Proclaimer Blog
Like a Fish Out of Water… [Summer Wives Conference]
Last week I spent 4 days at Hothorpe Hall at the PT Summer Wives Conference. [The annual residential PT for wives who have done 7 years or less in ministry]
Driving up from the centre of London I was daunted by thoughts of what this mysterious world would turn out to be like. 80 plus minister’s wives, a detailed programme containing both teaching, seminars, prayer groups and free time, as well as the presence of a handful of babies. I was fully aware that I was not in Kansas anymore. It was the great unknown and the temptation to do a U-Turn at Watford grew and grew with every painstaking mile in London traffic.
However, I soon discovered that the recesses of my imagination were far more warped than the reality itself. The four days were an absolute delight and though I was a cuckoo interloping on this conference nest, I learnt many wonderful things.
The teaching was great. Phil Sudell teaching through the life of Elijah from 1 Kings and Leonie Poole on 1 Timothy really encouraged, trained, rebuked and comforted in equal measure. The teaching alone was a joy to sit under.
The fellowship was rich and deepening, chatting to these dear women and learning about their contexts and ministries has been heart warming and greatly encouraging. These women do remarkable jobs in the midst of pressured and demanding home and church lives. They willingly share their husband’s time, energy and emotional capacity with others.
I think I have grown, through this conference, in massive admiration for my wife and wives in general who willingly walk this often lonely and unseen path. Throughout the conference I loved seeing relationships form and flourish, a place that women can share openly and honestly with others who get it, connecting with others who also see behind the curtain of pastoral ministry and there is a vulnerability that I found inspiring.
There are a great team of older ladies who do a wonderful job listening, encouraging, and praying for these younger wives, their service and efforts for the others is phenomenal. It is exciting, a rich blend of different people working in different denominations and contexts, sharing together about all they have in the Lord Jesus and the particular roles to which they have been called.
If you are reading this as a pastor in ministry, or someone training for ministry then here is my top tip. Send your wife to this conference or a conference like this. It will do them the world of good, and reciprocally your ministry together will be richer as a result.
Proclaimer Blog
Get it – With Him (Ken Smith)
In this very readable little book, Ken Smith seeks to convince his readers of the virtues and indeed the importance of discipleship. It is ideally suited for pastors and ministers, though it’s message is relevant to a wider audience, such as older mature Christians who could take younger Christians under their wing.
After quoting an opening poem, a note to the reader reminds us that the Bible talks in principles, and that the principles apply to both sexes and so that “while the accent [of this book] may seem to fall heavily on men, the principles are usually applicable to both sexes”. Therefore though this book is geared towards men it’s overarching message is applicable to those without a Y chromosome.
There is much to admire in this short book. Smith goes a long way to convincing us as to why we should want to take part in Biblical discipleship using many Biblical examples of where this can be seen. He also uses contemporary examples, several from his many years in pastoral ministry. [Ken serves as Pastor of Syracuse Reformed Prebyterian Church and is known in part for how God used him to play in the conversion of Rosaria Butterfield.]
Having done this Ken suggests where we can find suitable men to be discipled. Smith does not ignore the difficulties of this and how so often our culture does not make this easy but he does talk practically on what we can do to combat this. Smith also states the importance of training our pastors themselves in discipleship, something that he says shouldn’t be taken for granted. He then moves on to give us a sort of quick start guide to discipleship.
If you are looking for a comprehensive guide to discipling others then this is not the book for you. If, however you want a quick read that will inspire you to start the process of discipling a younger Christian with a few helpful hints of how to start then this book would be an excellent place to start. A quick, worthwhile and inspiring read.
– Ben Burge
Proclaimer Blog
Simply Brilliant – Freedom Movement (Mike Reeves)
“Failing, broken people are not loved because they are attractive, they are attractive because they are loved.” This, says Mike Reeves is the central rediscovery made by Martin Luther, five hundred years ago. And it retains its power to brighten lives today.
In the 500th year since Luther nailed the 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church of Wittenburg, many churches and movements are rightly celebrating a moment of Gospel rediscovery. But among the general public, awareness of this seminal period in European History remains low.
I clearly remember a game of charades at university where “The Reformation” came up as a clue, to blank faces all round. This is an open door evangelistically speaking. It’s the history teacher’s Narnia; an opportunity to discuss the heart of the Christian faith, while ostensibly talking about German History!
