Previous Post – Ministry in the Upside-Down Kingdom

With all the excitement with the release of my new book, “The Cost of Community: Jesus, St. Francis & Life in the Kingdom” (Likewise Books/IVPress), I didn’t want to miss telling you about two other book projects that I have had the privilege of contributing to.  As it happens, they are both debuting mid-November.

“Waiting For The Light: An Advent Devotional”

This exciting volume, edited by Christine Sine, Ricci Kilmer & Susan Wade, brings together a collection of devotional reflections by various authors.  Christians of all traditions are discovering the value of taking time in the days that lead up to Christmas to break away from the consumer frenzy of our culture and prepare their hearts and minds for the coming of Christ. This resource responds to this desire. It is more than a devotional, it is a complete guide to the Advent and Christmas season, providing liturgies, weekly activities and daily reflections to equip and nourish us all through the season.  Each week of Advent focuses on a different theme:

Week 1: preparing

Week 2: seeking or expecting

Week 3: waiting

Week 4: becoming

The theme for the twelve days of Christmas is incarnation  Each week begins with a prayer or liturgy that incorporates the week’s theme. in other activities that may help you and your family focus more meaningfully on the these seasons of the liturgical year.

Pre-order it here.

“Widening the Circle: Experiments in Christian Discipleship”

In the last half-century, a growing number of North Americans have been smitten with an Anabaptist-Mennonite vision of church and mission. Often coming from outside the Mennonite mainstream, they’ve formed communities with others of like mind and sought to live out their radical faith. But in the process, they often bump up against the institutional church that has housed the radical vision for generations. The stories and reflections offered in Widening the Circle explore that creative tension. The result is a rich showcase of Jesus-centered discipleship-windows into what the future church can look like.

My contribution to this book explored the intersection of the Franciscan and Anabaptist traditions, examining where each tradition compliments and challenges the other.  I cannot wait to see this book get out there.

Pre-order it here.