About the Book
Life is about relationships, good and bad.
Individualism may feel strong. In reality, it's much weaker than when we stand together.
Much of the joy of life comes from the manner in which others touch our lives. Do you remember the last time someone touched your life with a word of encouragement? Your response may have been a smile or a sense of joy. Not all touches are like that. Some people touch our lives with pain through hurtful comments, insinuation, or even lies.
Solomon declared that life and death are in the power of the tongue. Our conversations are a key contributor to the effects we have on one another. This book is an invitation to explore the impact of others on us and our influence on them. It takes courage to nurture others and accept their nurturing. Communication coupled with action is the key to growth when we've experienced God as the source of our spiritual lives in Christ.
"Glenn Taylor's writing on the subject of healthy relationships is the outcome [of] a lifelong commitment to living fully into all aspects of life. As a result, this book has deep roots and a solid foundation. I commend it to you."
--Dr. Rod Wilson, Vancouver, B.C.
"There is no substitute for a firsthand witness. This is as true today as it was for the Resurrection. This book is the direct result of a truly empathetic faithful witness... This is a must read for anyone who is involved in ministry, counseling, or leadership of any kind."
--James Tughan, Canadian Artist, Oakville, Ontario
"I believe the chapter on the importance of the community of faith as a place for receiving love, nurture, and healing meets a critical need in our disconnected society."
--Marvin Brubacher, Director of MentorLink Canada
Bio
Glenn C. Taylor began his pastoral ministry in 1956 as a church planter. He served as a correctional chaplain, professor and counsellor in college and seminary, CEO of a large inner city ministry, and counsellor/consultant with over thirty international mission organizations. He has graduate degrees in theology and psychology and training in trauma counselling. Much of his ministry has addressed relationships between leadership and churches, as well as family counselling. With his wife, her has ministered in many countries around the world.
About the Author :
Glenn C. Taylor began his pastoral ministry in 1956 as a church planter. He served as a correctional chaplain, professor and counsellor in college and seminary, CEO of a large inner city ministry, and counsellor/consultant with over thirty international mission organizations. He has graduate degrees in theology and psychology and training in trauma counselling. Much of his ministry has addressed relationships between leadership and churches, as well as family counselling. With his wife, her has ministered in many countries around the world.
Review :
Glenn Taylor's writing on the subject of healthy relationships is the outcome of his educational background, commitment to the church, years of experience in counselling and consulting, biblical and theological convictions, as well as a lifelong commitment to living fully into all aspects of life. As a result, this book has deep roots and a solid foundation. I commend it to you. -Dr. Rod Wilson, Retired President, Regent College, Vancouver, B.C. How do we nurture life and love in one another? And particularly, how do we create communities of faith that truly nurture the love of Christ among us? Using the image of the web of life, Glenn Taylor beautifully interweaves his own life journey and wisdom as a pastor and therapist to explore a theology of nurture. With his understanding of the profound importance of attachment, and of the power of communication to bring life or death, the author seeks to elucidate what our "citizenship in Christ" means in an age of narcissism and impoverishment of attachment. -Diane Marshall, Psychotherapist, Toronto, Ontario There is no substitute for a firsthand witness. This is as true today as it was for the Resurrection. This book is the direct result of a truly empathetic faithful witness from Glenn Taylor in literally thousands of hours of counsel with the recipients of either the use or misuse of human speech, of damage or repair, and indeed of 'living or dying' as he eloquently puts it, in our relational interactions. This is a must read for anyone who is involved in ministry, counseling or leadership of any kind. -James Tughan, Executive Director, Semaphore Fellowship International, Artist, Oakville, Ontario In this post modern era, we are living in a time of the celebration of individual autonomy. The rights and demands of individuals has outweighed the health of community. A recent study in the Netherlands (from the IONA Institute) indicated for people requesting euthanasia, the top reason cited is a profound sense of isolation and loneliness. In his book, Glenn posits a clarion call to address this, by building up individuals, creating a health web of community and wholeness, thus inviting others to live, rather than die. Hope and wholeness is the result! -Rev. Reid Cooke, Pastor and Chaplain, Niagara Falls, Ontario Glenn is the master of inviting those in his presence to live. In fact, days later you will continue pondering what he has said. As he weaves the web of nurturing others in the community of faith you, too, will be pondering this thoughtful, insightful, handbook in positively influencing others. -Rev. David Johnson, Pastor, Hawkstone, Ontario Some writers have the special ability to combine academic research with practical experience - and exceedingly powerful combination. Glenn accomplishes this goal in his book, "The Web of Life." I especially enjoyed the analogy of the spider web as a strong reminder that my life continues to impact others, just as my life continues to be impacted by others, either in enriching or damaging ways. No relationship is neutral; each touch sets the web in motion. In all of my relational connections with Glenn, his enriching impact through modeling these principles have improved my life and developed my understanding of the power of my words within the structures of communication. I believe the chapter on the importance of the community of faith as a place for receiving love, nurture, and healing meets a critical need in our disconnected society. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to improve their relationship quotient. -Marvin Brubacher, Executive Director, MentorLink, Cambridge, Canada
