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R.B. JonesGospel ministry in turbulent timesHigh energy ministryR.B. JONES If you’re into church history, you’ll enjoy this book; if you’re into Welsh church history, it’s a win, win! R.B. Jones wasn’t just another fiery Welsh preacher from the valleys, he rose to a position of some national Christian influence and his wisdom and leadership were sought by many. His life and ministry were shaped by three movements that make him an unusual weather vane of the church on the threshold of the 20th century: the Welsh Revival of 1904; the Keswick Holiness Movement; and the rise of Modernism in the church. Together these developments gave him both personal learning curves to climb and theological battles to fight. Blessed with huge energy, organisational flair and a passion to train men for gospel work, ‘RB’, as he was affectionately known, was in some ways ahead of his time. Like others of this era, he worked at inter-church initiatives and theological education. He organised or inspired the equivalent of today’s Gospel Partnerships, Apprentices and national mission. He was his own man. A Baptist, but a friend of all who loved the Word, he was intellectually able, but wary of academia. He was a committee man and team player, but a single-minded pioneer and rugged individualist. Noel Gibbard, the author, carefully maps out the key stages in RB’s theological development as a pastor and strategic leader. There are also some helpful later chapters providing gentle analysis of R.B. Jones’s preaching methods, his doctrinal frameworks and hymnology. I enjoyed it — but then I’m a Welshman! I also know the author, who lectured me and some of the people whose parents were introduced to Christ by RB. You should read it because history repeats itself and maybe second time around we’ll listen. Peter Baker, © Evangelicals Now - November 2009 |