It’s official.
My second book, Permission to Speak Freely, will be released with Thomas Nelson next fall. It’s inspired a bit creatively by the PostSecret movement and the content is driven by the post Things You Can’t Say in Church (which is now up to over 400 comments!)
We will be using people’s confessions both on the website and in the book – which will be four colors. Similar to PostSecret, we’ll actually be scanning in your confessions and using them throughout the book. It will kinda have the same artistic vibe as Jesus for President (see below).
The thing that’s making me a little nervous? The manuscript is due in just a couple of months, so even before the website is launched, I’m needing to get some confessions in now!
How can your confession wind up in the book and/or on the website when it launches?
EASY!
1) Write down your confession. What’s something you feel like you can’t say in church. You can make it as short or as long as you want. You can write it on anything you want – a piece of paper like a letter, a postcard, a bulletin, a page from the Bible, a photograph, a drawing, ANYTHING at all that you can mail. It can be any shape, any size. It doesn’t have uber creative (although it certainly can be). It can just be something written down. You also don’t have to currently attend church or even believe in God.
2) Put at LEAST your first name on it. Part of this book is a revolution to claim our brokenness and God’s redemption. If it is anonymous, it won’t end up being used. You can use your full name if you want. But your first name is fine.
3) Stick a stamp on it and mail it in. Send it to Permission to Speak Freely, PO Box 431, Franklin, TN 37065. Or if you’re a fancy Photoshopper, make it a digital file that is at least 300dpi at 6″x4″ and email it to [email protected]
I would LOVE to have at least 100 of these in the next week if possible so we can begin scanning them in, prepping them for the book and the website.
And here’s a little incentive for you…if I receive your confession by next Monday, July 27 AND you include your email address, I’ll send you the first 1200 words of the book.
We will be talking MUCH MORE about how artistically you can be involved in the creation of this book. It is truly an art project focused on transparency and confession within community.
But for now…I’d love to receive your confessions…fast!
Can I count on you?
Comments
25 responses to “What Can’t You Say in Church?”
Sounds cool. :)
sweet! good trade. I’m going to make an awesome one. But you won’t know it’s me.
Jesse Phillips?s last blog post..Chicago – ?Citizens or Tourists????
@jesse….you gotta put your name on it..of course…i guess there are a lot of jesse’s in the world!
Great project. I’ll send you something this week.
Felicity?s last blog post..What Do You Think?
Yay! Thank you so much.
I’m totally in!
Did you know that this book was in the making when you posted the initial question? Knowing that a book deal was in the works based on that question, it now feels a little disingenous – like the post was more “market research” than really wanting people to be transparent and open….
@TQL. I had absolutely no idea. Only after there was such a passionate response did I feel that it was a topic worthy of addressing. I struggled with how to do that for about a year or so.
New to your blog, new to your books. I think this is an excellent idea for people to just let it all out. Very cool.
Lee Hoover?s last blog post..Why Do We Worship?
Thanks for the clarification….
Brilliant!! I’m in, sounds like a great opportunity for some serious authenticity where it’s needed most.
Josh Chapman?s last blog post..At the speed of leadership
Ah! I love it. Working on it tonight. :)
I’ll get working on that
Joanna?s last blog post..Song of the week- American dream
I’m so glad that you decided to turn this compelling topic into a book. I have a feeling it will resonate with A LOT of people. Since we’re fellow Zondervan authors (both living in good ole’ Tennessee), we should get together sometime. Best wishes on the writing!
Rachel H. Evans?s last blog post..On the Paralysis of Insecurity
Will be in the mail tomorrow!
patriciazell?s last blog post..CREATION TIDBITS
Anne, am praying about what response to make.
Two cautions: first, I hope your publisher did, or will, take your surgery into account when it came to figuring out your book deadline. Or will reconsider it accordingly. If I were them, I’m sure I’d say, “We don’t want ANY extra pressure on you when you go through heart surgery. Let’s get THATdone, see how you heal, and THEN set a deadline.” (Just a suggestion to pass on through your agent or contact.)
Second, as you point out ways that the church can do better, build that on a foundation of things it does do well. It’ll help your book be received “freely.”
Best wishes, and prayers.
A much needed resource and a WAY cool and creative way to get feedback! Sending something today!
Cynthia Cullen?s last blog post..Church Planting…an Introduction
I’m so pumped for you!!! Will be praying for health, deadlines, content quality and quantity. Will try to get something in the mail too but can’t promise…but will be prayin!!!
Donna Frank?s last blog post..Lift up your face
Thing I Can’t Say In Church
“Why have we sacrificed depth for numerical growth? Why do we focus on numbers, both people and money, more than we used to? Why did we stop doing the things that got us here?”
yep.
Cool idea! Don’t think I’m brave enough to confess to the world–Jesus is much safer!
Anne,
This is a cool, creative, and therapeutic idea! I wonder if this will turn into a therapy trend for people suffering from the variety of church-related illnesses. I just may have to send you something!
Thanks for article. Everytime like to read you.
While this subject can be very touchy for most people, my opinion is that there has to be a middle or common ground that we all can find. I do appreciate that you’ve added relevant and intelligent commentary here though. Thank you!
Excellent! Thanks for sharing the info. You write really well. Hope to see much more flowing from your end. Cheers :)