DEAR FRIENDS
Selected writings of Jonathan Fletcher
Edited by Tim Thornborough
Lost Coin Books. 160 pages. £10.99
ISBN 978 1 909 559 387
This marvellous book is a collection of letters Jonathan Fletcher wrote for the church magazine at Emmanuel, Wimbledon over his 30 years of ministry there.
Jonathan never planned to write the book; instead, it was put together at the time of his retirement by friends who thought the letters deserved publication. They were right.
The book is a real page-turner, packed with pastoral wisdom, shrewd analysis and searching application of the Bible. It is delightfully easy to read – hardly any of the 50 letters are longer than a couple of pages – and seasoned with warmth and humour. It is not only a model for those of us who aspire to write such letters, but also of how a loving pastor should relate to his congregation. The title is apt.
The book is divided into five sections. ‘Personal Convictions’ explains why Jonathan is still a Christian, and why he’s still an Anglican (both Anglicans and free church friends will learn from this). ‘Biblical Insights’ gives a sample of exposition on paper as he applies some passages. ‘The Christian Life’ includes letters on subjects such as ‘self-centredness’, ‘ p r a y e r ’ , ‘remaining evangelical’, ‘happiness in Christ’, ‘winning our friends’ and ‘seven causes of backsliding’. ‘The A n g l i c a n Communion’ is mainly letters encouraging us to contend for the faith in a denomination whose great Reformation heritage is under attack. ‘Influences’ contains appreciations of Christian leaders such as William Wilberforce and John Stott.
Along the way are many gems. Consider this, on the substitutionary death of the Lord Jesus: ‘For God to permit a substitute was very merciful; to provide a substitute amazing grace – but to become a substitute is grace beyond all measure’.
Several of the chapters are worth the price of the book in their own right. What’s marvellous is that there are 50 of them. I cannot think of a person – whether a pastor or a congregation member – who won’t benefit from reading this.
