EQUIPPED:
Gearing yourself up for the plans of God
By Chris Kilby
Self-published (Simplicate). 184 pages. £11.79
ISBN 978 1 788 088 794
This is a book of instruction and encouragement about personal evangelism. The author is a pastor in the New Frontiers network of churches.
The book deals with issues ranging from the message of the gospel, the attitude of the evangelist, prayer for evangelism, and the role of the miraculous in evangelism. The material appears to have been taken from talks and sermons – headings are alliterated, there are personal anecdotes and amusing quips. The writer is clearly an engaging speaker.
Deep enthusiasm
The reader cannot help but be inspired by the writer’s deep enthusiasm for his subject, his honesty about his own path to faith, and the humanity of his concern for communicating to people where they are. For example: he prayed that God would use him as an evangelist on his return journey from a conference. His car broke down, and he was able to witness at exactly the right time to the breakdown mechanic. Just super!
The way it spells out the gospel is nothing particularly new – and the stable from which it comes is clear at a number of points. Many might want more convincing than the simple assertion ‘I believe that the gift of apostle is one of the fivefold ministry gifts given by the risen Christ … I am biblically convinced that apostles continue … in our day’ (p.9).
Many might prefer a stronger paradigm for a visual/simple gospel presentation than this in which sin ‘separates’ (p.141). They also might have a different take on the role of the miraculous than the one in the final chapter in which the church of which he writes was ‘prophesied … to be a church baptised in signs and wonders’ (p.167). It’s a heartfelt book on evangelism from a charismatic pastor.
