Mark Scandrette is friend of mine and somebody I have great admiration for. We served together on the board of an organization in the Bay Area, and I have grown to respect his insight to our culture, our shared faith, and our future as followers of Jesus. Mark and I are very different people, but in some ways we are much alike. We both love Zinfandel, for instance, and we both believe in the need for new wineskins.

So I jumped at the chance to read Mark’s new book. And no, he did not send me a copy for free. I had to buy it. I always thought of Mark as generous, but maybe … hmmm … well, whatever. He’s also, apparently, stingy with his praise because he gives many mutual friends kudos for their help with the book, but ignores me and my comments about his draft on one chapter. No, I’m not bitter or anything about that. No, of course not.

Seriously, Practicing the Way of Jesus is a book that should establish Mark as one of the creative thinkers in the Church realm. His ideas — along with the ideas from his cohorts — on how to actually practice what it means to follow Jesus are wonderful. Unorthodox to be sure, but still great steps. Practical, usually simple, and yet deeply challenging, the practices here are a far cry from those of the ancient saints. Or even from Dallas Willard. These are contemporary practices that translate well into our culture. And they seem to be transformative.

Here’s what I like about Mark. He goes one step further than think about such practices; he actually does them. These experiments, as one might call them, are highly creative. Mark shares his experiences and insights as he walks through a host of steps that can range from brilliant to goofy (or at least what I think is goofy). In the end, it’s a book of practical steps for broadening and deepening our faith.

So get a copy of this book. You won’t be disappointed. Unless, of course, he’s a friend of yours and doesn’t send you a copy. Or give you a mention in the acknowledgments section. But no, I’m not bitter …