Lillian Daniel is the author of the 2013 book When Spiritual But Not Religious is Not Enough: Seeing God in Surprising Places, Even the Church, and two other books, This Odd and Wondrous Calling and Tell It Like It Is.
Ordained in the United Church of Christ, Lillian Daniel has served as the Senior Minister of the First Congregational Church, Glen Ellyn, Illinois, since 2004, and before that she served two churches in Connecticut.
An editor at large for the Christian Century Magazine, and a contributing editor at Leadership Journal, her work appears in The Huffington Post, Christianity Today, Books and Culture, The Journal for Preachers and in the Stillspeaking Daily Devotionals.
She is featured in Animate: Faith, the new adult formation DVD series from Sparkhouse. Twice, her work has been featured on the PBS television show, Religion and Ethics Newsweekly. She hosted the Chicago based public television program 30 Good Minutes.
A frequent speaker around the country, Lillian has preached at the National Cathedral, Duke Chapel, Howard University and the Festival of Homiletics. She has lectured to clergy at Kings College, London, Queen's College, Ontario, and will speak this summer to preachers in Denmark.
A graduate of Bryn Mawr College, Lillian has taught preaching at Yale Divinity School, Chicago Theological Seminary, and the University of Chicago Divinity School. She serves on the Board of Trustees of Chicago Theological Seminary and the Board of Advisors at Yale Divinity School. She is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College and Yale Divinity School, where in 2010, she received a distinguished alumni award for "Distinction in Congregational Ministry."
Lillian is married to Lou Weeks, a labor union organizer who chose not to take her name when they got married back in 1991. She is the mother of two teenagers, Calvin and Abigail Weeks, and therefore in need of constant prayer.
In her spare time, Lillian enjoys the following hobbies...
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
As you read this book, be thinking "how could I apply this in my church?" (or business meetings, or...). Daniel shares how the practice of testimony evolved in the congregation she led, and her honesty was encouraging that she didn't claim that her and the leadership mapped out exactly what would work or wouldn't. The details of how testimony was shared at her church may be far different than what would work in mine or yours, but the practice of people opening up who they are to learn about themselves and others is what is the central point - not that you apply it in an identical way.
Prior to reading this book we have already implemented some of the ideas, and have developed others, but this book has helped to firm up the commitment to the need for testimony as well as bring up some potential pitfalls that might require some additional thought.
I have some fairly strong differences of opinions theologically and socially than the author, but that does not detract from the value that testimonies will bring to any group - at church or elsewhere. In one respect I am thankful for our differences as it was through an article in which Daniel was quoted criticizing another's book / ideas on ministry (written by a friend and that has had a big impact on my own ministry and the church I attend)that led me do a quick internet search about who she was - that led me to finding this book.
If you refuse to read anything that does not line up 100% with your beliefs, this book may not be useful to you. If you're willing to continue reading and acknowledge that differences of opinions exist and despite that there is something to be learned, then your ministry and leadership may be greatly improved through the ideas/concepts in this book.
Prior to reading this book we have already implemented some of the ideas, and have developed others, but this book has helped to firm up the commitment to the need for testimony as well as bring up some potential pitfalls that might require some additional thought.
I have some fairly strong differences of opinions theologically and socially than the author, but that does not detract from the value that testimonies will bring to any group - at church or elsewhere. In one respect I am thankful for our differences as it was through an article in which Daniel was quoted criticizing another's book / ideas on ministry (written by a friend and that has had a big impact on my own ministry and the church I attend)that led me do a quick internet search about who she was - that led me to finding this book.
If you refuse to read anything that does not line up 100% with your beliefs, this book may not be useful to you. If you're willing to continue reading and acknowledge that differences of opinions exist and despite that there is something to be learned, then your ministry and leadership may be greatly improved through the ideas/concepts in this book.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
How is a congregation shaped as its members share their stories in worship? And how does telling one's story shape that person's faith? These are the questions that lie at the heart of Tell it Like it is: Reclaiming the Practice of Testimony, by Lillian Daniels. Daniels tells the story of the practice of testimony within the congregation she was leading, a practice which became an important aspect of their worship and, like a stone thrown into still water, its effects rippled through the congregation.
