MATTER

Welcome to my new blog, which we’re launching to accompany some important news. We promised one announcement this evening, but actually, there are two.

First, the news we are most happy about: our book is finished.  Both Tom, my associate, and I have been discussing a book for years, mostly as a fantasy.  More recently we actually started planning and researching for it. And finally, in the summer of 2010 we began to write. It was much more work than either of us anticipated, certainly one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done. But it is done: we’ve written the story we wanted to tell.  This week we begin the process of submitting book proposals in a number of different directions and looking for a publisher, which we are very confident we will find.  If not, we’ll get it into people’s hands in other ways.

The book is currently titled “Make church Matter” and subtitled “Retrieving Catholic Parishes from the Culture of Consumer Religion.” Basically the idea is this: one in three Catholics has walked away from the Church, making “former Catholic” the third largest religious designation in the country (after Catholic and Southern Baptist).  What is going on? We answer that question and discuss the successful strategy we’ve developed to move forward. Please remember this project in prayer this week as we explore opportunities for getting this to as wide an audience as possible.

That’s part of the news, here’s the rest.  To celebrate this milestone we are hosting a first ever church conference.  The conference, called “Matter,” will introduce the book to our ministry leaders.  The conference will also include great music, video and breakout presentations and some crazy stuff too.  It’s Saturday, November 5, from 9-3.

Besides our ministry leaders, we’ve decided to open registration up to you, too. Just click the conference logo below and let us know you’re coming. This conference will not be open to the public, or the parish at large, and seats are definitely limited, so if you’re interested, don’t wait.  It is going to be a terrific experience, filled with inspiration, worship, fellowship and fun.  You’ve never seen anything like it in church.

Or, if the logo does not appear above, click this link to register for MATTER.