The Hopeful Activist – Discovering the vital change you were made to bring
By Rich Gower and Rachel Walker. Pub. SPCK, 2024. 174pp, £10.99
“We can never meet all of the need we see around us. Instead, our role is to be faithful to the calling God has given us: to become the person he has made us to be.” (p133)
This new book is a joyful combination of humility and vision. Humility because the authors are not blowing their own trumpets, but drawing on the practical wisdom they have heard from participants on their podcast series, which now numbers 133 episodes and is still going strong. Vision, because the book comes from a clear understanding of the roles that Christians are playing in today’s world, and the opportunities and pitfalls they need to be aware of. Starting with a clear and accessible theology of activism, the book helps readers to discover (or confirm) their particular calling, and makes sense of the different types of issue which vie for our attention and time. There is then a helpful discussion of the practicalities of effective campaigning, and of the vital support which activists need to have around them if they are to avoid burnout. Leadership is discussed and, to a lesser extent, the equally important characteristic of “followership”. There are encouraging real-life success stories, but also realism about the challenges. Each chapter ends with questions for reflection, and a list of further resources.
I read almost the whole book during a return train journey to Germany for a Church & Peace meeting. It was time well spent, and I hope that this review will encourage you to buy a copy and find out for yourself. If it inspires you, please get in touch with the Christian CND office about how we can help you to put it into practice! And if you want more, check out the Hopeful Activists’ Podcast.
Review by Martin Tiller.
