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|  An Interview with Charles Qualls 1. How would you describe your calling and mission as a writer and as a Christian? My calling as a writer has always been to lend a hand in providing resources. For as long as I can remember, my only compulsion to write was because something needed writing. I think the works I have taken on reflect that. The books that Bo and I have done together--and my solo writing--all have fallen within a niche I would call "Christian Education." I have tried to write books, and articles, that fill in some gaps in what is available for God's people. 2. Which books have had the greatest impact on your ministry? "The Wounded Healer" by Henri Nouwen captures the helping ministry--as one of God's flawed own--so well. "When Helping You is Hurting Me" by Carmen Renee Berry is an oldie that helped me to know that there are boundaries and issues out there for the helper to consider. And I'm really not trying to include a Smyth and Helwys title on purpose. But, "Beside Still Waters" by Stephen Muse would be a more recent read. I fought that book kicking-and-screaming because of its honesty and reach. This is difficult reading for the minister. I recommend it heartily. 3. How important do you feel writing is in the world of religion? I believe that each time one of us writes, we leave behind an imprint of where we've been with God. And I realize that some of the smartest, most talented communicators out there at any moment in time aren't writing. I have a short list of ministry colleagues whom I wish were writing, and I can't get them to. When we write, we do a couple of things. First, we further the divine-human dialogue another step. Second, we record where we personally are on a given issue, text or need in that moment. Others will pick up that record alongside us or behind. I'd like to hope that's important. 4. When did you first become interested in writing? I was doing an internship with Bo Prosser almost 25 years ago. He took me to meet a lot of the then Baptist resource providers while I was interviewing to be part of a youth ministry team in Baptist life. I came away fascinated with what they did to provide help for the church. I wanted to be a part of that world. I enjoyed writing while in school, and knew that it was something that I could do. 5. What are the great joys in writing for you? For lack of a better expression, when I am writing something that I have any business doing I find that the project just has to come out. The writing we did for the marriage book is a great example. Same thing with the book on Sunday School. Those chapters just came pouring out, because we were living them. We wanted to see if we could help others with those things, too. Or at least lend them our perspectives. Here's the funny thing--I know there are better writers out there than me. The difference is, while they're out there finding reasons why they shouldn't write, I'm churning away at another project. I have enjoyed writing a lot. I'm on a self-imposed hiatus from writing this year. But I'm beginning to get some passion around a couple of new projects. 6. What events led up to you writing Sessions with John and Jude? I've been a user of the Sessions series since Michael's very first volume on James came out. I've literally taught these books to groups inside our church and out in the community. I was a fan of the series. When Keith Gammons approached me to see if I would be interested, I jumped on the chance. But why "John and Jude" specifically? In my doctoral work, we had just done a unit on 1,2, 3 John. I was fascinated with those small epistles that don't get much focus. Peter Rhea Jones' teaching on them spurred my interest. Because of the timing, it was a natural. 7. How do you feel Sessions with John and Jude can impact the reader and/or small groups? This book is a starting place. An individual reader can use this book devotionally and ponder a question a day. Or read a session a day and study the book within a week. In that way, there is flexibility. The group leader can use the material and the questions as a springboard for putting a teaching plan together. Based on what they know of their group--how their group learns, where the group is spiritually--they can add resources or questions to what I provide and come up with a meaningful group study experience. These "Sessions" books are written by church ministers for a purpose. They give us a chance to speak to a biblical book church-to-church if you will. We have our commentaries and other resources to dig through for deeper background. But first, there is a conversation that is started by the "Sessions" book. 8. Briefly describe your current ministry. My ministry is primarily in the area of pastoral care these days. I served 2 churches as a minister of education. Those years of trying to provide faithfully for people's spiritual development left a lasting imprint on my work. I spend an awful lot of time making hospital visits, checking on hospice patients and some homebound. But I also work in support ministries for marriage, pre-marriage, divorce and grief. I average working with 12-15 marital couples a year. And since 1995, I've had more than 30 divorce recovery groups with 1400+ participants. I find the work to be rewarding and substantive. 9. Outside of your ministry, how do you enjoy spending time? My wife, Elizabeth, has her own career. She is a school librarian. So we're really active in the life of her school as well as our church. And when I'm there at the school, few people even know who I am or what I do. I'm also a vice-president on the board of a local business association. That's a rare affirmation for a minister, I believe. So those activities keep us busy out in the community. We love to travel, especially cruises. We go to ballgames, mostly Atlanta Braves. I find myself on Facebook an embarassing amount of time these days... 10. What would readers be surprised to know about you? I grew up on a farm. So there's a lot of country boy in me. If I were taller, stronger and had a more durable rotator-cuff I would've pitched in the major leagues and still not have written a word probably. And I don't think of myself as a scholar by any means. I never fully embraced the romance of the academic processes. One day, I'll find that I've said all that needs to be said. And I'll probably walk away from writing. I don't want to be out here writing in order to get published. There are too many other things I enjoy in life. At least one friend would be surprised to know that I have a lot of unpublished thoughts! |
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