Religion Press Release Highlights God’s Healing for Life’s Losses

New Book Promises Biblical Hope to the Hurting

God’s Healing for Life’s Losses, a new GriefShare book from BMH Books by counselor, author, and educator Robert W. Kellemen, Ph.D., LCPC, is now off the press and available for shipping.

Subtitled How to Find Hope When You’re Hurting, the book provides real, raw, honest and hopeful conversation about suffering, loss and grief from a Christian perspective.

The author is a seminary graduate as well as a trained counselor and educator, and the text of this small, gift-sized hardback reflects a solid underpinning of biblical truth and Trinitarian theology to its practical advice and keen insights.

The book is endorsed by GriefShare, an organization which conducts Christ-centered grief support groups in thousands of communities. More information about GriefShare is available at GriefShare.org or by calling 800-395-5755.

Dr. Ian Jones, professor of psychology and counseling at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, said, “If you want a thoroughly biblical and intensely honest examination of suffering from someone who has walked the path from ‘hurt to hope in Christ,’ then ‘God’s Healing for Life’s Losses’ is just the book for you.”

Steve Grissom, founder of GriefShare, says, “It’s a treasure, filled with stunning and comforting words about God’s perspective on grief.”

The author, Robert Kellemen, served more than a dozen years as Chair of the Master of Arts in Christian Counseling and Discipleship department at Capital Bible Seminary, where he is now professor-at-large. In his three pastoral ministries, Kellemen has ministered to hundreds of grieving parishioners. He is also founder and CEO of RPM Ministries.

God’s Healing for Life’s Losses is available wherever Christian books are sold in stores, online, or through BMH Books at www.bmhbooks.com or by calling (toll-free) 1-800-348-2756. The book’s ISBN number is 978-0-88469-270-6 and it retails for $14.99.

The author, Robert Kellemen, is available for interviews, personal appearances, speaking engagements, or book signings, and may be contacted by e-mail at bob.kellemen@gmail.com or through his website www.rpmministries.org or by phone at 219-662-8138. Media requests for review copies should be e-mailed to tdwhite@bmhbooks.com.

Tags: Bob Kellemen, Books, God's Healing for Life's Losses

How to Write Fair and Balanced, Helpful and Engaging Book Reviews

I’ve been reviewing books for over a decade now. In addition to published reviews in journals and magazines, I review online for the Gospel Coalition Reviews, Discerning Reader, RPM Ministries, Everyday Christian, Amazon, CBD, Lunch, and a few more I’ve likely forgotten.

Here are a few quick thoughts on writing fair and balanced, helpful and engaging book reviews.

1. If you totally hate it, don’t review it.

I know that’s not everyone’s policy, but it is mine. You know what your Mom told you, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all…” If I think a book is all bad, I’m not going to write a review. I just don’t have the stomach to be that critical.

2. Think of the author—she or he is a person, too.

As someone who has authored five books, I know what it feels like to “birth” a book. It is one’s creation. So, when you do point out weaknesses, do so graciously, fairly. Quote the author in context. Don’t question the author’s motives (who made book reviewers God?).

3. Contact the author before and after the review.

I’ve started doing this, especially for major reviews (in terms of the significance of the book, the length of the review, where it will be posted, etc.). When I first start reading and reviewing a book, I’ll send my thoughts, impressions, and questions to the author. I’ll ask if I’m “getting it right,” and if they have any response or clarification. After the review is published, I’ll send it to the author and encourage them to engage in an ongoing conversation about the book.

4. Follow the SSWE principle.

I’ve created something of a standard book review format: SSWE. By the way, this doesn’t mean you use this like a straight-jacket. And it doesn’t mean you have these “four sections” of your review. Rather, weave these following four aspects into every review in a conversational style.

S: Summarize the Book:

Help the reader know what in the world the book is about. If the book is in a “technical” field, translate the jargon to the everyday language of the common person.

S: Strengths of the Book:

Every book (I review) has some strengths. Give snippet illustrations of those strengths and highlight how they relate to life and ministry.

W: Weaknesses of the Book:

No book is perfect. But again, when sharing weaknesses, do so fairly, graciously, kindly, and gently.

