The last 6-7 months have been a blur as I was busy reading, researching, writing, editing — and a whole lot of staring at a blank screen — in preparation for my new book, What It Means to be a Man: God’s Design for Us in a World Full of Extremes. It’s my second collaboration with Moody Publishers as part of their Moody Collective team. And I’m very thankful for the opportunity to write about a book on a topic I’m very passionate about.
For the last 18 years I’ve had the opportunity to intimately work with men as a pastor, college admission counselor and therapist. The ages have ranged from school age boys to men in their 70’s and 80’s. And it is these experiences that my latest book draws from. In my work with men several themes have begun to emerge over the years — themes that all men, regardless of age, ethnic group, socio-economic status, etc….struggle with. There are lots of good books out there on men, but I wanted to write a different book.
This is intentionally a very short book (probably a little over a 100 pages — 5 minutes a chapter) with very short chapters. Each chapter (13 in all) covers different themes that I hope I can bring to light in the lives of men, as well as challenging them to specifically try something new when it comes to that issue. The end of the book includes a 16 week study guide for men, that I hope will be a great small group guide for many.
Without saying more…here is where you come in.
The book officially launches on May 1st, but I want to give you the opportunity to get a sneak peek at the book, as well as a chance to discuss the issues raised in the book with me over the course of the next 12 weeks (February 6th to April 30th). Essentially, I want this opportunity to hopefully be a time of learning and insight for you and I.
If you are interested, here’s what you need to do.
Who Is Invited
I have created two closed Facebook groups for our time together.
One group is for 40 men. It will be an opportunity for us to read and discuss each chapter.
One group is for 20 women. Like the men, it will be an opportunity for us to read and discuss each chapter. But with the women’s group my hope is helping women gain some new insight, and really understand what maybe is going on in many of the men’s lives they know (be it father, husband, son, friend, co-worker).
How Does It Work
Each week I will release one chapter of the book for you to read. Some weeks may have two chapters. And during that week I will post information on that chapter (why I thought that issue was important to address; resources and research I drew from; implications for moving forward). It will also be an opportunity to interact with me and the other people in the group so that we can all learn more together.
What I Need From You
One, I need confidentiality from you. That you won’t pass on the chapter to anyone else beyond the group.
Two, that you won’t discuss anyone’s personal issues that may arise in discussion in the group. You are free to post some approved quotes from the book, talk about some of the themes…but not about the personal issues of anyone in the group…should they arise in the wall post discussions.
Three, I need you to post an Amazon review between April 26–April 30. Hopefully after 12 weeks together reading and discussing the book, it will be super easy to post a review. I’m interested in your honesty — what you agree with in the book, what you disagree with in the book, how it challenged you, etc. And when your review is posted we will send out a copy of the “real” book to you.
That’s it…..
So if this is for you, here’s what you do.
Men, go to this link and join.
Women, go to this link and join.
If you are interested, don’t hesitate to join.
