Dear Sojourners,
I have an important announcement to make concerning this blog.
Effective tomorrow – May 13th – I will be going on a sabbatical from blogging.
The reason?
Right now, I’m engaged in a titanic writing project . . . and I’m behind.
Way behind.
The Past: Looking Back
Since 2008, I’ve put out six books and hundreds of articles. That includes over 400 blog posts since June of 2008.
After I turned in the manuscript for Revise Us Again, I took a short (but needed) break from writing books. And I focused more on this blog. But deadlines don’t move, and my new book project is awaiting my full attention.
The new project will demand the same sort of research and documentation that Pagan Christianity demanded. In short, this new project is a herculean effort.
The only thing I’m at liberty to say about it is that the subject is NOT the church. The message of the new book is for a much broader audience. And as always, I will seek to glorify my Lord in it.
I’d especially appreciate your prayers on this work as I’m keenly aware that I can do nothing apart from Jesus Christ and the enablement of His Spirit.
When will I resume blogging?
I’m not sure. It will be a matter of months for sure. I’ll be back in the Fall (the earliest) or the Winter (the latest).
But I will be back.
Or [cough] “I’ll be back” (uttered with Arnold’s accent).
I wanted to launch the new blog before the break and begin my series on Beyond Evangelical to get folks thinking about the issues. When I return, I will continue that series.
The Future: Looking Forward
Here are the things you can look forward to when I begin blogging again (God willing, of course):
- I plan to blog 5 – 6 times a week (instead of 3 to 4). Most of the posts will be shorter with a few longer essays and interviews sprinkled in now and then.
- Right now, I have over 100 blog posts in my queue. They are some of the best posts I’ve written to date. So I’m excited about publishing them when I resume blogging.
- When I continue my series on Beyond Evangelical, I’ll be exploring the changing face of evangelicalism, the four divergent streams within in it (populated mostly by Christians between 25 and 45 years of age), and the future shape of the Church. I’ve been studying these themes for a long time, and I look forward to writing about them when I resume.
The Present: Looking Down
If you are subscribed to this blog, please do NOT unsubscribe. I will return to blogging with a bang. And when I do, you (my subscribers) will be the first to know.
If you are new to the blog, I’d encourage you to subscribe for the same reason. So you don’t miss a beat when we re-start.
In the meantime, you may do the following to keep up with what I’m doing:
- Join me on Twitter and follow my Tweets. I’ve grown to appreciate how communitarian Twitter is. It’s an awesome place to mutually share resources, knowledge, the things of God, and meet new people. I usually Tweet several times a day. Including Retweeting valuable info. from others. Twitter is a shortened version of this blog. (See my Twitter vs. Facebook post.)
- Subscribe to our free podcast. We will be uploading new audio messages and interviews each month.
- Subscribe to our free quarterly eNewsletter. In every issue, we offer free and/or discounted resources to our subscribers.
- Go through the Archives to read past blog posts and get caught up. The posts are divided by category and title, rather than by date. If a post ministers to you, Tweet it or “Like” it. In this way, others may benefit and the posts will be kept alive. Comments will remain open as our beloved Blog Manager will still be moderating.
- Check out the Mediography to view articles and essays you may have missed. New articles and print interviews will be posted there also while I’m on this sabbatical.
Thank you so much for your friendship, your prayers, and your spiritual support and encouragement.
Today’s motto: God is after a people who are captured by and for His Eternal Purpose. Find out what it is, and give your life to it.
I remain,
Yours in His bonds,
fv
Psalm 115:1
A few years ago I did the same thing. I decided that after about 8 years I needed a break and let my suscribers know. During my sabbatical life flipped around and I ended up in God’s personal training course on life and Him. Your books were part of that learning experience. Haven’t gone back to writing yet. Instead I find myself on a slightly different ministry road. Felt like a failure at first until I could finally see a little of where the new direction was taking me. If, after your sabbatical, you find yourself on a slightly different path than you expected, don’t be discouraged. Recognize God’s leading and follow with curiosity and excitement in where you’re being led.
Great to know there is more to look out for off your studious desk. Most certain a prayer in hand will save not a few lapses. Will keep on our knees for you. What remains is to only pray the Lord burdens your heart for Africa on this great mission of God!! Am dearly blessed by your ministry unto the Lord.
Hi Frank,
This is a little off the current topic of your sabbatical, but it is relevant to the rest of your work. I read several of your books this past year:
“The Untold Story Of The New Testament Church”
“Pagan Christianity”
“Reimagining Church”
“From Eternity To Here”
“Finding Organic Church”
I greatly enjoyed them (along with “So You Don’t Want To Go To Church Any More” by Wayne Jacobsen and Dave Coleman). I’ve been making particular use of “The Untold Story . . .” in preparing our church training and in sharing with other leaders. It would be really nice to have a timeline (both printed and online) that reflects the chronology you present in the book. I think this would be a took that people would find especially helpful after reading the book when they want to incorporate its ideas into their ministry activity.
Does such a timeline exist already somewhere on your web sites? If not, would you consider creating one? I’m envisioning something with dates and links from the key events and NT books to more detailed information.
In Christ,
Rocklyn E. Clarke Sr.
Senior Pastor
Life Church Boston
Great idea. I just don’t have the time to put it together in the foreseeable future. Still behind on the present project.
