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 seeks to 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.

    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 of the Epic Fail Pastors Conference, which helps pastors embrace failure and grow it see failure as an opportunity for grace and healing instead of shame.

    And he’s prone to put too much wasabi on his lunch.

    J.R. and his wife Megan have two sons, Carter and Bennett, and 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. Hiking. Racquetball. Skydiving. Hitting 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 & Gobstoppers.

    Books I’ve Written:

    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)

    Relevant Magazine

    Pray! Magazine

    Favorite authors:

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

    Favorite music:

    James Taylor. U2. Coldplay. Mutemath. Johnny Cash. Jack Johnson. Jon Foreman. Derek Webb. Weezer. Cake. The Cranberries. Beck. Miles Davis. Josh Garrells.