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Now in paperback.
The publisher says:
After nine years serving on the staff of a big urban church in Atlanta, Barbara Brown Taylor arrives in rural Clarkesville, Georgia (population 1,500), following her dream to become the pastor of her own small congregation. The adjustment from city life to country dweller is something of a shock because Taylor is one of the only professional women in the community, but small-town life offers many of its own unique joys. Taylor has five successful years that see significant growth in the church she serves, but ultimately she finds herself experiencing "compassion fatigue" and wonders what exactly God has called her to do. She realizes that in order to keep her faith she may have to leave.
Taylor describes a rich spiritual journey in which God has given her more questions than answers. As she becomes part of the flock instead of the shepherd, she describes her poignant and sincere struggle to regain her footing in the world without her defining collar. Taylor's realization that this may in fact be God's surprising path for her leads her to a refreshing search to find God in new places. Taylor reminds us that life is about both disappointment and hope, and ultimately, renewal.
We say:
It comes as a shock to those of us who are Barbara Brown Taylor fans that she leaves her clerical position. The shock comes because she has been such a model for many others. The woman priest who announces as she walks through our store, "I need inspiration for a sermon. Where are Barbara Brown Taylor’s books? She always sets me right" is typical of the high esteem held by Taylor’s readers in our store.
How can she leave?!
In truth, her leaving describes the feelings of many who have spent their lives in the church. A significant number of our customers are what John Shelby Spong described as "church alumni." To read Taylor’s journey in the church and her decisions helps others of us understand our own feelings.
Taylor writes with superb expression of feelings and actions. For clergy, Taylor expresses feelings seldom mentioned. Her description of the power of the person presiding at the Eucharist is riveting. She only acknowledges the power of it to herself when she sits in the pew as a member of the congregation. For non-clergy, she gives insight into the lives and feelings of clergy.
In our opinion this book needs to be read by every ordained person and every person contemplating ordination. It will be good for the laity to read it as well.
New Release: May 2006
New in paperback: April 2007
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