New Book In The Works
After several months of work, I now have a functional book proposal for my new book, which I’ve tentatively titled “Lost In The Barrens: Thriving & Surviving In The Missional Frontier”. It sets out to explore the reasons for the growing internaldisparity of a generation that is simultaneously distancing itself from the local church while demonstrating an unprecedented passion for God and missional community. I seek to chart a path to growth and reconciliation, drawing from my own journey of faith, one that saw me leave the local church only to be increasingly drawn back again. It is a call to both the established and emerging church community to work towards understanding, if not unity. Nearly half of the first draft is done, with the rest outlined. It still needs a lot of work, but I am excited. Here is a general outline:
Introduction – Reflections of an Emergent Voyageur
Beyond The Birds And Bees:
Towards A Celebrated SexualityFather, Son & Holy… Bible?:
Towards A Balanced Approach To ScriptureOne Body, Many Parts:
Towards An Intentional DiversityIt Ain’t Easy Being Green:
Towards A Sacramental EcologyWhere Mercy Triumphs:
Towards A Restorative JusticeNo Church Is An Island:
Towards Missional CommunityThere Is No “Para” In Church:
Towards A Broader EcclesiologyMore Than Words Can Say:
Towards Incarnational FaithSons And Daughters Of God:
Towards An Inclusive WorldviewRetracing The Suburban Exodus:
Towards Urban RenewalConclusion – From Colonialization To Community
I would love to hear your feedback. What do you think of the topics? Any thoughts or stories in regards to any of them? Any additions you might suggest? I value your opinions, so let me know.
Sounds like a book I’d love to read, Mr. Best Religious Blog in all of Canada!
Hey Mike,
Thanks! Care to weigh in on any of the topics? I want the book to be shaped by more than just my view of things.
Peace,
Jamie
Yay! Good for you!
I’m not clear on what “this growing disparity” is- between what and what else?
Dana
Dana,
Thanks for the catch. It seems I cut and paste all but one sentence into the post. I’ll get on fixing that ASAP.
Peace,
Jamie
The titles and sections look great Jamie. I’m excited to read snippets as they continue to develop! You will be posting little teasers now won’t you?
Two suggestions:
1. No “Church” is an island.
How about ‘community’ or ‘gathering’ – using Church to speak about a geographically bound gathered people, rather than the whole kit and kaboodle of followers past, present and future may work against what it seems you’re aiming for in the rest of your book.
2. And you could also use “One Body, Many Parts” as the main title for the chapter toward a celebrated sexuality
James,
I will indeed be posting snippets, so stay tuned. I have the same reservation about the use of “Church” in that heading. And I love your suggested retitling the sexuality chapter.
Peace,
Jamie
Ok, picking nits here (gross image, but that’s our wonderful English language)-
“Disparity” implies two things, but a generation is only one thing- understand what I mean? Perhaps “disparity” belongs somewhere else, or not at all, in the sentence? Advocating for clarity here.
Dana
Dana,
I fixed it again, and while it still might not be perfect, I think it works. Here’s hoping!
Peace,
Jamie
sweet! glad to hear we’ll get some previews.
what about “no sanctuary is an island”….
James,
I like it. I’ll add it to the possible edits.
Peace,
Jamie
Better!
D.
Dana,
Phew! Thanks!
Peace,
Jamie
“There Is No ‘Para’ In Church” — I like this and its one of my pet peeves. The popular definition of a parachurch group is any non-church based Christian entity or ministry. The simple fact that we use such a defined term shows a complete misunderstanding of the biblical concept of the church. It is a false dichotomy and I’ll be looking forward to the new book and this chapter specifically.
bb,
Well said. I hope to develop it more in my chapter, but any input you have is welcomed!
Peace,
Jamie
congratufrickinlations.
Later
Phil,
Thanks!
Peace,
Jamie
Jamie,
I know such a project is like bringing a child into the world. And how close it is to your heart. So, take this with a grain of salt.