Daniels led a congregation within the United Church of Christ (UCC), a faith tradition that she describes as being less-acquainted with having its members share their personal stories of faith than other traditions. As her congregation began its experiment with testimony they believed that they were recapturing a practice described in a number of places in the Bible. While there are varied accounts of testimony in the Bible they are consistent in this: "People of faith are called to testify to God's power and presence in their lives, and in the New Testament this is a call to proclaim Christ." (xvii) This explicit understanding of testimony led them to define it simply as "a spoken word in the context of worship, and it could not omit God." (xiv)
Daniel's congregation began their use of testimony during the season of Lent, with leaders of the congregation taking turns sharing a moment when God was present in their life. The person sharing didn't have any firm guidelines beyond the definition above, which provided a wonderful variety to the types of things that people chose to share. As time went on a people from all parts of the congregation took part in the practice. They were young and old, long-time members, new members and even some non-members who had been in the habit of worshipping there.
Reflecting on the experience after she left the congregation whose testimony the book is drawn from, Daniels writes, "It is my thesis that the practice of testimony strengthened the bonds among us as a community and drew us closer to God as individuals and as a community." (13) I would say that she successfully demonstrates that there is much for a congregation to gain from the practice of testimony.
There are times when we may have powerful experiences of God, but we may only share them with our closest friends. And at the other end of the scale are those moments of group fellowship after worship when we may only share the most superficial of things, omitting God completely from the conversation. Testimony can be an intermediate place of relationship building, both for members of the congregation among themselves and as individuals with God.
Testimony involves risk. The risk is that seemingly universal concern over what people may think about us after hearing what we have to say. But perhaps there is a greater risk, the risk that the very words we are being led to speak go unsaid, and in that silence the possibility of God using us as his instrument is passed by.
Daniels has written a book that encourages congregations to use testimony as a part of their witness in the world. In reading it I am also reminded that God has called me, and all who follow Christ, to be his witnesses, both in church and in the interpersonal relationships we have every day.
Daniels led a congregation within the United Church of Christ (UCC), a faith tradition that she describes as being less-acquainted with having its members share their personal stories of faith than other traditions. As her congregation began its experiment with testimony they believed that they were recapturing a practice described in a number of places in the Bible. While there are varied accounts of testimony in the Bible they are consistent in this: "People of faith are called to testify to God's power and presence in their lives, and in the New Testament this is a call to proclaim Christ." (xvii) This explicit understanding of testimony led them to define it simply as "a spoken word in the context of worship, and it could not omit God." (xiv)
Daniel's congregation began their use of testimony during the season of Lent, with leaders of the congregation taking turns sharing a moment when God was present in their life. The person sharing didn't have any firm guidelines beyond the definition above, which provided a wonderful variety to the types of things that people chose to share. As time went on a people from all parts of the congregation took part in the practice. They were young and old, long-time members, new members and even some non-members who had been in the habit of worshipping there.
Reflecting on the experience after she left the congregation whose testimony the book is drawn from, Daniels writes, "It is my thesis that the practice of testimony strengthened the bonds among us as a community and drew us closer to God as individuals and as a community." (13) I would say that she successfully demonstrates that there is much for a congregation to gain from the practice of testimony.
There are times when we may have powerful experiences of God, but we may only share them with our closest friends. And at the other end of the scale are those moments of group fellowship after worship when we may only share the most superficial of things, omitting God completely from the conversation. Testimony can be an intermediate place of relationship building, both for members of the congregation among themselves and as individuals with God.
Testimony involves risk. The risk is that seemingly universal concern over what people may think about us after hearing what we have to say. But perhaps there is a greater risk, the risk that the very words we are being led to speak go unsaid, and in that silence the possibility of God using us as his instrument is passed by.
Daniels has written a book that encourages congregations to use testimony as a part of their witness in the world. In reading it I am also reminded that God has called me, and all who follow Christ, to be his witnesses, both in church and in the interpersonal relationships we have every day.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
As a second year seminarian, I loved Daniel's fresh approach to testimony. THose in the UCC and other mianline denominations have stepped away from testimony, viewing it as an outdated tradition. Daniel reminds the reader of the importance and transforming power of our individual stories.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tell It Like It Is: Reclaiming the Practice of Testimony
Rev. Lillian Daniel provides excellent suggestions about ways to encourage congregations to reclaim the practice of faithful Christian witness. Read more
Published 15 months ago by mickquinas
5.0 out of 5 stars
a message for the church
I have yet to fully review it. I can comment on a few things - I liked the Amazon service that allowed me to buy this book in used condition. Read more
Published on August 14, 2010 by lover of Jesus
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