Regular readers of this blog might remember my enthusiasm for the books by Simon Walker known as “the undefended leader” trilogy. I have posted lengthy blogs on each of the three books here, here, and here.
This morning I received an email from Simon Walker. Here are some extracts:
“Over the past six months I have written the draft of my new book, The Undefended Life. It’s a substantial text addressing what an undefended life actually looks like … it is the most radical, challenging piece of writing I have ever produced.
I am in conversation with a conventional publisher about production of a print version of the book to come out in early 2011. But the publishing world is changing rapidly; authors also need to take different routes to reach their audiences. I’ve decided therefore, that I am going to publish most of the full text of the book on this blog. The plan is to release a chapter every week, so that the book in total will be revealed over 17 consecutive weeks.
Obviously, the blog is freely available to anyone – so effectively I am giving my book away. Why have I decided to do this?
For one thing, paper is getting expensive – let’s not print things people aren’t going to read. For another, we live Post-Borders; booksellers are quaking – the internet generation increasingly demands content for free … But at a more philosophical level, by publishing my book on the web, I am inviting a collaborative editing process to take place. Text is now fluid; the web affords the opportunity for me to listen to you, and for you to be involved in the formation of a final text. Collaborative writing platforms such as Wiki have opened our eyes to the way of generating knowledge collectively. Whilst my book is not a text to be openly edited, it is a text to be openly commented on. And I will then revise the text accordingly. At some stage, I will close the blog and crystallise the final text into a solid form … When The Undefended Life becomes such an object, I hope your hand will have played a part in its formation, and I hope you will also want to buy a copy!”
An exciting and risky sort of project.
I encourage you to subscribe to the blog and be part of the conversation – and the eventual book.
nice chatting
Paul
About Me
the art of unpacking
After a childhood in India, a theological training in the USA and a pastoral ministry in Southland (New Zealand), I spent twenty years in theological education in New Zealand — first at Laidlaw College and then at Carey Baptist College, where I served as principal. In 2009 I began working with Langham Partnership and since 2013 I have been the Programme Director (Langham Preaching). Through it all I've cherished the experience of the 'gracious hand of God upon me' and I've relished the opportunity to 'unpack', or exegete, all that I encounter in my walk through life with Jesus.
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Thanks for this interesting link / resource
thanks for the link!