I’d start with a strong emphasis that the church is from Jesus and through Jesus and because of Jesus. And it is all about Jesus.
It is sooooo easy for those who love the church to make strong statements to correct it, yet it is equally easy to leave Jesus out of the the main focus of the correction.
Make much of Jesus from the first words. And keep making much of him. Point everything back to him and emphasize everything in light of him. Truly make him the head of the church.
Good luck with your book!
-Steve
Steve,
Not sure why you want me to take that with a grain of salt… unless you assume that I am not keeping Jesus words first and foremost. No worries. I love the church and have never left her.
Peace,
Jamie
That leaves me nearly breathless. Really good and interesting stuff there in your chapter titles. And I love your theme. This is so much needed today. That is both mutual understanding, and unity that can go with that.
Ted,
High praise. Thanks! I am very excited and nervous. Stay tuned for more details.
Peace,
Jamie
Hi Jamie,
Again take this with a grain of salt. I’ll freely admit I might be missing something.
I made my comment because it doesn’t appear from your outline that Jesus is supreme in the thesis of the book. Your first chapter is about sexuality. First chapters tend to be foundational for other chapter (I might be missing that your intent is for the chapters to be “stand alone” chapters.).
And that Jesus is only mentioned once in the outline.
If Jesus is in all and through all, and if he is the head of the church, and if he rules over all, then I’d think that premise (that he rules over all your chapters) should be clear.
Now, I presume you might have this as unspoken theme throughout. I think the danger of that is many will miss the unspoken and just read the spoken.
May all Christian writing champion Jesus through out and may it be unquestionably clear what is being is being championed. If Jesus is the answer for the church, let’s make it clear on every page, even the outline page.
Now, I cringe at the thought of you reading this and being frustrated that I am on my self-important soap box trying to set you straight. I know I am most likely coming across that way, but my own intent is to champion Jesus wherever I can. My desire is to saturate everything with Jesus.
If I am missing the boat, I apologize and please feel free to set me straight.
Steve,
I appreciate your input, but I would say that the emphasis is more than sufficient throughout the book. The outline is rough, so obviously will be sharpened. However, to say that it isn’t explicit enough in the outline seems a tad… excessive. It reminds me of the little boy in Sunday school who, when asked what was brown, fuzzy and collected nuts, said:
“I know the answer is Jesus, but it sure sounds like a squirrel to me!”
I could counter argue that an overemphasis on Jesus would reflect an imbalanced exclusion of the other Persons of Trinity. I could argue that the specialized focus of the book doesn’t require exhaustive refocusing on given premises. There are many things I could say. What I will say is that, while I appreciate your sentiment, I find the focus on Jesus in the book more than sufficient, with little help adding anything too specific to the outline. Thanks again!
Peace,
Jamie
Hey Jamie the books sounds awesome. It is something that we need. I like the thought of unity between emergent church and others. I think that we all need a real dose of grace in our thinking between the different communities. I hate saying it this way but I think that it is true sometimes or most of the time we hate change but usally it is a good thing but I think that there is so much that we can learn from each other in this whole thing we just need the grace to be able to get over our mistakes. I think that so often that we have such a western view of mistakes that when we are wrong or a wrong done to us we have to fight whatever it is that is wrong and most of the time this comes at the cost of love and grace. Do not get me wrong I am not saying that we should not fight for what is right but I am saying that we need not lose our integrity in it. I am excited about the book because I think that it will bring about alot of understanding I just pray that we take whatever glasses we are reading it with off and understand the heart behind what you are doing. Congragulations on the nomination for the blog site.
Matt,
Wise words, well worth considering. My desire with the book is that it will serve as a bridge between otherwise conflicting parties. I may idealistic in this desire, but I can’t of a better place to start, right? Thanks for weighing in!
Peace,
Jamie
Thanks for setting me straight. Good luck with it!
Steve,
Didn’t mean to set you straight, just ring clarity. Thanks!
Peace,
Jamie
I dig those titles, bro.
Hey Tony,
Thanks!
Peace,
Jamie