Speak Ye First the Kingdom: A Mainline Pastor's Journey to Abundance

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The Rev. Dr. Kamila Blessing is a gifted writer with the sensitivity to reflect on multiple levels of analysis, from individual, interpersonal and systemic points of view. She is a wonderfully spiritual woman of faith who shares her personal insights, not just on the conceptual level, but her experiential knowledge also. Dr. Frank M. Yesko Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychology Community College of Allegheny County Speak Ye First the Kingdom is one part Susan Howatch novel, one part minister's manual and one part fundraising resource, with generous sprinklings of 20th century history from the viewpoint of an intriguing family, church maneuvering and theology thrown in. Kamila Blessing narrates her journey into the abundance of God within communities of faith that want to know this abundance but often serve as their own worst enemy. Her escapades, wounds and triumphs captivate the reader, whether lay or clergy, and before they know it, BOOM comes the spiritual insight and practical next steps. This work incorporates Kamila's many life experiences, academic interests and encounters with God into a rich and complex story of learning to trust God for all things, then leading others to do the same. Each chapter ends with a Prayer Starter to send us into our own journey into abundance. Readers will find themselves rereading entire chapters as if savoring a dense and flavorful dessert. Groups that read this book together will find much to discuss. Kamila Blessing has been an Episcopal priest for 27 years and served more than a dozen denominations as teacher, consultant, mediator, and editor of Christian Education materials. She has shepherded more than 20 congregations toward increased giving based upon the spiritual growth of the congregation-sometimes more than doubling the funding base of the church. She believes people will not give unless they feel fulfilled and nurtured by family, church, and above all, the love of God. Also important is the analysis of communication patterns (seen and unseen) in which the life of the church is really lived. Blessing often says that if she preaches only the love of God for all people for her entire pastorate, it will be the work of a lifetime. It is important to Blessing to stand explicitly for traditional Christianity, and let the members reason out for themselves whether they should believe, but in the face of one who does.