The summer holidays often afford us a bit more time as everything winds down and people go on holiday. It is at this time of year that people are often after a good book to read as they laze by the pool with a drink in hand. None of this fits my experience but I always enjoy a good read when time allows!

At Costa Coffee in July a few of us met and shared books that we have enjoyed reading and I suggested to people a recommended summer read. I want to commend to you The Radical Disciple by John Stott. In this his last book Stott, a great man of faith, who has served in ministry for his whole life offers us what he considers to be the 8 most important areas of discipleship. Stott starts his book by highlighting that only 3 times in the New Testament are followers of Jesus called Christians. All other times they are referred to as disciples. This term highlights the pupil/teacher relationship and also reminds us that we are under discipline. Stott suggests that many followers of Jesus avoid being radical disciples by being selective and only committing ourselves to what suits us rather than recognising that Jesus is Lord and that we have no right to pick and choose.

The eight headings he looks at are Non-conformity, Christlikeness, Maturity, Creation Care, Simplicity, Balance, Dependence and Death. The first two of these follow on very well from all we have been thinking about in our Dare to be Different sermon series recently. Maturity, Balance and Simplicity build on these, encouraging us to deepen our faith as we grow as disciples and as servants of Jesus Christ. Creation Care encourages us in responsible stewardship and cooperation with God. The final two chapters take on a more poignant feel when we remember they are written by a man of 88 and as he shares some of his own personal story in these areas. When the older generation often say they don’t want to be a burden to anyone Stott’s reflections help us view this in a whole new light.

If you are prepared to be challenged personally in your walk with God, then I recommend this book to you. It is written clearly, simply and draws on a great wealth of experience from a life well lived in service of Jesus Christ.

Revd. Steve Bailey