This week we get to learn more about Bob Kellemen, author of Equipping Counselors for Your Church: The 4E Ministry Training Strategy, Anxiety: Anatomy and Cure, and Sexual Abuse: Beauty for Ashes.

 

• Question #1 – Tell us a little bit about yourself: where you’re from, family, job, personal interests, unique hobbies, what do you do in your spare time, etc.

I was born and raised in Gary, Indiana. I did not grow up in a Christian home, but came to Christ as a freshmen in high school. I have been married to Shirley for 34 years. We have two young adult children and two grandchildren. I am the Executive Director of the Biblical Counseling Coalition and also the Elder Chairperson and Teaching Elder at Cornerstone Community Church in Hobart, IN. My wife and I live in Crown Point, Indiana, where we enjoy tennis, biking, hiking, and hosting large parties. I like to run and I am a fan of all Chicago professional sports teams.

 

• Question #2 – When did you first want to write a book?

I have always loved writing, but it was when I began as a seminary professor at Capital Bible Seminary that I really started thinking about writing a book. My students kept saying, “Your lecture notes are more helpful than any of the books you require on biblical counseling. You should write biblical counseling equipping books.” So I did!

 

• Question #3 – What inspired you to write this book, about this topic? If you choose this question and have published more than 1 book with us, please specify which book you are referring to.

I have published three books with P&R. I was inspired to write Equipping Counselors for Your Church because there had not been a book written on this topic in a generation. Since I have equipped counselors in three churches and since I taught seminary students and pastors how to equip counselors, I wanted to share some best practice wisdom with local church leaders.

I have also published Anxiety: Anatomy and Cure. I was motivated to write this booklet because few people have a practical theology of emotions, including anxiety. I wanted to share a unique biblical perspective on how even a distressing emotion like anxiety can be brought under the cross. The gospel provides a hope-filled journey from anxiety and fear to trust and peace.

I also published Sexual Abuse: Beauty for Ashes with P&R. My counseling ministry has focused or specialized in helping victims of sexual abuse. I wanted to share a gospel-centered message of healing hope—one where we look in particular at the story of Tamar’s abuse in 2 Samuel 13. In this passage we learn what the Bible teaches about the damage of sexual abuse and what the Bible teaches about God’s healing in Christ.

 

• Question #4 – What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

I love to help aspiring authors. Several of my books I co-authored with first-time writers and that has been a joy. Advice? Find your passion and your giftedness and even before you write about it—teach about it. Do a Sunday school lesson. Create a seminar. Then begin to manuscript what you are saying. Before you know it, you have created the foundation for a non-fiction book that has been tested in “the trenches of real life.”

 

• Question #5 – Favorite sport to watch? Why? Favorite sport’s team?

I love watching the Chicago Bears (football). Why? Hmm, maybe because I used to watch “Da Bears” with my dad when I was a child.

 

• Question #6 – Favorite animal? Why?

The American Bison. I collect bison art/carvings. Why? Our family went on a three-week Western vacation when our kids where in middle school. Our church was going through a difficult time. When I read about the “comeback” of the American Bison, it made me think of coming back from the brink and then also of Christ’s resurrection power. Since my personal ministry is called RPM Ministries (Resurrection Power Multipliers), I like the imagery of the Bison coming back from extinction. Christ’s power within us can renew everything.

 

• Question #7 – Lord of the Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia? Why?

Wow. That’s a tough question. I like both. We read The Chronicles of Narnia to our children when they were in elementary school—what wonderful memories. Because of that, I give the slight edge to Chronicles, but I am a big-time fan of both book series.

 

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Interested in learning more about Bob Kellemen and his work?

Visit his website: http://rpmministries.org

Follow him on Twitter: @BobKellemen

Like his Facebook Ministry page: RPM Ministries

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This week we have the pleasure of getting to know Shane Lems, author of The Doctrines of Grace: Student Edition.

• Question #1 – Tell us a little bit about yourself: where you’re from, family, job, personal interests, unique hobbies, what do you do in your spare time, etc.