That’s why what Mike Reeves does in Freedom Movement is so timely. Taking advantage of the anniversary, he presents the key idea of the reformation and the impact it has made in the lives of people ever since. This really isn’t a gospel primer so much as a gospel taster. Reeves gives us a tiny window into the wonderful news of the gospel. Then he illustrates the joy of this through the lives of those it transformed. In the lives of Bunyan, Bach, Wilberforce, and others, Mike shows how the joy of knowing the personal love and acceptance of God has beautiful ramifications for every area of life.
This book would make an excellent gift for a friend or family member with little to no knowledge of the Christian faith. It’s clear, jargon free, and most importantly, infectiously exciting. The author resists the urge to knowledge dump on the reader. Two ways to live this is not, rather the aim seems to be to excite, interest, and tantalise. The reader will not end up with a good basic understanding of the Christian faith, but they may well have an incentive to get one!
Perhaps in this it models an element that our personal evangelism can sometimes lack. Reeves seems to want his reader to come to the end of the book with a sense of yearning. “I want what they had!” And in this he wonderfully succeeds, because of that, it’s a great read for Christians too. A reminder of just how beautiful the life we lead in Christ actually is.
A number of books both large and small have been published on the reformation this year. None I have seen captures the beauty, excitement and joy of Reformation doctrine in as clear and accessible a way as Freedom Movement. And all in just thirty-seven pages. Read it yourself, and give a copy to as many of your friends as you can!
- Richard Eves
Proclaimer Blog
A Shining Book – A New Day (Emma Scrivener)
This is a unique book which speaks the good news of the gospel into painful heart issues with raw honesty, grace and compassion. This is much more than one extra-ordinary woman’s story of admitting and working through hunger, anxiety, control, shame, anger and despair. It is the story of many ordinary women.
Emma particularly addresses the wrong perception that Christians are ‘all sorted’ and deals head-on with the real but often silent, Christian struggle – particularly with mental health. It is a brave book that leaves the author exposed but in doing so, provides the opportunity for others to address their hidden but real struggles both privately and with one another.
Emma uses the 24-hour clock as her timetable for moving from darkness into light which provides clear progression and hope throughout the book. There is no shying away from how dreadful, dark and hopeless the darkness is. Neither is there any pretence that when you are in the light all your troubles instantly vanish. Instead there is a clear focus on God’s gracious rescue plan through his Son – even whilst we groan and wait.
Emma writes readably. Short titled sections; real questions and answers; personal testimony; tangible illustrations; short fact sheets and ‘think it through’ sections. There are certainly aspects to the book that may feel uncomfortable, for example: writing a letter to Anorexia. However, the overall focus is not on naval-gazing but Christ’s power to change. Emma manages to bring together both practical suggestions and spiritual help by richly applying God’s word throughout.
This book is relevant for most women and is particularly accessible to teenagers. It is a valuable read for anyone who knows first-hand the struggles of mental illness but also those who just have “bad days”. This book deserves a wider read beyond the Christian community. It offers answers and hope where these are often hard to find.
Rebekah Brown
Proclaimer Blog
Photo Montage of EMA 2017
Proclaimer Blog
Wowsers – Wow! The Good News in Four Words – Dandi Daley Mackall
A children’s book that uses rhyme to explain the good news of the gospel around four focus words of exclamation.
The author tells an abbreviated story of the bible by highlighting: Creation – Wow! Fall – Uh-oh! Jesus – Yes! Heaven – Ahh! The book ends with a suggested response to keep sharing the Wow message. There are also some linked bible references for parents to dig into deeper which is a helpful resource.
This is a beautifully expressive and colourfully illustrated book that will engage the attention of small children. Whilst some of the vocabulary may be stretching for early listeners and the poetic licence sometimes cringeworthy for the adult reader; the clarity of God’s rescue plan through Jesus shines through.
A great book for Christian parents to read aloud with under five-year-olds. A useful book to have available at a Church Toddler Group and a lovely gift for small children.
Proclaimer Blog
The Art of Turning – A Little Page Turner…
Kevin DeYoung’s new little book ‘The Art of Turning from sin to Christ, A joyfully clear conscious,’ is a little book that fills a big gap in contemporary Christian literature.