Hey, Frank. If you’re already on the mailing list, we don’t have to sign up again, do we? U didn’t change mailing list software, did you? I’m really looking forward to the new book. When is it on sale? I’ll want a dead tree copy too.
All subscribers will get a copy. Not a print book, but an eBook.
Glad to hear this, Frank! There is a tension, it seems, between writing and promoting. We who understand both can sometimes get sidetracked by one or the other (for me, it’s usually the latter). And it’s my humble opinion the latter is most important.
Ack! Of course. As soon as I find it to come here and read your blog, you are on a sabbatical.
*sigh* …a day late and a dollar short.
However, I do have some folks I chat with that know you and are assisting me along with organic church stuff. They speak very favorably of you.
I’ll have to wait until your smiling face shows up again.
Blessings,
Donald Borsch Jr. in Bethel, CT
Thx. bro. This gives you time to catch up on the Archives.
http://www.frankviola.org/archives
Frank! Are you hinting there might be a quiz, later? Cheeky monkey, you.
Donald in Bethel, CT
Surely you jest. A quiz? No way. It’s an exam. Those who make an A will receive lots and lots of money and a “Beyond Evangelical” T-shirt.
I love the new look to the site! Hope you have more time to think and “be still” to know that He is God. Enjoy your sabbatical!
Will be praying. God’s speed and blessings in your endeavors.
Looking forward to the new book. I will keep subscribed and in the meantime re-read some of you older posts as I am fairly new to your blog.
Thanks Dave. Really appreciate it. Enjoy!
Praying for your new project. enjoy!
{HUGS}
@spreadingJOY
First and foremost, most certainly looking foward to the new project you are speaking of. Will certainly mention it to the Lord a few times
.
And….you are some kind of writing machine, eh? You have multiple books (which is enough to keep any one man occupied the rest of his/her life) hundreds of posts (again, a lifetime) and you still have 100 more in the que!? Are you sure you’re human? I’m beginning to wonder
All the best, Frank. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the challenge of a new project. And whatever it is, may the Spirit of Christ pervade it.
Stay at this brother. You have been and are a valuable, much-needed voice. Looking forward to the future and for now, will pour through your rich library of work. The Lord be with you… grace, wisdom, and peace.
Praying your time away will increase Him in your life! Happy writing!
lol….I just suscribed a few days ago too! I’ll be praying for you. Your books have comforted my discomfort and I’m so eager to read about this evangelism topic. I feel we need to make some major changes. I’m embarrassed to go out evangelising the way my traditional church requires. We are leaving our traditional church in June after a 3 year promting from the Holy Spirit that something is just not right. Looking for an organic church to be apart of…So excited about this new season in our lives. YOU ARE AN ANSWERED PRAYER! GOD BLESS YOU for your courage!
Anna: Just so we’re clear, I’m going to be resuming my discussion on EVANGELICALISM, not evangelism.
If you’re interested in evangelism, see my post “Rethinking Evangelism” http://frankviola.org/2010/10/13/rethinking-evangelism
Frank,
Please know that you’re in my prayers often. I’m grateful for your contribution to the body. Many are stirred up and encouraged to love and good deeds because of your life. Looking forward to the hearing about the big project when the time is right. Blessings:)
Everybody needs a break and change of pace…like a vacation
You will be refreshed and renewed…go forth and write!
I appreciate all you’re doing. See you on the flip side.
I’ll be praying for you in earnest. Maybe mid-summer you can give us a hint about what the new book is about? Inquiring minds want to know I’ll be going to Momentum in Sept, so I’ll be looking forward to you “leaking” the information.
God bless, Frank.
At His Feet,
Ant
I’m still waiting for the Ecclesia Study Bible.
But I’m sure I’ll be appreciative of whatever your next project is. Blessings!
Rick: No plans for a “study Bible” of any kind. That’s not my burden. Though you will see a book in the future (God willing) that pulls together the entire biblical narrative in a fresh way.
BUT I’VE READ AND LISTENED TO ALL YOU HAVE OUT THERE!
MAY YOU BE GREATLY BLESSED IN YOUR LATEST ENDEAVOR TO LOVE THE PEOPLE YOU ARE WRITING TO.
VT, USA SIGNING OUT – FOR NOW
Of course, the day after I subscribe! :^)
No worries, I have tons of archived blogs to read through… and I am looking forward to the next book as well…
Lol. By the time I resume, you’ll be fully caught up. So no worries.
To be honest, I wish some bloggers would take a sabbatical. It’s very difficult going back to their archives and reading everything they’ve written previously because they keep writing. Just sayin’
Same here! Will have to catch up from behind in the meantime. Blessings on your project!
Since you’ve already got 100 posts written and in the queue, why not set it to publish one article a week while you’re taking your break from blogging? That keeps people reading your blog but requires little effort on your part except for approving comments or replying to the occasional comment. One post a week is more than many bloggers do.
Michael: They all need editing and polishing. They’re in rough draft mode.
Anticipation is a good thing, sometimes. That is, if we make it past May 21st .
I’m excited about the new project and I will be praying for you for inspiration, energy, peace and wisdom during this time. May God speak volumes to and through you as you write.
Hugely appreciated, Sarah.