E: Engage the Book:

This is perhaps the missing ingredient in many/most book reviews. Everyone does summaries, strengths, and weaknesses. But this is not a book report for your middle school teacher. This is a book review for real people who want to know if the book is worth reading. Interact with the book. Write as if you are having a conversation with the author—stretch the author, probe, ponder. Ask questions. Wonder out loud.

Join the Conversation

What do you think makes for an excellent book review?

Tags: Bob Kellemen, Book Reviews, Books, How To, Kellemen

A Conversation about Brian McLaren’s A New Kind of Christianity

Final Recap: Links to Responses to A New Kind of Christianity

Welcome: I’ve finished blogging my way through a series of responses to Brian McLaren’s book A New Kind of Christianity. My focus has been on pastoral theology or practical theology response. As a pastor, counselor, and professor who equips the church for biblical counseling and spiritual formation, I was asking: “What difference does our response to each question make for how we care like Christ (biblical counseling) and for how we live like Christ (spiritual formation)?”

Final Recap: Word Document Format

I’ve created an edited version of my entire blog series in a Word Document format. It’s free, so I’ve posted it along with my other Free Resources. You can enjoy over 100 free resources for your life and ministry at RPM Ministries. 

Feel free to download and to share my final recap in Word Document format: A Conversation about Brian McLaren’s A New Kind of Christianity.

Final Recap: Blog Format

If you’ve benefitted from this blog series, and if you think others would benefit also, please feel free to reference this series, link to it on your site, or post it on your site.

Here are all the links in my blog series on A New Kind of Christianity.

• Post # 1: Brian McLaren, I Accept Your Invitation

• Post # 2: A Biblical Counseling Response to Brian McLaren

• Post # 3: Responding to Brian McLaren’s Q # 1: The Narrative Question

• Post # 4: Responding to Brian McLaren’s Q # 2: The Authority Question—The Bible

• Post # 5: Responding to Brian McLaren’s Q # 3: The God Question

• Post # 6: Responding to Brian McLaren’s Q # 4: The Jesus Question

• Post # 7: Responding to Brian McLaren’s Q # 5: The Gospel Question

• Post # 8: Responding to Brian McLaren’s Q # 6: The Church Question

• Post # 9: Responding to Brian McLaren’s Q # 7: The Sex Question

• Post # 10: Responding to Brian McLaren’s Q # 8: The Future Question

• Post # 11: Responding to Brian McLaren’s Q # 9: The Pluralism Question

• Post # 12: Responding to Brian McLaren’s Q # 10: The What Now Question

• Post # 13: Conclusion: The Final Word and the Word After That

Six Views

I’ve also collated other responses and reviews to A New Kind of Christianity.

• 6 Views on Brian McLaren’s A New Kind of Christianity

Join the Conversation

Which question do you think is most important and why?

Tags: A New Kind of Christianity, Biblical Counseling, Bob Kellemen, Book Review, Brian McLaren, Spiritual Formation

A Conversation about Brian McLaren’s A New Kind of Christianity

The Final Word: And the Word After That

Welcome: You’re reading the final post, Part 13, of my blog series responding to Brian McLaren’s book A New Kind of Christianity (read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, and Part 12). Many have engaged Brian’s thinking by focusing on a systematic theology response (read 6 Views on Brian McLaren’s A New Kind of Christianity for a boatload of links). My focus is on pastoral theology or practical theology. As a pastor, counselor, and professor who equips the church for biblical counseling and spiritual formation, I’m asking: “What difference does our response to each question make for how we care like Christ (biblical counseling) and for how we live like Christ (spiritual formation)?”

The Final Word: I’m Thankful for Brian’s Questions

While it’s obvious that I disagree with many of Brian’s answers, I’m thankful for each of Brian’s questions. I agree 100% with Brian that we should be having deep theological and practical conversations about these ten questions. I won’t repeat them here. I’ve engaged Brian about them for two weeks and thirteen posts.

