Table of Contents

Introduction

Part I: Discerning a God-Given Dream
Interview: Abby Kuzma and the Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic
1. Conceiving
Reflection: Paying Attention to What You Are Praying
Interview: Randy Reese and VantagePoint3
2. Brooding
Reflection: Discerning Your Personal Values
Interview: Phileena Heuertz and Gravity?a Center for Contemplative Activism
3. Welcoming
Reflection: Welcoming Your Dream
Interview: Chris Smith and the Englewood Review of Books
4. Discerning
Reflection: A Personal and Prayerful Approach to Discernment
Reflection: A Communal Approach to Discernment

Part II: Shaping a God-Given Dream
Interview: MaryBeth Jackson and the Viewfinder Project
5. Naming
Reflection: Choosing a Name
Interview: Elizabeth Roney and Liz Alig Fashion
6. Shaping
Reflection: Shaping Your Dream
Interview: Dave Baldwin and Furnace Hills Coffee
7 Sorting
Reflection: Learning to Sort Things Out
Interview: Joanna Taft and the Harrison Center for the Arts
8. Changing
Reflection: Standing at the Crossroads
Interview: Nate Hershey and City Life Wheels
9. Waiting
Reflection: In the Waiting Room
Interview: Melissa Millis and Nou Hope
10. Dying
Reflection: Paying Attention to What?s Happening Through the Dying Process
Interview: Suzy Roth and Hands of Hope Adoption and Orphan Care
11. Resurrecting
Reflection: Signs of Life

Part III: Birthing a God-Given Dream
Interview: Tom Durant and Eco Café Haiti
12. Birthing
Reflection: Ideas to Celebrate and Dedicate Your Dream
Interview: Katie Taylor and Film School Africa
13. Living
Reflection: Your New Normal and Your Growing Edge
Interview: Sibyl Towner and the Springs
14. Sustaining
Reflection: My Rhythms and Rule of Life

Epilogue: What Comes of Dreams
Acknowledgments
Appendix : Web Resources
Notes

About the Author

Beth Booram is the cofounder and director of Sustainable Faith Indy, an urban retreat center in Indianapolis, where she leads The School of Spiritual Direction and offers individual and group spiritual direction. Beth designs and facilitates contemplative retreats and speaks around the country on spiritual formation and Christian leadership. Beth has authored several books, including Awaken Your Senses, Picturing the Face of Jesus and The Wide Open Spaces of God.

Reviews

"Booram weaves in the stories of her directees and a number of other people she interviewed. These stories, not only of success but also of the challenges during the different stages of birthing of a large leading, are helpful and instructive, especially when considered alongside the suggested journaling exercises at the end of each chapter."
*Patricia Morrison, Friends Journal, November 1, 2016*

"If you ever have felt as if a new idea or dream was stirring inside of you, but you couldn't tell whether it was yours or God's, Starting Something New may be exactly what you need. . . . This book would be perfect for youth pastors/leaders who are feeling as if God is calling them to do something new within their ministries. Warning: You are going to want a lot of time to process this book and may benefit from having the involvement of a spiritual guide or mentor."
*Andrea Sawtelle, YouthWorker Journal, September/October 2015*

"A thoughtful aid for the discernment of one's call, this book will be especially helpful for those considering a new dream. It will give you some guidance as well as courage to take a risk on the dream of God that is coming forth from you."
*The Presbyterian Outlook, April 13, 2015*

"Read this slowly and reflectively. The stages of discernment and growth Booram describes can spread out over many years. Let this be one of many companions in discernment throughout the long and joyful journey of starting something new."
*Christopher Brown, Poiesis Theou, December 28, 2015*