Side By Side - Book Review  

Side by Side (Ed Welch) is a really readable, helpful book on how we can all be involved in ministering to one another in the body of Christ

He speaks into a society that values ‘independence’, ‘self-sufficiency’ and ‘strength’. He tackles the notion that we don’t need help by reminding us of our neediness before God and how that relates to how we seek help from others.

For the helpers amongst us, “We spend a lot of time hiding our neediness because we are afraid of what people will think……..I prefer to appear strong or at least competent. Yet weakness- or neediness- is a valuable asset in God’s community. Jesus introduced us to a new era in which weakness is the new strength. Anything that reminds us that we are dependent on God and other people is a good thing.”

This book is challenging and deeply practical too. Welch takes time to focus on how exactly we are needy as believers and then how we are ‘needed’ as believers by others too. I love the way Welch helps us to see practically what we can do to move towards others in love as we gather as a church family. The beauty of our actions stems from the wonderful truth that God always moves toward us in love.

If you expect a comfortable ride - you won’t get it, but you will go away with a better understanding of what your role in the body of Christ is and hopefully a deeper desire to be honest and vulnerable and at the same time, a blessing to others.