I’m a husband, father of four, and the pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church (OPC) in Hammond, WI.  Before I came to Covenant Presbyterian, I was the church planter/pastor of the United Reformed Church in Sunnyside, WA.  Even before that, I graduated from Westminster Seminary California with an MDiv degree.  Still earlier in my life, I was in the United States Army Reserve for 6 years and worked in the auto parts industry – mostly in Northwest Iowa where I grew up in a solid Reformed Christian home.

• Question #2 – Which writers inspire you?

I try to read various authors and genres, and I typically go through phases in my reading.  For a while, I read almost every World War II book I could get my hands on.  I also went through an exploration phase – I read books about early expeditions to the Americas as well as expeditions to the North Pole.  When I lived in Washington State I also read up on the Lewis and Clark expedition.  I’ve even read a big handful of books on baseball and its history.  I suppose these books didn’t inspire me, but they fascinated me and helped me learn world history (and they improved my reading and writing ability!).

I also love stories, so I’ve been captivated by storybooks since I was young.  Of course, I love The Chronicles of Narnia and The Hobbit, but I also really enjoy other classics like Where the Red Fern Grows, My Side of the Mountain, and The Yearling – in fact, I read parts of The Yearling more than a few times.  For some reason, it captured me.  I also enjoy Andrew Peterson’s Wingfeather Saga series (and I highly recommend it!).

Concerning Christian authors, I have many books by Os Guinness, Eugene Peterson, Jerry Bridges, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  I suppose my favorite theological reading would be (in no specific order): Herman Bavinck, John Newton, St. Cyprian, Francis Turretin, John Calvin, Martin Luther, Thomas Brooks, and other various Puritans.

• Question #3 – Did you always enjoy writing?

I didn’t like to write when I was forced to write (i.e. in school), but I always did like to write for fun (I even kept a journal in Basic Training).

• Question #4 – What inspired you to write this book, about this topic?

I wrote this book about the doctrines of grace for one main reason: I couldn’t find one like it.  I was planning out a Sunday School class for teens and wanted a simple, readable, and brief study on the doctrines of grace.  There are a quite a few very good books on this topic, but not many that are short, simple, and to the point.

• Question #5 – What books are you reading now?

I’m actually reading a few John Grisham books for my “fun” reading – and I’m almost done with Martel’s bestselling novel, The Life of Pi.  For my studies, I’m reading a book on suffering by Timothy Keller (Walking With God Through Pain and Suffering) a book on biblicism, The Bible Made Impossible by Christian Smith, and I’m trying to finish Thomas Brooks’ Works (though that might take awhile!).

• Question #6 – Do you have a favorite author? Who is it and why?

This is a tough question, but I suppose it would be John Newton.  He was so very pastoral and grace-filled in his writing – he humbles the heart and while doing so, magnifies the grace of God.  All of his writing might be considered a commentary on Romans 5:20b.

• Question #7 – Do you have a favorite movie? What is it and why?

I’m not at all a movie buff; I only watched 3 movies last year.  But I liked Moneyball because I’m a baseball stats kind of guy.

• Question #8 – Do you have a favorite quote? What is it and why?

“God must come to us before we can go to him.”  (Geerhardus Vos)  I love that quote because it is a great summary of the gospel of grace.

• Question #9 – What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

1)      Don’t write a book that’s already been written.

2)      Don’t try to be trendy – trends come and go.

3)      Be patient, take your time, and sit on the book a year or two before sending it to the publisher.

• Question #10 – Do you have an interesting writing quirk?

I hate rough drafts, so my “first” draft usually turns out like a “third” draft (give or take).

• Question #11 – At what time of day do you write most?

Between 5AM and 3PM.  Almost never at night.

• Question #12 – How do you deal with writer’s block?

I quit writing and either go for a jog or check baseball scores.  I try very hard to be patient when writing – I want to think over a book for a few years before I send it in for publication.  Typically, I’m not rushed when I write so writer’s block isn’t such a big deal (though it is different when it comes to sermon writing!).

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Want to learn more about Shane Lems?

• Read his blog: www.reformedreader.wordpress.com
• Follow him on Twitter: @reformedread
• Like his Facebook Page: The Reformed Reader
• Visit his church’s website: www.covenantopc.net

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