First published 2022
Nadia Bolz-Weber combines memoir, theology, and sharp wit to chronicle her unexpected path to ministry. The heavily tattooed, straight-talking author never imagined herself as pastoral material until she conducted a funeral in a smoky downtown comedy club. Surrounded by recovering alcoholics, people battling depression, and stand-up comedians, she discovered her true congregation. Bolz-Weber mixes irreverent humor with theological insight as she explores how grace operates in messy, imperfect lives. Her spiritual journey unfolds through personal stories and candid reflections that challenge conventional religious thinking. The author argues that transformation happens not despite our flaws but through honest acknowledgment of our broken humanity. This updated edition presents faith as something raw and authentic rather than polished and sanitized. Bolz-Weber shows how a loving, forgiving God meets people exactly where they are, offering hope to those who feel excluded from traditional religious spaces.
Genres: christian, autobiography, memoir, non-fiction, biography-memoir, 21st-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, personal-journey
240 pages · Paperback · Canterbury Press Norwich