I’ve not only indicated my theological disagreements along the way, I’ve also shared my “relational disappointment.” I don’t believe the conversation was nearly as inviting as it could have been. I think Brian repeatedly painted extreme stereotypes and pejorative caricatures of others, while consistently painting himself and his views with saintly hues. This not only turns off those Brian is speaking against, it also grossly misinforms those to whom Brian is speaking. Additionally, it’s unfair of Brian, in my opinion, for him to expect others to remain quiet or to response submissively while he attempts to demolish and deconstruct what they consider the bedrock of biblical Christianity.

I understand that there’s a long history here for Brian and some of those who disagree with him. I also know that some who have read A New Kind of Christianity have said, “That’s it. I’m done. There’s no reason even to try to reason together with Brian.” Call me naïve. I’d like to think there could still be a respectful conversation.

I think it would be interesting to read a co-authored book with Brian and someone from “the old kind of Christianity.” I’d envision those two authors engaging their differences candidly and respectfully. I’d expect those two authors to portray each other accurately, even while lovingly and at times forcefully disagreeing. I’d anticipate those two authors exegeting Scriptures—perhaps even the same passages, to support their divergent views.

The Word After That: The Biblical Counseling and Spiritual Formation Perspective—For All the Church

Little did I know what I was signing up for when I volunteered myself to offer a biblical counseling response to Brian’s answers to his ten questions. However, I’m glad I did.

I’m passionate about pastoral theology and practical theology. I think they’re missing ingredients in these conversations. We rightly approach these issues from the “academic” theology perspectives of systematic theology, biblical theology, and exegetical theology. But we often omit the “spiritual” theology perspectives of how a book like A New Kind of Christianity impacts real life and everyday ministry. When we fail to respond to Brian from a practical theology perspective, we further enhance the false caricature and the extreme stereotype that “the old kind of Christianity” is all about academic theology and not also equally about practical theology.

Biblical counseling and spiritual formation are subsets of practical/pastoral/spiritual theology. They include many types of one another ministries: soul care, spiritual direction, spiritual friendship, etc. They go by many names: biblical counseling, Christian counseling, discipleship, mentoring, coaching, etc. Whatever we call them, I trust that as a side benefit of my responses, readers have glimpsed a clearer and a bigger picture of “biblical counseling and spiritual formation.”

Biblical counseling is not simply what happens between two people in an office. Biblical counseling and spiritual formation are ways of thinking about life, ways of doing ministry, and ways of living out the daily Christian life. The biblical counseling perspective on the sufficiency of Scripture has much to offer all Christians. The spiritual formation perspective on progressive sanctification has much to offer the Body of Christ.

The biblical counseling theology of people, problems, and solutions provides robust implications and applications for doing life and being like Christ. The spiritual formation methodology of soul care and spiritual direction provides comprehensive insights for the personal ministry of the Word. They are profitable for all the church.

The Rest of the Story

In my next post, I’ll share a “Final Recap” that includes links to every blog in this series, plus links to other reviews, and a new link to a Word Document version of my entire series.

Join the Conversation

Of everything in A New Kind of Christianity and out of everything in my responses, what do you think has been most important?

Tags: A New Kind of Christianity, Biblical Counseling, Bob Kellemen, Brian McLaren, Spiritual Formation

Top 20 Referring Blogs and Websites!

I’d like to thank the following top 20 blogs and websites that have referred visitors to RPM Ministries since our new site “went live” two months ago today. I’ve listed them in the order of the number of visitors they have sent to RPM Ministries. I’d encourage you to visit these ministry sites (just click on the name).  

Note: I’ve not listed sites like Google, Twitter, Facebook, USA Today (yep–I have referrals from them!), etc., nor have I listed sites below the “top 20 mark.” 

Tim Challies

Adrian Warnock

CCEF

Discerning Reader

The Gospel Coalition

Trevin Wax

The BCSFN

Biblical Counseling for Women

The New Culture

Vessels of Mercy

Counseling Solutions

Grace Dependent

Leslie Wiggins

Phil Monroe

Dwayne Bond

Chris Carr

Intentional Intimacy

Melinda Lancaster

Crossway Books

Eternal Community

Tags: Blogs, Websites