Pullin does a good job in the first half of this book of outlining Jesus’ own masterclass model, and particularly how he developed Simon Peter. Jesus invested in Peter in a way that he didn’t with others. I wonder if the way we coach and release more reticent individuals might look somewhat different. But the Gospels have a wealth of data on Jesus’ relationship with Peter, and Pullin is a perceptive observer of the effective way the master trained this particular apprentice.
The second half of the book paints a picture of the kind of culture we will need in our churches to operate as healthy discipling communities. I think this section might have been stronger with a few more case studies from the contemporary Church. The author makes many helpful references to the leader who mentored him but, perhaps for reasons of modesty, says much less about what he has learnt personally as a maker of disciples.
Overall, this is an edifying book and one that convinced me that I need to reorder my own priorities as a church leader to better reflect those of the Lord Jesus and the kingdom of God. JL
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