discernment

A reader writes …

Greetings from Southern California! Allow me to open this e-mail by stating that I’ve had the pleasure of seeing you in-person on two occasions over the past couple of years…
I contact you now to let you know that I’ve been tremendously motivated by your book, A New Kind of Christianity. I’ve enjoyed reading several of your other volumes, yet this publication is playing a distinctive role in my prayerful contemplation about vocation. … I’m now in the midst of a self-initiated 40 days of prayer which earnestly focuses on discerning a sense of peace about my sense of call – and, to borrow Frederick Buechner’s saying, to find the convergence of “my deep gladness with the world’s deep needs” – and, during this prayer contemplation, I am feeling more and more compelled to seriously embark in a ministerial pursuit much like what you’ve been engaged for the past several years.
I was struck in the introduction of A New Kind of Christianity that you mention being set to participate in the discernment retreat as part of the Episcopalian ordination process, and then your journey shifted in a different direction. Fortuitously and fascinatingly, I find myself at that same pivot-point – and sense in my prayers and thoughts (as well as by way of conversations with valued mentors and connections with respected friends) that I should take steps towards investing myself in an emergent-church-like vocation which, like your ministry and publications, coalesces more of the message of progressive parishes with more of the marketing of evangelical churches. Further, with me being a Gen-X-er who lives and serves in close proximity with many Gen-Y-ers (i.e., millenials), I sense a need for churches/faith-communities who take seriously the emerging worldview and faith-view of these younger groups (which diverges in notably ways from folks in a later seasons of life).
Along with letting you know about your unique influence and inspiration in my spiritual journey at this juncture, I’m compelled to let you know I would covet your prayers as I seek how I can optimally and faithfully align myself with the labor for God’s beloved community that is now needed. As well, I’d be privileged to receive any guidance and/or resources you’re able and willing to relay to someone like me. Please know I hold you, Brian, in my prayers – and I look forward to continue being stimulated by your contributions that connect faith beyond something wrong, and towards something real. I hope to actively do the same in my life and vocation in the days and years to come.
Peace | Salaam | Shalom …
P.S. … I recently purchased six copies of your book (via amazon.com) and am sharing them with friends who may potentially partner with me in the kingdom-labor I’ve alluded in this correspondence. To a person, they’re grateful to receive such an significant and seminal volume – and we all look forward to how it will collectively inform us in a vision about a substantive and substantial ministry that grapples with the ten questions (and others) that are transforming the Christian faith.

Thanks so much for this note. I hope that thousands of people who read this blog will pause for a moment of prayer for you and others like you who are responding to the call to help form vibrant new faith communities that venture into terra nova. In my travels, I constantly meet inspiring people like you who are discerning this call … along with others who are doing the equally challenging work of helping existing communities of faith go through needed change. May God bless and guide you, and thanks so much for the note of encouragement. We’re all in this together!