You Realize”.
