Trevor Hudson lives in South Africa. He is a Christian minister, author, and encourager to many. I have mentioned his latest book Discovering Our Spiritual Identity: Practices for God’s Beloved on this blog.
I recently asked Trevor several questions that might be of interest to Christians in general and ministers in particular. The following interview will appear in two parts. I will be giving away one copy of the book just mentioned in a drawing. To be eligible, please leave a comment below, on my Facebook page, or post a link on Twitter.
Trevor, I have just read your book Discovering Our Spiritual Identity: Practices for God’s Beloved. I enjoyed the book greatly and have been recommending it. What was behind the writing of this book?
Thank you, Jim, first of all for your warm affirmation of the book. It is very close to my heart! What was behind the writing of the book? I am deeply aware that we live presently in a historical moment characterized by a profound searching for a vital and life-giving spirituality. In the midst of all this searching there is a critical need for careful discernment. Many expressions of spirituality doing the rounds within Christian congregations can only be described as foreign to the spirit of the crucified and risen Jesus. Often they are obsessively absorbed with the meeting of personal needs and reflect minimal concern for those who suffer. Alternatively, a spirituality of social struggle and involvement is frequently endorsed which avoids the biblical imperative for personal conversion and deep inner change. I wrote the book as a modest attempt to describe a spirituality that is centered in Jesus Christ, faithful to some of the treasures of the diverse streams within Christian Spirituality, accessible to those in the local congregation and responsive to the deep suffering all around us.
What do you suggest to congregations in which members desire to stay centered in Christ, but find daily demands and the needs of others around them are exhausting? How does the average Christian begin to see his/her way through?
I would say to congregational leaders, “Please be careful not to exhaust your members more than they are already!” As a pastor I want to be very respectful of the daily demands that those in my congregation face everyday. I would help them to see their daily lives at home and work and in the community as the primary place for their formation in Christ. They don’t have to be in the church buildings more in order to do mission. I would explore in our moments together very down-to-earth ways which help us remain mindful of Christ’s active presence within our daily lives—ways of turning our minds towards Christ on a regular basis, inviting him into our daily activities, remaining thankful, recognizing him in those we encounter and trusting him with outcomes. The promise of Jesus is that, as we learn to walk with him in our daily lives, we will live more lightly and freely. It is a wonderful thing when we in our local congregations can discover the reality of these words in our own experience.
(More to come)
Jim,
Thanks for posting this interview and introducing me to the book. Your recommendation makes this one move onto my reading list.
Thanks for sharing.
Scott
Scott, this is a book that I have read slowly, much like eating a good steak. The paragraphs and sentences are packed with meaning. More important there are pack with nourishment for the soul.
“Please be careful not to exhaust your members more than they are already!” As a pastor I want to be very respectful of the daily demands that those in my congregation face everyday. I would help them to see their daily lives at home and work and in the community as the primary place for their formation in Christ.
So true, as a friend of ours used to say. I have enjoyed his videos you’ve posted and I hope I win the book!
Thank you, Jim!
Thanks Darryl. Glad you’ve enjoyed his videos.
Reading this interview makes me wonder how much my ministry has exhausted people rather than given rest. Trevor makes a very convicting statement here. Thanks for sharing this, Jim.
Sounds like a valuable read to better discover who we truly are.
Glad you left this note Raymond. It certainly is.
Hi Jim
Trevor is just such a blessing! It is very true that our daily lives at home and work and in the community should be the primary place for our formation in Christ.We need to lift up holy hands to God wherever we are doing His work.
Natalie, I really like this point that he made at the first part of the interview. Thanks for leaving your comment. Your right, he and his ministry is a blessing.
Having read one of Trevor’s books before I am sure this will be worth reading.
Douglas, after reading this book, I definitely wanted to read more of his writing.
Too often I try to rush to determine God’s plans for me. Once I slow down, I can hear and sense His direction, which allows me to look for opportunities to serve others.
Thanks for sharing and have a blessed weekend!
Michael, you’ve touched on what is challenging for so many of us (myself included). I am referring to the challenge of slowing down and waiting on the Lord.
Looks like a very interesting and inspiring read. Thanks for sharing, I can’t wait to read it!
Thanks Karen. It is both interesting and inspiring.
Thanks for the interview. This looks like a book I would greatly enjoy. My struggle as a middle aged adult Christian is so often now finding a way to continue to passionately seek to know and serve Jesus yet live…”trusting him with outcomes” and experiencing “The promise of Jesus( is )that, as we learn to walk with him in our daily lives, we will live more lightly and freely.”
Patty, I suspect that many of us can relate to the struggle that you express. I know I can!
The comment that, “our daily lives at home and work and in the community should be the primary place for our formation in Christ,” really strikes me because I am reading and listening to Eugene Peterson’s “Practice Resurrection” and that point is woven all through the book. I, too, am working on “Discovering Our Spiritual Identity,” rolling it around in my mouth like good wine (except for months!). What I really look forward to is reading it a second and a third time, then going through it with a group. Wonderful stuff. Very grateful.
Thanks Peter! Love your comment. I suspect our interests and questions regarding formation would be very different if we believed that our daily lives at home, work, and the community were the primary place for formation. Thanks so much.