As Kevin clearly states,
‘If you read our ancestors in the faith (especially the Puritans), you’ll find that they were obsessed with the conscience. In a good way. They paid careful attention to how the conscience works, the role it plays in bringing people to Christ, and how it is indispensable in leading us into holiness.’
It is a subject that I had never really thought about until reading Kevin’s book, and now having read the book I think that that has been a detrimental oversight.
The four types of conscious highlighted, evil, seared, defiled & weak, are all very pertinent and well illustrated. The concluding remarks of application are also very sharp and challenging.
The summary Kevin makes as to the work of the conscience is helpful –
‘When working properly, the conscience is that sixth sense which impresses upon us a feeling of guilt for deeds misdone. But second, on the other hand, the conscience is also a defense attorney… the conscience should also defend us against false allegations.’
I think this is a great popular level book that should be given to every member of the congregation that our consciences are no longer ignored, under utilised or overburdened.
‘This is an interesting and unique book on a seldom discussed topic. Short, pithy and profound, well worth a read.’ – Nigel Styles (Director of Cornhill)
Proclaimer Blog
Convinced by ‘Convinced by Scripture’ – Andy Johnston
For a small (almost pocket size) biography, Andy Johnston has done a remarkable job of packing in a wealth of historical nuggets and theological reflections on the life of Martin Luther. The prospect of reading a book on church history can seem both exciting and daunting (for some it is exclusively the latter). But, do not fear, as Johnston has produced a personal, compelling and easy read, that will likely stir an interest to find more by and about Luther.
Each chapter is neatly organised by a portrait of Luther, for example, as “the heretic”, “the reformer”, “the family man” and “the flawed character”. I managed to read the book in one sitting, which was credit to Johnston’s clear and succinct presentation and style as much as it was to the book being short.
A notable strength of the book is that it is far from an emotionally detached historical survey of Luther’s life and his ideas. What this means for the reader is that it feels very much like going on a personal journey with Luther, with Johnston capturing in vivid detail Luther’s moments of existential crisis and his ruminations on God and biblical theology.
In his foreword to the book, Professor Michael Reeves describes finding Luther as his “soul-mate” and someone to be cherished and enjoyed by Christians today. A deeply personal narrative continues throughout the book, for example, in a compelling account of Luther’s early life as a monk, Johnston brings to life Luther’s mental torture, his “hell on earth” experience of living on a daily basis “with the reality that God was angry with his sin” (p.16). Later in Luther’s life, Johnston continues to bring Luther to life on the page in describing the progression of Luther’s ruminations on the mercy of God. This reaches a “climax” for Luther as he mulled over Romans and let it captivate his mind and heart to understand the gospel in a new light and so enable “millions of people to come into a living encounter with the grace of God” (p.23).
Again, considering the length of the book, Johnston does well to include a number of original quotations to ensure the reader gets a good feel of Luther in his own words. One of the quotes is worth including here:
“Unless I am convinced by the testimony of Holy Scriptures or by reason – for I can believe neither popes nor councils alone, as it is clear that they have erred repeatedly and contradicted themselves- I consider myself convicted by the testimony of the Holy Scripture, which is my basis; my conscience is captive by the Word of God. Thus I cannot and will not recant, because acting against one’s conscience is neither safe nor sound. God help me. Amen” (p.53)
Captivating indeed! As well as helpful quotes such as the one above which shed light on Luther’s inner turmoil and theological reflections, Johnston also details Luther’s political battles and provides a good flavour of the Ninety-Five Theses, with various extracts in his chapter entitled “the Reformer”.
Johnston is also adept at offering a balanced view of Luther and adds touches of wit and humour at various points throughout the book. He is careful to note the critics of Luther, and does not refrain from highlighting (and condemning) the repugnant elements in Luther, including his anti-Semitism. Johnston does not paint Luther as a flawless figure and tackles the controversial issues head on.
There are humorous historical anecdotes along the way, with Duke Frederick’s quirky collection of relics, including the thumb of St Anne, and Luther’s devotion to an accurate OT translation taking him to the local butcher to see a sheep getting the chop!
