Friend of a Friend

I read Friend of a Friend twice. The first time, I wanted to know my friend Jesus better. I also wanted to know my friends better and gather a few more of them. Then someone mentioned that the book made him smile. So I read it again and smiled my way through it. Talking about friends will do that. Ed Welch, Psychologist and faculty member of the Christian Counselling Foundation, author of numerous books including When People Are Big and God Is Small, Shame Interrupted, Side by Side, and Created to Draw Near. There are few things more important in our present cultural moment of us-versus-them tribalism, than learning from Jesus what it means to be known as a ""friend of sinners"" (Luke 7:34). In Friend of a Friend, Peter Sondergeld helps us to uncomplicate evangelism by teaching us how to be better friends ourselves - firstly as those who experience a richer friendship with Jesus, and then secondly as those who extend genuine friendship to those around us. In each of these chapters is biblical and practical wisdom for every follower of Jesus! Adam Ramsey, Lead Pastor at Liberti Church, Gold Coast, Australia; Director for Acts 29 Asia Pacific; author of a few books, including Honour, Faithfully Present, and Truth on Fire: Gazing at God until Your Heart Sings Peter sits with us, like a fellow traveller and the best of guides. He's made mistakes but learned from them. He's walked the paths on which he's leading us. By bringing the scriptures to light and sharing stories from personal experience, Peter helps us see our neighbours and ourselves as Jesus sees us. Our hearts enliven, our practices mature, and our love grows. Zack Eswine, co-founder of Sage Christianity, and author of Wiser with Jesus and The Imperfect Pastor. In this enjoyable, easy to read, book on evangelism, Peter uses the metaphor of ""friendship"" to turn evangelism, as we usually think of it, on its head! As I read each chapter, I found myself responding very differently to a lot of the other books I have read on evangelism. I found myself saying, ""Now that is easy. I think I could do that kind of evangelism."" If you want to grow in this area of your life or you want to unleash a church to be more at ease with sharing their faith in Jesus, I would highly recommend this book. Dr. Tim S. Lane, President: Institute for Pastoral Care, author of How People Change and Unstuck: A Nine Step Journey to Change That Lasts. Friend of a Friend is warm, conversational, and deeply challenging. With pastoral sensitivity, theological depth, and everyday wisdom, this book invites readers to meet Jesus and discover the richness of authentic friendship. Thank you, Peter, for this helpful work that points us to our truest friend, and how that motivates all other friendships. Malcolm Gill (PhD, Dallas Theological Seminary), Lead Pastor, Multicultural Bible Ministry Sydney, author of Knowing Who You Are and Topical Preaching in a Complex World. My fuel tank for both friendship and evangelism often feels like it is running on empty. Yet, in this book-full of Peter's pastoral warmth and biblical wisdom, and beautifully pointing towards the friendship of Jesus-I've received a high octane refuelling. Meaningful friendships that share Christ feel more attainable and more exciting than ever. Get ready for a top-up! Ste Casey, Pastor Speke Baptist church, Liverpool, UK, Tutor and speaker for Biblical Counselling UK, author of I Prayed and Nothing Changed.