Tell It Like It Is: Reclaiming the Practice of Testimony [Paperback]

Lillian Daniel (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 166 pages
• Publisher: The Alban Institute (December 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566993180
• ISBN-13: 978-1566993180
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #352,536 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lillian Daniel's newest book, This Odd and Wondrous Calling: The Public and Private Lives of Two Ministers, co-authored by Martin B. Copenhaver is a humorous and honest look at the ministry.


She is the author of the book Tell It Like It Is: Reclaiming the Practice of Testimony, which is the story of one church's attempt to get main line Protestants to talk to each other about God.



Lillian Daniel has served as the Senior Minister of the First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn, since 2004, a large church in the suburbs of Chicago. Before that, she spent fourteen years in Connecticut, going to grad school, growing up, raising a family and leading two churches, most recently the Church of the Redeemer, in New Haven, from 1996-2004.

Lillian also hosts the Chicago based public television program "30 Good Minutes," which airs on Sundays at5 pm on WTTW channel 11. You can also watch the show on line at 30goodminutes.org.

A contributing editor to the Christian Century Magazine, and to Leadership, her work has also appeared in Christianity Today, Books and Culture, the Journal for Preachers and in the daily email devotionals available at ucc.org.

She 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. In October 2010 she will receive a distinguished alumni award from Yale Divinity School for "Distinction in Congregational Ministry."

Lillian is married to Lou Weeks, 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...

Wait, there is no spare time.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Read for the ideas / concepts - not details or theology, June 2, 2007

By 

Richard L. Gerberding (Chillicothe, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tell It Like It Is: Reclaiming the Practice of Testimony (Paperback)

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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars REFRESHING!, July 18, 2009

By 

Douglas Brown "Megan Mullaly fan" (Asbury Park, NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tell It Like It Is: Reclaiming the Practice of Testimony (Paperback)

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.

5.0 out of 5 stars Tell It Like It Is: Reclaiming the Practice of Testimony, January 30, 2012

By 

mickquinas - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tell It Like It Is: Reclaiming the Practice of Testimony (Paperback)

Rev. Lillian Daniel provides excellent suggestions about ways to encourage congregations to reclaim the practice of faithful Christian witness. Her anecdotal style both effectively conveys the benefits of including testimony in worship and models the ways in which such narratives of divine encounter can be presented.