More Ready Than You Realize Book Review

Bob FranquizBooks

0310239648_1First, let me say that I love Brian McLaren’s books (I’m ducking from the bullets). I’ve read most of his books, but this one managed to evade me for a while. Needless to say, this is a great book on the subject of evangelism.

More Ready Than You Realize is a wonderful departure from the world of 4 spiritual laws, EE, and all the other “canned” approaches that I don’t think really work in the real word anymore. I know people find this somewhat offensive at times, but I think street witnessing is pretty much dead, and along with it, most other “cold calling” evangelistic techniques that don’t involve building a relationship with someone far from God.

In the world we live in, one of constant telemarketers, propaganda coming in the mail, advertisements on TV, the Gospel can be turned into a spiritual “product” rather than the life-changing power of God that it is. I believe this is best seen in the context of relationships. Honestly, I remember being on the other end of “sales-pitch” evangelism and finding it annoying. Yet when my older brother shared the message of Jesus with me, I responded and my life has never been the same. I guess that’s why I feel so strongly about this, because it’s my story. Anyway, even if you don’t agree with everything Brian says (which I don’t anyone who does), I would highly recommend this book to anyone that wants to build relationships with people who are far from God and help them in their spiritual journey in a way that doesn’t feel like a sales approach.

The format of the book is original, as it chronicles a friendship that Brian builds with a musician that over the course of 2 years. The book showed the lack of needing to know everything (which is why most Christians never share their faith) and placed the emphasis on being real and authentic. It’s a quick read (less than 200 pages) and Brian takes you on a journey (which he does in all his books) that makes you think that anyone could do this (which I think is the whole point).