Sleeping Giant: A Call to the Church to Awake and Arise – A review
Author: Tommy MacNeil
River Publishing 2021
A peek at the properties for sale on the Church of Scotland website is a depressing experience. The number of church buildings and former manses listed vividly illustrates the decline of faith in Scotland. If you feel it’s a case of ‘will the last person left turn out the lights,’ you’re not alone.
Tommy MacNeil is different. He is convinced this property page is only part of the story. And it’s not the most important part. In his book he compares the church to a sleeping giant. The church of Jesus Christ in Scotland is asleep, not dead. It needs to wake up not receive the last rites. And it is the Holy Spirit who will blow new life into the church and make this happen. General Assemblies, Presbyteries and Kirk Sessions matter. Yet, it is God, and God alone, who has always given the church life. So before we talk, we need to pray. Before we plan, we need to get on our knees. As we try new things we do so in dependence on God.
Sleeping Giant is an inspirational book. Tommy’s writing style is direct, punchy and accessible. He is a Church of Scotland minister serving a regular congregation. He’s one of us which gives the book a deep resonance.
The congregation of St Andrew Blackadder read it together last year. Since each chapter is based on a bible passage it is ready made for a sermon series. Since each chapter concludes with discussion questions it is ready made for small groups to use. We bought in bulk and sold copies at coffee. I preached on a chapter a week. People gathered both in formal groups and informally with friends to chat about it.
The impact of the book on the congregation was dramatic. People began thinking, talking, praying and working together in new ways. It helped people believe that decline is not the full story and, perhaps, not the most important part of the story. I became aware of an increase in spiritual energy within the congregation. God used the book to generate momentum. Prayer days happened. New prayer groups began. Some people felt able to try new things.
I thoroughly recommend the book. You could read it yourself. You could use it with a small group. You could use it for a sermon series. Maybe, you want to try doing all three.
The church was once a giant in Scotland. It has lost its mojo and many have already written it’s obituary. Jesus disagrees. The giant is simply sleeping. God is waiting to blow new life into the church by his Holy Spirit. This book can help you work out how you can be part of what God is waiting to do.
Neil Dougall (Minister at St Andrew Blackadder Church, North Berwick).