Matt Rogers’ New Book

26 Mar 2008 / Mike / events

In January of 2006, Matt Rogers announced to nlcf during a talk on setting goals that one of his goals for the year was to write a book and become a published author. He had always written and loved writing (and is very good at it), but had never taken on the challenge to write a full book. How many people actually do? He always said he would do it someday, but here, in a bold step of faith, he asked hundreds of people to keep him accountable to actually do it… to make “someday” now.

Well, in January of 2007 he gave a follow-up talk to his goals talk from the year before. He shared with the congregation that he had finished the manuscript and was in talks with different potential publishers. Within 2007 he not only saw the first book get chosen to be published, but was also approached to write a second book (which is being released first), loosely based off the 4/16 tragedy at VA Tech. He has written the book, edited it, and it is now sitting in my hands in its published form. The book, “When Answers Aren’t Enough—Experiencing God as Good When Life Isn’t,” is set to release April 1st. (The first book he wrote will be released later this November!)

Many of you have wondered what it was like for us during that tragedy in April, how we as a church handled the situation and what we were feeling. This book offers insight into the experience through Matt’s perspective.

“Many books have dealt with the theological and intellectual question, ‘How can God be good when the world isn’t?’ But when tragedy strikes, and the pain passes from theoretical to personal, answers can feel hollow and empty. ‘I wasn’t looking for answers,’ Rogers says. ‘I knew the answers. I was searching for a way to experience God as good when the world around me appeared dark and hopeless.’”

Having walked through the time here, Matt’s book has been very therapeutic for me to read. I believe it will also be good for people all over the world who cried, prayed and empathized with us during the tragedy.

One particular person, who helped us walk through this tragedy was well-loved author Philip Yancey. We invited him to come in and speak the second Sunday after everything had happened. Since then he and Matt have developed a good friendship. Here’s what he had to say about the book.

“No campus pastor should have to face the questions Matt Rogers did after the shooting at his school, Virginia Tech. Then again, can any of us avoid these very questions? Tempered by tragedy, Matt explores both doubt and hope, and emerges with compassionate wisdom.”

One of the things we are hoping to do as a community is to support Matt in his writing. We are asking our church that if they would like to purchase the book, for us all to purchase it on April 1st on Amazon. This will help the book, which I believe will be able to minister to people across the world, to be noticed by booksellers.

You can go here, or you can just type in Matt Rogers at Amazon.com. We love you all and wanted to share this faith step from my friend and co-pastor with you. If you do read it, I hope it will minister to your heart, as it has mine.