Review by Adriaan Adams
I had the privilege to meet Ryan Shaw in 2006 during a visit to Bali, Indonesia. His passion for the student generation around the world spoke deep into my being, and was it great to have hosted him twice in South Africa.His first book ‘Waking the Giant’ is widely used in the student circles of South Africa, and am I honoured to have received a copy of his new book ‘Spiritual Equipping for Mission: Thriving as God’s Message Bearers’.
Reading through the opening chapters, it quickly remind me of the integral need to be in an in-depth relationship with our Creator, so that we can understand and live that which he has created us for. It is through the constant awareness of His powerful presence that we can embrace humility, hunger and thirst for more of Him, be clothed in His word, discern God’s guidance and revelation, pursue a lifestyle of prayer, cooperate with His twofold purpose, understand the times and seasons of God, preserve with steadfastness and stability, and pursue a focused life. Each of the areas mentioned are also discussed in more depth, within its respective chapters.
A personal favourite is found in chapter 4; Hunger and Thirsting for God. It has been a long time since I read about the value to have a desire for an increased understanding of Christ, especially in missiological writings. Having an increased hunger and thrust for God, allows us to see ourselves in the way God sees us. It allows us to acknowledge our past, yet being able to walk through the challenges we might have faced. “It is what renewing of our minds means (Rom 12:2). We replace wrong thoughts with the truth of how God sees and feels about us (p72).”
Another favourite would be chapter 9; Understanding the Times and Seasons of God. To be sensitive of His constant presence and having an ear on the ground to see what is happening around the world, would enable us to me more effective and in time with the things we are involved with. “The sons of Issachar understood the times because they knew the God in control of those times. They discerned his heart intent in the context of the bigger picture. This took time, effort and spiritual work on their part. Their discernment was the result of their hard work over many years of going deep with God, watching, listening and obeying his Word (p154).”
On a point of critique, I do have a few questions in the way many writers are expressing that ‘their ten steps’ are the best to follow. Ryan does the same by calling them “The ten essential spiritual keys (p20)”. My question would be why it’s only ten, and not 20 or even just five. How do we determine the correct amount? Also, what about other essential spiritual keys mentioned by other authors? Perhaps, instead of referencing the ten spiritual keys as “the core characteristics of spiritual equipping that enable God’s message bearers to thrive in their calling among unreached and unengaged people groups (p19), Ryan could have referred to them as the ones which shaped his life. And to be honest, that is exactly what I think he indented them to be.
Conclusion
Ryan’s new book ‘Spiritual Equipping for Mission’ is a great read. It is encouraging, thought provoking, and tells a deeper story of Ryan’s personal journey of being a true message bearer. As mention in his book, this is a read for all who are passionate about Christ; whether you are in full-time ministry, cross-cultural missions, or someone working as a witness in secular circles.
The spiritual keys mentioned are valuable towards being more effective as we continue to be on mission with Him. Because ultimately it is “God who chooses you to involve you in His mission to reconcile the world to Himself, He calls you to Himself so you can be on mission with Him and initiates a covenant of promise and obedience with you in order to accomplish His mission. Thereafter He prepares and equip you so that He can send you where He can best work through you to accomplish His mission, guiding you step by step on His mission to glorify Him among all people so that He can use you to fulfill His mission in your lifetime for His glory”. (Goll J.W. & Engle L., (2008) The Call of the Elijah Revolution; The Passion for Radical Change.)