Those looking for a more nuanced and scholarly theological treatment of Luther will be disappointed. The absence of references and pointers to further reading may feel like a glaring omission for some, and coverage of aspects of Luther’s theology is simplified. For example, Johnston states that Luther “completely separated the process of sanctification from the act of justification” (p.21). But further study reveals Luther did not in fact make the distinction between justification and sanctification associated with later Protestantism, and his position on justification was much closer to Augustine than is generally realised (see A. McGrath’s Iustitia Dei for a thorough treatment of Luther’s theology of justification). The separation of justification and sanctification can be traced to Luther’s colleague, Philip Melanchton, and then more fully developed in John Calvin. But in Johnston’s defence, a scholarly treatment of Luther’s theology is beyond the scope of a book that will no doubt serve to enthuse readers to continue probing into Luther’s life and theology.
As well as bringing the Luther for “them/then” to life, Johnston also has much to say about the Luther for “us/now”. He is mindful of the present-day threats to Christianity that closely parallel those for Luther in the sixteenth century, including the threat to the authority of Scripture by liberal or “post-evangelical” thinking. Johnston finishes the book with a clarion call for Evangelicals today:
“In a sense very little has changed. Twenty-first century Europe is just as dark, just as ignorant and just as sinful. Consequently there is just as much a need today for the sort of fearless proclamation of the Gospel as Luther made five hundred years ago”. (p.103)
This is a great read and a really good book to use as a first step into reformation church history as the life of one of the most colourful reformers is painted on the pages of this accessible and intriguing volume.
- By Simon Jones
Proclaimer Blog
Born to Reproduce… Olden, Golden & Essential
This is a short, readable and insightful book about One to One evangelism and discipleship through the eyes of Dawson Trotman. Dawson Trotman founded and directed The Navigators from 1933-56 when he died rescuing another person from drowning.
Dawson’s goal was ‘to know Christ and make him known’.
Dawson’s twin passions were people and the Word. His method was first to win an individual, then teach them to win another individual and so multiply ministry. He argues that every Christian is born to reproduce or win souls for Christ – not ‘en masse’, but one at a time. He says: “ask God to give you one. You can’t have two until you have one”.
This is an inspiring and challenging book for every Christian. It is inspiring because Trotman provides solid biblical base alongside real-life examples of how multiplying ministry is not only possible for every Christian, but also visibly fruitful. It is challenging because Trotman is not shy to speak plainly about the obstacles of disunity, sin and immaturity which prevent many ‘busy Christians’ from undertaking this vital ministry.
As he says: “You can lead a soul to Christ in twenty minutes… but it takes… a couple of years to get him on the road to maturity”
Whilst Trotman places an unfashionable emphasis on memorising scripture; his love for people, the Word and genuine growth, makes this olden but golden booklet a timeless classic; a surprisingly relevant and worthwhile read.
by Rebekah Brown
Proclaimer Blog
10 out of 10 for Luther and the 9.5 Theses
Ken Brownell’s (East London Tabernacle) book, Luther and the 9.5 Theses is a little gem of a book. 100 small pages of church history coupled with compelling contemporary application and exhortation.
“In short, while our circumstances are very different from those of Luther in the late 16th century…, the need for the Christianity that emerged from the reformation is still as great if not greater.” (p.4)
It is very much a book of two halves. The first couple of chapters are the historical background to the posting of the 95 theses, the run up to 31st October 1517 and the ramifications afterwards. The second half is looking at the detail of the 95 theses and applying their significance for the church in the 21st century.
The analysis of the 95 theses and the context surrounding their posting is spot on, with pithy observation and enough detail to inform without swamping the reader. The following 10 short chapters are heart warming, zeal nurturing and challenge bringing.
“What needs to be recognised is not only we need academic training but also that such learning must fear God and be intellectually rigorous.” (p.44)
Ken has done a wonderful job in writing this book, the tone is just right, the content intriguing without being exhaustive and the message much needed in our churches.
This would be a great book to leave with someone after a pastoral visit. Something that is an easy and a worthwhile read that will hopefully resonate with a church member and join some of the dots in their understanding of the seismic events that happened during the reformation and the legacy of which they inhabit today.
“Reformational Christians and churches must commit themselves afresh to the gospel of God’s saving grace in Jesus Christ that Luther and other reformers rediscovered in the 16th century.” (p.97)
This book will also be our £1 exit book on Tuesday 27th at the Evangelical Ministry Assembly so be sure to have raided your piggy bank.