Greetings FaithONCampus.com friends!

I don’t typically address you as a community, but for the sake of full-disclosure, I wanted to give you an update on some of the things that will be happening here on the blog in the coming months.

I am embarking on the journey of writing my first book.

No, no book deal to speak of yet… but I’m trusting that it will come in good time.

Not long after I completed my doctoral dissertation at the end of 2005, I began to wonder — and think — and eventually dream about writing a book that might serve as a guide for the spiritual journey of college students during their formative college years.

For at least 5 years now I’ve waited — often impatiently — for the right time to start this project. In fact, there have even been a few “false starts” as I’ve launched in, only to have something major interject itself into my life (like moving, creating new positions and hiring new staff, having a few children — which were all planned by the way… and you get the picture). And I sincerely hope that this is not another false start — but the beginning of a new and exciting stream of ministry that God has been preparing me for.

I guess time will ultimately tell.

And no, I’m not quitting my “day job” here at BU. Much of this project ties directly into my life and ministry with college students here at BU. Much like this blog, my research and writing will be designed not only to bring shape to this book, but even more so, my ministry with students.  I have, however, decided not to teach in the fall — so in that regard there are some new levels of both faith and commitment being exercised.

Faith that God will continue to provide me with the kinds of relational opportunities that I would normally get from being in the classroom with students who may, or may not, ever choose to be a part of our ministry on campus.

And commitment in this sense of both time and attention. By giving up my class I’m freeing up a number of hours in my weekly schedule and I’m hoping that some of that can be claimed for working on this project.

And all of this leads me to this blog and you — the faithful readers — I wanted you to know that:

1. I don’t know how all of this is going to impact my blogging schedule. I’m still hopeful to have fresh content here consistently throughout the week… but we’ll see how that goes.
2. It is likely that a good portion of my content this summer will be directly related to this book — which, I think, will be of interest to you — so I hope that doesn’t keep you away. I’ll try to designate “book-related” material with a #CriticalYears tag or something — just to help distinguish this material from my “normal” blog content.
3. I’m hopeful that you’ll see this approach to writing/blogging as a chance to help shape this book — as I can envision exploring different themes, ideas and even excerpts here — and I’d love your feedback, comments and questions. YOUR insights will be invaluable in terms of making this something that college students everywhere will want to read — and live out! I may even include YOUR comments and give you credit!
4. I’d welcome your prayers and encouragement along the way! I really hope to put forth something that will be used by God in a might way… and something you would want to recommend to your students! Something that will both encourage and challenge them in making their faith central to their college experience and living a life fully abandoned to Jesus.
5. Finally, my summer (and this project) starts now! No, students haven’t quite left yet, but as we transition into finals week I need to start ramping up this process… because we all know how — with the blink of an eye — we can find ourselves in the ides of July… wondering what in the heck happened to our summer.

SO… that’s that.

If you want to know more feel free to leave a question or comment in the comment section below and I’ll make sure to respond.

Thanks friends!  And happy ‘end of the year’ to you!!