Am I missing something?

Frank and readable account of a former Fleet Street journalist's journey into faith

Am I Missing Something?
by Ruth Roberts
Authentic Media
ISBN 978-1-78078-026-9
 
Reviewer: David Stuckey

I don’t know Ruth Roberts but I like her a lot. Having been involved in newspapers all my life, I like her style of writing, I like her anecdotes and I like her frankness! This is an incredibly readable book, not only if you have been employed in journalism, but for anyone who experiences doubts about what is deemed ‘acceptable’ when it comes to Christian ‘image’.

The book is a continuation of her column in Christianity magazine and charts her journey into faith. She had been touched by the gospel in Sunday School but, rebelling against what she saw as ‘restrictive rules’ which accompanied leading a Christian life, she laid that experience on one side and entered journalism, first in the suburbs and then in Fleet Street with the News of the World.

However, by the time she left to go freelance in 1999 the NoW she says was “already a deeply unpleasant place to work”, and this partly contributed to her return into the comforting family of a local church.

“I always believed in God but I just didn’t like Christians that much … my perception (of them) was as judgemental hypocrites or woolley do-gooders and a bit pathetic.”  She is still critical and believes some churches still struggle to engage effectively with the media or with seekers outside their social class or experience.

So why did she stay? “I realised I needed church. I wanted some form of spirituality in my life. The message I got from church was grace, total grace … and that was really attractive to me”. 

This is a tale many will identify with and find a kindred spirit seeking truth and acceptance.

David Stuckey is a journalist and member of Maghull Baptist Church