Book Review: Reimagining Discipleship

At the outset of this post, its worth declaring a personal interest. I grew up just outside the parish of the author of today's book, and he was the Rector of the Church that both my junior and secondary school (for international readers, thats the period between me being 7 and 18) went to for services. I've heard Robert Cotton speak a number of times, and have always found him warm, engaging and kind. So when SPCK sent out their monthly email asking what books I might like to review, and his new book on Discipleship was on the list, I jumped at the opportunity. I've never been to a sunday service led by Cotton, but I am aware his interpretation of the Christian story and the resulting churchmanship is different from what I might prefer. That said, I enjoyed reading his book.

"Reimaging Discipleship" has a bold subtitle; "Loving the Local Community". As a member of an evangelism and justice-minded Vineyard church, I can't help but rejoice when I read that statement. It is a simple precis of what I was reflecting on in a recent post, Alan Scott's challenge that "the church exists to lead the city into life". Cotton, however, is an Anglican rector, and of a different style and theology than some, and so his thoughts on what 'love' means in the context of Christian witness in the local community are interesting. I mentioned in yesterdays post on what I'm reading that I felt this book was flawed in some of its premises, but powerful in its challenges - and that is worth stating early on in this review. Internal theological alarm bells started ringing early on, as Cotton seems to endorse universalism (the idea that everyone is saved, which I have written about before as representing a part of "The Suicide of Christian Theology"). This is an important issue - hence my trumpeting of my disagreement - but I strongly feel that this book (And thus its erstwhile author) have much to say that is of use. So, with caution in place but a learning and open heart, onwards we go.

Woven in throughout this medium-length (150 pages) book is a deep love for Guildford and the surrounding countryside. As someone who has jogged on routes similar to (though much shorter than!) those that Robert Cotton describes, I could immediately identify with many of the illustrations that are used. The various stumbles, changing terrains and difficulties of jogging in the beautiful but hilly Surrey countryside provide helpful illustrations for what Cotton wants to say about Discipleship. One of the most helpful of these comes at the opening of the appropriately titled chapter "Taking a Tumble". Using a rather complex illustration of brambles and mud, Cotton challenges us that sometimes we may inadvertently take a stumble because of our own firm stance, if that stance is misplaced. Interesting. Elsewhere, Cotton talks about the location of his church, bumping into former schoolchildren, his garden, and his dog. There is a very real-life spirituality at work here.

What Cotton has to say about Discipleship and Christian living isn't new - in fact, with his constant reference to the original 'vicarious' meaning of what it means to be a vicar, and his challenge to live lives of love outside the walls of the church, its quite old-fashioned - but it is helpful. I've long said I should read books that I don't 100% agree with theologically - and I'm glad I read this one! I'd recommend it to those looking to be informed about discipleship, and seeking to understand how a certain Anglican vicar tries to live that out.