Howard E. Friend, Jr., Gifts of an Uncommon Life: The Practice of Contemplative Activism. Alban Institute, 2008.
Referenced in: Missional Lifestyle, Discipleship, Spirituality – Spirituality and Social Ministry
LifeandLeadership.com
This book encourages people to be deeply spiritual, such that their lives are grounded in God’s presence, but also strongly active, such that their lives are an embodiment of God’s mission.
One might argue, as Friend points out in an interview about his book, that contemplative activism is redundant, and that the fully orbed meaning of the word contemplative implies that we work “with” or “alongside” God’s attempts to make our lives a “template” of himself which manifests itself “actively” in the world. This is true, but the common usage references but one piece of spirituality, the reflective side. Thus he adds activism so as to depict godly people joining God in the hard work of mission.
One might argue, as Friend points out in an interview about his book, that contemplative activism is redundant, and that the fully orbed meaning of the word contemplative implies that we work “with” or “alongside” God’s attempts to make our lives a “template” of himself which manifests itself “actively” in the world. This is true, but the common usage often points only to the one piece of godly living, the reflective side. Thus he adds activism so as to depict godly people joining God in the hard work of mission.
Friend blends the gifts of presence, silence, solitude, and patience, with empowerment, outrage, and partnership (even with those who differ with us). If we engage the world without the spiritual grounding, we quickly lose hope. With the anchor of God’s presence, however, we maintain hope alongside the outrage, and can sustain the “long and winding road” of kingdom transformation.
I like the way one of the editorial reviewers describes this book:
“This book offers passion, perspective and wisdom to leaders in our seminaries, sanctuaries and streets. Friend’s insights come across in equal parts as spiritual direction, organizational consulting and social justice advocacy—a holistic mix of storytelling, social analysis and theological reflection.” – Ched Myers, author and activist theologian, Bartimaeus Cooperative Ministries
This is a good book. It is also endorsed by Shane Claiborne and John Perkins.
From the Publisher
This book of ten essays is a breath of fresh air, a source of inspiration, a wake-up call, and a bold challenge for pastors, congregational leaders, and church members—both active and lapsed—who long for a new perspective, even a touch of creative irreverence. With an invitation to quietness and stillness, inner strength and resilience, audacious hope and insistent confidence, it welcomes those among the people of God who do not belong to a church or name themselves as Christian. Yet it does not shy away from raising difficult questions. Howard Friend offers forthright, at times disarming, candor as he shares his personal pilgrimage of activism rooted in contemplation.
Convinced that God still seeks to work in and through the church, Friend shows us where God is present—at times despite the church itself. In his opinion, the church needs to stir the pot, upset the applecart, and dare to welcome the new and refreshing. Yet Friend remains hopeful for and committed to the church, calling and equipping it to become its highest and best. Drawing on a range of stories from the Bible and his own lived experiences, Friend invites us to meet real people—pastors, leaders, everyday folks—who dare to dream a new dream, journey toward a far horizon, walk with tireless determination, and press on with awesome hope.
About the Author
Howard E. Friend, Jr. is an ordained Presbyterian minister, longtime parish pastor, and founder and lead consultant of the Parish Empowerment Network. He has led workshops, seminars, judicatory training, and retreat events around the country and worked with more than 150 congregations over the last twenty years. He is the author of Recovering the Sacred Center: Church Renewal from the Inside Out (Judson Press, 1998).
***For additional information on this resource, including reviews, click the bookstore links. Check the reference at page top or the links below for resource guides on related topics.***
See Resources on Over 100 Areas of Ministry Leadership