To Be Like Jesus

The plot of John Bunyan’s classic: The Pilgrim’s Progress was in the similitude of a dream presented as an allegory of the Christian life. He wrote it when imprisonment for violating the Conventicle Act of 1664 that prohibited holding religious services outside the established Church of England. In this book, Dr. Mwailu appraises and evaluates the biblical theology of the Christian journey in personal and ministerial formation. He traces his Christian life that spans over five decades and his ministry covering over four decades and intersperses his personal reminiscences, experiences, learned lessons and illustrations to spice and enliven the subject of spiritual formation and practice in ministry.

There are many other books and publications on the subject of spiritual formation, most of which are presented from a western Christian background based on western philosophical and theological perspectives. Dr Mwailu’s contribution is, however, unmatched in the way he evaluates spiritual formation from an African perspective, guarded by his understanding of the western culture where he has lived and worked since 1979 and illustrations from his own Christian journey, citing examples from both Africa and Europe. The book incorporated a series of lectures he delivered in Nairobi at Africa Nazarene University on two units. The first series was to students studying in the master’s program and covered the unit “Life Development and Ministry Skills;” which he has taught on several occasions. The second and more recently, the unit: “Spiritual Practice in Ministry”, offered to students taking the Dmin/PhD programs. The reflections shared in this book grew out of academic theoretical research and appraisal of spiritual formation and practice in ministry. As an actively practicing minister and backed by his thirteen years’ experience as a superintendent minister, he presents to the reader persuasive arguments and backed up with life illustrations to help the reader understand the subject of spiritual formation and practice in ministry.

He demonstrated the he power of the gospel by accounting how; he as a son of non-Christian parents transformed to becoming a dynamic Christian. In addition, how he began his ministry planting a church in Nairobi West in partnership with a Western missionary, David Dunkerton and went on to be a minister of the gospel in different cultures in both the European and American continents.

The book started as lecture notes during the sabbatical and other teaching lectures online. As such, it has extensive citations and Biblical references. It is an academic book interspersed with the personal story of a spiritual journey with added reminiscences to enliven the text. As an academic scholarly document, it has excessive notes, citations and references to facilitate further research.

Dr Mwailu wrote this book in earnest prayer that others would find the insights and experiences related helpful to enrich their lives and for those who have not started on their spiritual journey and encounter with God that they find this book an inspiration to start their journey. Also for those that are already on the journey would find it an encouragement and an inspiration to persevere on.

To those who have just started on their personal and ministerial journeys, this book is offered with the prayer that they would take the seven disciplines recommended in this book as pillars seriously and in so doing, find great spiritual enrichment in their life’s journey. These disciplines and associated insights are highly commended to the readers. He hopes that God will use this book to bless the readers.

The book has seven chapters and includes seven suggestions for practical applications. The first chapter establishes the raison d‘etre of spiritual formation, as a lifelong process superintended by the Holy Spirit through a commitment to spiritual disciplines. The innate propensity to do evil rather than good, understood as original sin makes it necessary to engage in spiritual formation. Spiritual formation is part of the straining and pressing on towards Christ-likeness mentioned in Philippians 3:13-14. The second chapter evaluates the various definitions of spiritual formation and assesses some of the hindrances. The chapter particularly points to specific challenges faced by Christians growing in the Christian faith in the African context, grappling with the beliefs in the living dead, witchcraft and the evil eye. Chapter 3 analyses three dynamics that engender spiritual formation: “circumcision of the heart”, the sacrament of baptism and the concept of koinonia that demonstrates that spiritual formation involves both personal and corporate dimensions. The chapter ends citing two illustrations: cycling in single formation facing a head wind and the V flying formation of migrating geese. The fourth chapter briefly appraises; ministerial formation and what it entails. It argues that it is possible to avoid ministerial burnout by having a balanced life and rigorous engagement in spiritual disciplines.

After, exploring a plethora of literature on spiritual disciplines, this book identifies seven disciplines that it argues are vital pillars in sustaining spiritual life and formation: Scriptures, prayer, fasting, meditation, keeping a journal (journaling), mentoring and grace. Chapter 6 demonstrates how the Wesleyan-holiness movement by use of spiritual disciples became conducive to spiritual transformation and growth. The chapter points out how this was endorsed by George Whitfield, a contemporary of Wesley lamenting: “Brother Wesley acted wisely; the souls that were awakened under his ministry he joined in class, thus preserved the fruits of his labour. This I neglected and my people are a rope of sand.” Response to spiritual awakening in revival is not enough for spiritual maturity. The chapter suggests that reviving forms of the class meetings would counter church decline. The final chapter gives practical application on spiritual formation by suggesting seven signs and evidences of spiritual formation in a person’s life: Firstly, grace and gracious living. Secondly, compassion in responding to other people’s physical and spiritual needs. Thirdly, a prayerful life; fourthly, dependence on scripture and the Holy Spirit; fifthly, intimate dependence on God; sixthly, sanctified victorious living and seventhly, balanced worldview as citizens of heaven living on planet earth. The book is highly recommended.