J.R. Briggs

Attempting to behold the miracle long enough without falling asleep

  • About

     

    Bio:

    J.R. Briggs serves as Cultural Cultivator of The Renew Community a Jesus community for skeptics and dreamers in Lansdale, PA – a suburb of Philadelphia, which he helped start. He is the founder of Kairos Partnerships an initiative that partners with leaders, pastors and church planters during significant kairos moments in ministry. As part of his time with Kairos Partnerships, he serves on staff with The Ecclesia Network and Fresh Expressions U.S. and coaches leaders, pastors and church planters across the country.

    He also oversees the Renew Apprenticeship Program, a year-long experiential program that equips, trains and teaches young leaders and pastors to become effective and faithful church planters for contextual ministry in the 21st century. He is the creator and curator of the Epic Fail Pastors Conference, which helps pastors embrace failure and grow to see failure as an invitation to growth and an opportunity for grace and healing, instead of shame. He is currently working on a book project with InterVarsity Press tentatively titled The Epic Fail Pastor, which will be out in lat 2013 or early 2014.

    He has had a blog for almost a decade, but has never helped write a Wikipedia entry. He will likely never outgrow the joy that comes from popping bubble wrap. He is also prone to put too much wasabi on his lunch from time to time.

    J.R. and his wife Megan have two sons, Carter and Bennett along with a pet goldfish named Goldwater Fitzpatrick (but affectionally refer to him as Goldie). They live in the heart of gritty Lansdale, PA.

    Education:

    B.A. Christian Education (Taylor University, Upland, IN)

    B.A. Biblical Literature (Taylor University, Upland, IN)

    Certificate of Youth Ministry (Taylor University, Upland, IN)

    Undergraduate studies at Jerusalem University College (Jerusalem, Israel)

    M.A. Missional Theology (Biblical Theological Seminary, Hatfield, PA)

    Interests:

    Reading. Skiing (snow and water). Hiking. Racquetball. Skydiving. The gym. Traveling. Basketball. Surfing. Canoeing. Birdwatching. Mascots. Spending time with my wife. Wrestling with my two sons. Experiencing culture. Michigan football. Phillies baseball. Duke basketball. Reese’s Pieces. Twizzlers.

    Books I’ve Written:

    The Epic Fail Pastor: InterVarsity Press (scheduled to release late 2013/early 2014)

    When God Says Jump: Biblical Stories to Inspire You To Risk Big NavPress/TH1NK

    Redefining Life for Men NavPress/TH1NK

    The Message // Remix: Solo NavPress (co-author, along with Eugene Peterson)

    What We Want To Say to Grads David C. Cook (contributor)

    Viral Hope: Good News from the Urbs to the Burbs (and everything in between) Ecclesia Press (contributor)

    Publications I’ve written articles for: 

    Discipleship Journal

    Leadership Journal (Pastors Magazine of Christianity Today)

    Out of Ur (online)

    Relevant Magazine

    Pray! Magazine

    Rev. Magazine

    Taylor University Alumni Magazine

    Favorite authors:

    Henri Nouwen. Eugene Peterson. Wendell Berry. Alan Hirsch. C. S. Lewis. Dallas Willard. Scot McKnight. Dietrich Bonhoeffer. St. Augustine. Miroslav Volf. Frederick Beuchner. Abraham Joshua Heschel. Dr. Seuss.

    Favorite music:

    James Taylor. U2. Coldplay. Mutemath. Johnny Cash. Mumford & Sons. Derek Webb. Weezer. Cake. The Cranberries. Beck. Miles Davis. Josh Garrells.

    Please note: the descriptions and opinions posted on this blog are made by the author and do not represent any other organization. In addition, comments made on this blog do not represent the opinions of the author and are the responsibility of the commenter.