This week I’m giving away THREE copies of Andy Crouch‘s book, Playing God: Redeeming the Gift of Power. Andy is the executive editor of Christianity Today, where he was also executive producer of This Is Our City, a multi-year project featuring documentary video, reporting and essays about Christians seeking the flourishing of their cities. He served as executive producer for the documentary films Where Faith and Culture Meet and Round Trip. He also sits on the editorial board for Books & Culture and has been a columnist for Christianity Today.
I recently had the chance to ask Andy a few questions about his book:
Margaret: What has been the greatest encouragement in your writing experience?
Andy: By far my greatest encouragement is when I actually manage to finish something. 🙂 I am a very, very slow writer, and the longer the assignment the slower I am (two books in ten years). This is not good for my career, humanly speaking, and there is a fair amount of sin and perfectionism bound up in my slowness. But the slowness also comes from a certain amount of care and craft. And when I do actually finish a book, I feel a deep sense of gratitude and confidence that it is done, that it is well done, and that it is worth sharing. That will only sound prideful if you skip over the years of agony, anxiety, and effort that precede it!
Who should read Playing God and why?
You should read Playing God if you have become aware that you have power, or privilege, or both, and are wondering whether it is possible to use it well. So I hope new parents will read it–no one has more power than parents do over their children!
I hope people graduating from college will read it–a college degree grants both power and privilege, even if it doesn’t always lead to a job. 🙂 And I hope anyone who feels a sense of responsibility for others’ flourishing will read it, because what the book is really about is how our own power, however much or little we have, can be used to help others flourish.
Check out the trailer for Playing God: Redeeming the Gift of Power: (RSS Subscribers, click here to view.)
To win ONE of THREE copies of Playing God, enter a comment on the original blog post at MargaretFeinberg.com. Winners will be selected and announced on Friday.
Congratulations to the winners: Andrea, JZM, Joannie
Wow, Margaret, you keep adding to my reading list. It is such a beautiful responsibility to guide and lead others. I love the thought that our main role as leaders/guiders is for those we are helping to see God in us, in all we do, in all we say, in who we are. Thank you.
I have several people in mind with whom I would love to share this book.
We need to use power well in all areas of our life…home, work, and church.. Sounds like a needed resource.
This is the first I have heard of this book, and I would love to read it.I have been a believer for many years, and I walk in community with believers who love Christ passionately. Of late we have spent not a little time re-discovering the unfathomable grace of God – and coming to grips with the fact that we have not wielded our areas of responsibility well. Amen for mercy…..Can’t wait to recommend this book for our next study~
Sounds like a must read…we must use wisely what God has entrusted. Will share this with my daughter, a recent college graduate.
I would love to read this book!
Sounds like an amazing book and a good read. As a homeschooling mom of two I think this book could be of great benefit.
Thank you Margaret for this giveaway.
Blessings.
xoxo
I’m even more excited to read this!
This sounds like an excellent book. Power, influence and helping others to flourish in home life, daycare, and church how is this not a beneficial thing? Would love to own it.
Sounds like something I need to read and share with others.
Thanks for the opportunity! God bless. 🙂
I would love an opportunity to read and teach other women i lead for mentoring. We all have an influence and how we use that power matters. I have never seen a book with this concept. I appreciate the title it is bold and tells of the magnitude of the responsibility and how we want to lead people to Christ and His leading in their life. I think this book would be challenging and rewarding to read plus convicting.
A insightful book to help leaders to properly engage and influence followers and peers. I’d love to find a copy!
I’m excited to read Andy Crouch’s newest book, Playing God: Redeeming the Gift of Power. It’s subtitle alone is a stirring reminder that the power afforded us is a ‘gift’ to be exercised for God’s purposes, and not merely our own. Thank you Margaret for the introduction and sharing this opportunity.
I’m ready to read!
I want Jesus ro be my everything, everyday!
I am pursuing graduate studies in parenting, and definitely understand the immense “power” parents have over their children. Would love to read this book to see the Christian perspective of how parents can use this “power” for His glory.
I have just started to realize that it is God who circumcises our hearts to love Him with all our heart and soul. I kept trying to get myself, husband and children to do this. God is the power behind all good things, I have to be willing to let Him flow through me. I cannot generate His power only be the conduit of it. Sounds like a book I need at this time in my journey. Will be requesting it for Christmas if I don’t win a copy 🙂 Thanks for the opportunity
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Wow! I think the thing I need to work on most is being humble in it all!
Sounds like this is just what I need to read at this time.
Healing love to you, Margaret ♥ ♥
Anything written by Andy is great!
I’d love to add this to our staff library at our small Christian school in Germany!!
Interesting idea. I always associated power with evil, especially considering the way Jesus wielded weakness as his way of Kingdom Come. But I’m up for being challenged.
I would love to have a copy of this book. I am a blogger and would someday love to write a book myself. I love reading other peoples work. This book sounds intriguing. Timothy 1:7 God has not given us a spirit of fear but of POWER, love and self control. Thanks Margaret
Thank you for your ministry. God bless you, Margaret.
This sounds to be an amazing book, to encourage, strengthen, and guide. It would be a wonderful addtion!
Sounds like an interesting read
Margaret,
I trust your recommendations. YOU have great power. Thanks for the opportunity to possibly win a copy of this book.
I would love to read this!