Brian Harris – författare

Dark Comedy / Flexible Casting; 2m, 1f or 6m, 3f / Simple Sets Tall Grass is a dark comedy comprised of three one-act plays. Each play requires two males and a female and the same three actors can play the roles for each play. THE BUSINESS PROPOSAL begins with a botched marriage proposal by a nice young man to his type-A girlfriend, who instead informs him that she has just accepted a position to become his boss. Over the next six-months the two try to sort out what they really want out of their professional and personal lives. The solution comes as a surprise, both to themselves and to the audience. The play also features a comic waiter and some voice-overs which can be done by the same actor. THE GERBIL is the story of a burglar caught breaking into the home of a dysfunctional couple, whose love for their daughter is the glue keeping their marriage together. The brutal ending reveals the harm their marriage has taken on the daughter, although she never appears on stage. In TALL GRASS we find an octogenarian couple fighting to maintain their independence. The arrival of a mysterious social worker tests the true extent of their resolve.

Does the Christian faith lack intellectual, moral and experiential credibility? These are the three most common accusations made against the Christian faith today. Brian Harris examines each of these arguments in turn by outlining the issue, looking at evidence against the claim before evaluating the argument as a whole. This book explores these questions in a rigorous but accessible way. It doesn't offer easy, solve-everything answers, but it does build a cumulative case based on reason, history and experience to suggest that God probably exists, and that the Christian understanding of God could well be valid. Content Benefits: By offering a serious look at the evidence that counters the growing assumption that the Christian faith lacks intellectual, moral and experiential credibility, this book allows the reader to make an informed decision about Christianity. Provides a counter argument to the claims made by the New AtheistsTackles the accusations that Christianity is intellectually vacuous, morally suspect and experientially emptyHarris does not try to 'prove' beyond all doubt, but presents cumulative evidence to make a rational and informed decisionBuilds a cumulative case for ChristianityIdeal for anyone who has doubts in their faithPerfect for anyone who wants to know if Christianity is trueSuitable for anyone who wants to explain their faith to othersIdeal resource for anyone studying apologeticsBinding - PaperbackPages - 160Publisher - Paternoster

Leadership in the church really matters, but sadly it is often undermined by toxic leaders hitting the headlines. Yet often the most spiritual people in the church do not make strong leaders. So how can we square the circle? Stirrers and Saints offers a timely appeal for Christians of all personality types to answer God's call to be leaders in the church, stirring things up and providing 'saintly' leadership. By exploring spiritual formation practices, studying biblical leaders, and providing practices to help us become leaders, Brian Harris provides practical resources to raise godly leaders who can lead well. Debunking the myth that only 'charismatic' personalities make good leaders, Stirrers and Saints empowers godly people to step into their leadership calling, whatever their leadership style, and lead well from a place of spiritual maturity. Stirrers and Saints will help:*Leaders become more effective and spiritually mature*Provide training resources for ministry teams*Develop and nurture new leaders *Encourage people to step into leadership roles*Create and sustain healthy churchesFull of practical and biblical insight, Stirrers and Saints provides a valuable resource to help churches develop and sustain healthy leadership teams that can lead well both theologically and pastorally.

The Tortoise Usually Wins is a delightful exploration of the theory of quiet leadership. Written for reluctant leaders, it interacts with three key biblical images of leadership - the leader as servant, shepherd and steward - and links them with some of the key virtues of quiet leadership - modesty, restraint, tenacity, interdependence and other-centeredness. Exploding the myth that the good is the enemy of the best, it argues that the reverse is more often true, with images of unattainable perfection crippling competent people from getting on with the task of doing genuinely good things. The book strips leadership of some of its mystique, arguing that the bulk of leadership is about helping groups decide the right things to do and then getting on and doing them in an atmosphere that brings the best out of others. Brian Harris is the principal of a highly regarded theological seminary and also pastors a thriving local church, so the book carries the wisdom of both professor and pastor, satisfying the reader both intellectually and practically. These insights are supplemented by interviews with significant quiet leaders from around the world, ensuring a rich feast for prospective and current reluctant leaders. 'Books on leadership are today two a penny. Just occasionally, however, one of these books might stand head and shoulders above most of the others, and to my delight The Tortoise Usually Wins falls into that category. Furthermore, so many books on leadership are written for natural leaders; whereas, as the author makes clear, most churches are led by "quiet leaders" who know they are not great, but nonetheless, are "tenacious and committed to the task and willing to work co-operatively with others to achieve it". I can see many church leaders benefitting from this book. I warmly commend this unusual book.'Paul Beasley-Murray, Senior Minister, Central Baptist Church, Chelmsford; Chair of Ministry Today UK

A firm understanding of our faith is increasingly important in a world of differing beliefs and perspectives. If we do not have the knowledge to underpin our beliefs we are in danger of appearing shallow to unimpressed onlookers. What we really need is the building blocks of faith. We need a sense of how what we believe will work out in practice. This accessible yet thought-provoking book equips us with the key building blocks of the Christian faith. From these strong foundations, an authentic and robust Christian faith can thrive as we live and work in the secular arena. Discover solid biblical foundations to live out a confident faith in an ever-changing context.

Following the huge success of The Tortoise Usually Wins, 2012, and TheBig Picture, 2015, in When Faith Turns Ugly Brian Harris explores whythe Christian faith sometimes wears two masks - usually life-serving andtransforming, but occasionally escapist, illusionary and even poisonous.What are the warning signs that faith is at risk of turning toxic? What dowe mean by the conviction that the gospel liberates? Brian Harris' take onwhat constitutes life-serving faith is refreshing and will be appreciated byall who would like to be sure that their obedience to Jesus the Christ willhelp to build a world with a better name.