Pioneers UK & Ireland Blog

This book is an encouragement for anyone seeking to become effective ‘little Christs’ in our needy world. Gleaning from her extensive experience of global mission, the author takes us through a process of discovering how we are formed by God the Spirit and formed from all aspects of life and shaped to be used by God in the world. Through delicate issues of pain and family to experiences of culture, influences and learning, we are challenged to consider how life has shaped and formed us to serve the world around us.  

The author explains that this is not a book to be rushed but ‘one where you can linger with the Spirit as he reveals or encourages or gently challenges you’. It is indeed thought-provoking and demands a degree of interaction on the reader’s part in order to apply what is being presented. To assist this process, there are helpful ‘formation questions’ at the end of Part 2 ‘Formed from …’ and Part 3 ‘Formed to …’ chapters. Taking time to consider these questions in prayer would indeed add significantly to applying what Kate Pocklington is describing.  

The writing style of the book is often beautifully descriptive which makes it enjoyable to read. Being well balanced with personal stories and illustrations from life makes it also relatable. The fact that it is not an academic book and is an easy read means it could easily be used as a group-based reading and study guide, or a resource for teams to use together. The formation questions provide a ready-made structure that could be used by any group of Christians seeking to be relevant in the community where God has placed them.  

This review comes with a gently warning, however. Do not read this book if you are not prepared to be further shaped by the Spirit of God! We are presented with challenges in Part 3 such as choosing to trust God or other people in sometimes difficult circumstances, or receiving and extending radical forgiveness, even when it is the hardest thing we must do. This is a book that provokes the reader to search deeper into their hearts and life experiences than may seem comfortable at times. But it is a constructive provocation that seeks to equip us and enable us to ‘truly resemble Jesus’ and to be ‘people who are Jesus-centred and outward-focused’. This is not a naval-gazing book, rather it is a book to encourage us to lift up our heads and use our experiences and Spirit-shaped lives to bring the living gospel of Jesus to those who don’t know him yet. This book helps us to learn to pay attention to the Spirit’s activity in our lives, to recognise how God has shaped us and will continue to shape us so that he can use us to be even more fruitful in his work of transforming the world around us.  

If you desire to be used by God to bring hope and healing in your community or to the ends of the earth, if you are ‘serious about carrying on what Jesus started all those centuries ago’ then I encourage you to read this book and be prepared to be shaped further by the Spirt of the living God.