#23 How C. S. Lewis saved my book
On being a disciple who wrote for the wrong audience
I hope you will still like me as your agent after this! :-)
These were the words written on Friday, June 17, 2022, by my agent, Don Pape, after reading the first draft of my book, which later became Parallel Faith, available this September.
Don has over thirty years of publishing experience having worked at such houses as Doubleday, WaterBrook and NavPress. He has worked with the likes of Madeleine L’Engle, Louie Giglio, Francis Chan, Pete Greig and Eugene Peterson. So when he offers constructive feedback, his opinion is worth listening to, even if it stings at first!
I had written a version of my book with the draft title "Before We Begin: The Power of Pre-discipleship," which we had pitched to several publishers. While waiting to hear from any interested parties (which can take a long time in the world of publishing), I decided to finish writing the book in my spare time.
The first version of the manuscript was written for church ministers and those in Christian ministry positions, championing the idea of putting discipleship back at the heart of all we do.
Nervously, I sent the draft to Don for review, and on a fine day in Sunny Colorado, Don printed out the entire manuscript and read it in a coffee shop before sending me an email with the title……
"Well..."
And when I read that first line, I gulped:
"I hope you will still like me as your agent after this! :-)"
Don lovingly and gently identified the main issue with Draft 1:
"Dave, I’m wrestling with the audience for you, and I really think you/we would be best served by targeting the average Christian, not the professionals or seasoned clergy."
He went on in his notes to say:
"Each intro/chapter is far too long. We need to make this all palpable, bite-size for the reader. And secondly, I think your voice is targeting more the 'insider' seasoned church person familiar with terms like discipleship, et al. Let's discuss this. Who is the reader? Is it the inner sanctum, church leadership, or is it the average person pew sitter—or even the Christ-follower who has been sitting it out more recently, wanting to follow Jesus but frankly a little jaded about Church, big 'C'?"
So the first version of my book had chapters that were too long. I could take that feedback, I guess. But the stinger was his comment about the audience. The problem was this…
Don was right.
I suddenly realised I had fallen foul of the very trap that I had originally wanted to avoid. Discipleship was never meant just for the professionals…
So I rewrote the whole book from scratch!
Don Pape (not to be confused with C.S. Lewis).
C.S. Lewis to the rescue
A few days earlier I had sent Don an email (as I often do because he is my friend before he is my agent) sharing an experience I had on a day trip to Oxford with the family. What we didn't realise was how significant one particular walk would be in defining the spirit of what the book would become.
Magdalen College- of C.S. Lewis Fame. 📷 Taken June 2022.
Dear Don
Today Leah, myself, and our two youngest children, Micah and Sienna, took a stroll on the legendary Addison's Walk which is part of Magdalen College in Oxford. In September 1941, Lewis, Tolkien and their friend Dyson, took a formative journey one night along that same loop. The discussions that took place became instrumental in CS Lewis’s conversion to Christianity. They talked about everything from “metaphor to myth” and in Lewis’s retelling to his friend Arthur Greeves, the discussion that started on Addison's Walk lasted well into the early hours of the morning:
“We continued (in my room) on Christianity: a good long satisfying talk in which I learned a lot: then discussed the difference between love and friendship—then finally drifted back to poetry and books.”
The next day Lewis fully gave his life to Christ.
In that conversation on Addison's Walk, strongholds must have been broken, barriers removed, eyes opened, and hearts softened. What a journey! What a conversation!
If it wasn’t for that walk that day, perhaps we would never have known the legacy of Lewis in the same way we do in 2022. Maybe he would have been just another secular scholar destined for obscurity?
Addison's Walk is a quintessentially English looped path that parallels the Oxford Canal. There is just enough space for two people to walk side by side - it is designed for human connection. Today in the balmy Oxford sun, I imagined I was walking with Lewis, Dyson and Tolkien and I strained to listen to the lingering conversations of history.
After treading that path, whenever I think about discipleship now, I will see it as walking side by side with people, leading them towards an encounter with Christ. I will think about what it means to explore, to be curious, to listen, to allow space for questions, and not to rush a single step. I want to be like Dyson and Tolkien because I could be walking with the next Lewis!
I pray that everyone will find their Addison's Walk and someone to journey with them on it.
May we not be the ones who set up stumbling blocks, diversions, distractions or “no entry” signs for those who are desperate for God. Rather let us be those that create a straight path for people as we prepare the way for Jesus in their lives! This is the essence of pre-discipleship.
A voice is calling, “Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God. Isaiah 40:3
It was a profound afternoon, and you were the first person I wanted to share it with.
Have a blessed week
Dave
The path that Tolkien and Lewis took 📷 Taken June 2022.
Inspired by Addison’s Walk
It was on that stroll around Addison’s Walk whilst pondering CS Lewis that the concept of the side-by-side journey (think parallel) came into creative clarity. There was I, unintentionally advocating for a top-down approach to discipleship, when it was always about walking alongside others on their journey to Christ.
Perhaps this is the heart of the challenge for modern christendom? No wonder I couldn’t see the right path forward straight away.
Thankfully, soon after this walk, Parallel Faith was born. I am pleased to say it is a book that is all about the average Christian like you and me! And I could not be more excited to share it with you in September.
Parallel Faith invites Christians to discover a simple and empowering approach to evangelism and discipleship, focused on walking alongside others and meeting them where they are. Full of practical tools, real-world wisdom and insightful inspiration, the book will encourage every believer to confidently share their faith and make disciples without deferring to platforms and professionals.
And in even better news… the chapters are short too!
A walk in Oxford may have cemented my thinking on the discipleship process, but it was the insight of my agent that reminded me who discipleship is really for. It was never just about the platforms, the professionals, or the pastors - it was always about giving power to the people. Thanks Don.
COMING SOON!
Is your church interested in being part of the Parallel Faith Tour?
Designed to help your community rethink their understanding of discipleship, this 30 minute talk (delivered in-person or online) on SIDE-BY-SIDE Discipleship will help people take actionable steps to become effective disciple-makers. For more details, get in touch via daveboden2@gmail.com. Limited UK spaces available!
Pre-order Parallel Faith (UK)
For the best deal in the UK (as of June 2023) pre-order from Eden Books with FREE delivery.
I loved that day - I like that you leaned into a simple, beautiful experience and used it to inform your work x x
This is such a great “picture” of the power of discipleship to transform a person and bear fruit that spills over into generations. All flowing from face to face and heart to heart conversations inspired by the Spirit!