An Interview with Brian L. Harbour
1. How would you describe your calling and mission as a writer and as a Christian?
My personal mission statement is to maximize myself while at the same time maximizing others. I've tried to apply this "win/win" approach to life as a Christian. My writing ministry also grows out of this mission statement, particularly my latest book. I'm convinced that many of us shoot ourselves in the foot by our anger and worry, etc., and as a result we limp through our Christian lives instead of enjoying the John 10:10 abundant life Jesus wants us to have. I wrote this book to provide some help for all of us as we overcome these self-inflicted hindrances.
2. Which books have had the greatest impact on your ministry?
Richard Foster's Celebration of Discipline has influenced me as much as any single book. Also at the top of my list are Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Also, earlier in my ministry biographies of Elton Trueblood and Harry Emerson Fosdick were especially meaningful.
3. How important do you feel writing is in the world of religion?
Books are, as John Killinger has described them, "magic carpets of the mind" that take us to places we could not otherwise go. Or, to change the imagery slightly, books enable us to live other people's lives, to share other people's experiences, and learn from them. Consequently, books are one of the greatest resources for shaping lives for Christ.
4. When did you first become interested in writing?
When I was about eight years old, I began to write. I wrote short mystery stories and abbreviated biographies of my heroes. I've been writing ever since.
5. What are the great joys in writing for you?
Words are the building blocks of meaning, and writing affords me the opportunity to work creatively with words. Maybe the greatest joy in writing is the influence you have on other people's lives. Because other writers have influenced my life in such dramatic ways, it fires me up to know that maybe I can influence others in the same way.
6. Where did the inspiration come from to write 17 Roadblocks?
As a pastor, I deal with people nearly every day who are frustrated by the sense they are missing something in life, and they want to figure out how to solve the problem. Out of my personal counseling time came the framework for the book. Initially, I shared these ideas with my congregation. Their enthusiastic response convinced me that these ideas needed a wider audience.
7. How do you feel 17 Roadblocks can impact the reader?
I'm not familiar with any book that approaches the subject of this book in the same way. The book develops along several learning tracts - Scripture lessons, life models, and specific strategies. The quick review in the back of the book adds to the value of the book, because these reviews will enable the book to function as a manual to which the reader can turn again and again for information and inspiration.
8. Briefly describe your current ministry.
I've been the pastor of the First Baptist Church in Richardson, Texas for fifteen years. Also, I have taught at Truett Seminary as an adjunct lecturer every semester since the school opened in the fall of 1994. For the last twenty years, I've also published a preaching journal for pastors called Brian's Lines.
9. Outside of your ministry, how do you enjoy spending time?
I love movies, books, NBA basketball, Mexican Food, traveling to other countries, hanging out with friends, spending time with my family, and my new granddaughter Marlee - not necessarily in that order.
10. What would readers be surprised to know about you?
I am a big fan of Sue Grafton (the alphabet mysteries), Sandra Bullock, Reba McEntire, and Mozart!
