Live Like You Give a Damn! Join the Changemaking Celebration
Ebook
Overview
Live Like You Give a Damn! declares the very good news that God is raising up a new generation, largely outside the church, to bring impressive change to the lives of our neighbors locally and globally by creating innovative forms of social enterprise and community empowerment. The even better news is that those of us within the church can join this changemaking celebration and discover creative new ways God can use our mustard seeds to make a more remarkable difference than we ever imagined possible. In this book Tom Sine offers practical ways you can join those who are creating their best communities, their best world, and in the process their best lives. Sine shows that in a world changing at warp speed, following Jesus is a “design opportunity.” It is not only an opportunity to design innovative ways to make a difference but also an opportunity to create lives with a difference, in the way of Jesus, that are simpler and more sustainable--and to throw better parties along the way. Why would anyone want to settle for less and miss the best?
”In Live Like You Give a Damn! [Sine] lifts up a new
generation of activists and social entrepreneurs doing
world-changing work all over the globe."
--Jim Wallis, Editor, Sojourners
“An enlightened look at how Millennials are shaping the future for
the better, and an invitation to join with him in joining
them."
--Romanita Hairston, Vice President, World Vision
“This book, his most hopeful and personal, is a real gift to the
church."
--Mark Scandrette, Author; Founder of Reimagine
"Tom Sine’s new book invites you to see another version of
Christianity, and it is all about bringing heaven to earth."
--Shane Claiborne, Author; Member of The Simple Way
"Sine has written a compelling book filled with stories and
portraits of hope at a time filled with cynicism, hatred, and
negativity. . . . Inspiring and challenging!"
--Noel Castellanos, CEO and President, CCDA
"Be inspired. Join the movement. Live like you give a damn!"
--Rebecca Summer, Pastor, Our Common Table, Everett, WA
"I am glad to commend this exposition that exhibits quite
concretely ways to revision, reimagine, and reperform the gospel.
Such fresh, imaginative engagement will surely yield a ‘well done’
from the Lord of the church who makes all things new."
--Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary
"Tom Sine has been engaged in the struggle for social justice for
many years. In Live Like You Give a Damn he lifts up the new
generation of activists and social entrepreneurs who are taking the
baton from his generation and doing wonderful, necessary, and
world-changing work all over the globe. The justice challenges of
our time demand an unprecedented response from Christians and all
those of faith and conscience, and the witness of millennial
activists in response to this challenge, fills me with the same
hope for a better future that Tom articulates so well in this
book."
--Jim Wallis, New York Times bestselling author of America’s
Original Sin: Racism, White Privilege, and the Bridge to a New
America; President of Sojourners, and editor-in-chief of
Sojourners magazine.
"Tom Sine’s incisive curiosity about how the greater good can be
realized in our time is contagious. This book, his most hopeful and
personal, is a real gift to the church and emerging generations.
For the sake of the poor, the planet, and the future of our
neighborhoods and cities, let’s join Tom and live like we give a
damn."
--Mark Scandrette, Founder of Reimagine, Author of FREE:
Spending Your Time and Money on What Matters Most
"Above all this is a book about hope and imagination. Tom weaves
together ideas, dreams and stories of people and communities who
are changing the world one community at a time. And it’s
infectious. You find yourself wanting to meet with friends over a
meal and start sparking ideas talking about what you can do
together in your own locale to make a better world. It’s refreshing
that Tom resists collapsing life solely into a church sphere and
focuses rather on change in the world through social enterprise and
community endeavors. It’s then that church begins to make sense
reimagined as a community in mission participating with God and the
community around towards its healing. And of course, given Tom’s
previous love of Jesus’ parable, it’s still one mustard seed at a
time!"
--Jonny Baker, Church Mission Society Director of Mission
Education, Anglican Church UK
"At a time when the church is falling short in bringing Good News
to those who need it most, Sine observes that there is a blossoming
movement among Millennial entrepreneurs to facilitate social change
and community renewal. I encourage church leaders of all stripes to
read the stories of changemakers in Sine’s book and ask themselves
how they can foster this kind of energy and social transformation
in their own congregations and communities."
--Sarah Withrow King, Deputy Director, Evangelicals for Social
Action at the Sider Center of Eastern University
"In his new book, Live Like You Give a Damn!, join the
Changemaking Celebration. Tom Sine has written a compelling book
filled with stories and portraits of hope at a time filled with
cynicism, hatred, and negativity. Instead of focusing on the evil
in the world, he introduces us to people and places where love,
justice, and an audacity to try what others are afraid to imagine
become the catalyst for changemaking for the benefit of others.
Inspiring and challenging!"
--Noel Castellanos, CEO and President, CCDA
"Live Like You Give a Damn! is one of the best snapshots of
Millennials in action today. It captures the optimism and
determination of the young men and women actively working to change
the world. His enthusiasm and hopefulness for what God is doing
through the next generation is contagious and inspiring. Live
Like You Give a Damn! is a much needed addition to the ongoing
conversation of community renewal and social innovation."
--Amanda Allen, PhD student in Intercultural Studies with a
concentration in Development, Asbury Theological Seminary
"With every fiber of his body, Tom Sine is compelled to look up and
out towards the new horizon and report to us what he has seen.
Live Like You Give a Damn! rouses us to join the movement of
a generation of global social entrepreneurs who are changing the
world with creative solutions to complex problems. At the heart of
this book you can hear his desire that we see what he has seen, a
social and cultural revolution arising from the fragmentation of
our times, propelled by human creativity and energized by the
compassionate love of Jesus. This is a book for our times and a
guiding light to our future."
--J. Derek McNeil, Academic Dean, Seattle School of Theology and
Psychology
"Futurist Tom Sine gives us a whirlwind tour of changemakers
(including many Gen Y & Z’s) who are creatively engaging in the
opportunities and challenges we face in our collective economic,
political, social, and environmental lives. This book will animate
your imagination and help you innovatively live into God’s future.
Read it with your team, reflect together, and find your life by
living it for the sake of others!"
--JR Woodward, National Director, V3 Church Planting Movement;
Co-author, The Church as Movement
"Tom Sine takes us on a journey that moves at dizzying speed
through time and many places. In doing so he brings to the surface
some of the amazing changemaking that is flowing from the
creativity and energy of Millennials, and the new possibilities
opening up through rapid technological change. He highlights the
power of social enterprise as an arena for the playing out of God’s
plan for a just and renewed world. This is an exciting and
energizing ride that I am sure will help many people in realizing
their own potential in a world of disruption and dazzling
change."
--Tim Costello, Chief Executive,World Vision Australia
"From Cambodia to Nigeria, Australia to Canada, Portland to New
York, young adults are founding businesses and organizations that
blur easy but false distinctions between work and charity, profit
and empowerment. These young social entrepreneurs are not waiting
for the church to do wrap up theological and doctrinal battles;
they are waiting for the church to join them and do something.
While the Pew Research reports that Millennials make up an
increasing portion of religious ‘nones,’ Sine illustrates through
countless stories that they are far from ‘dones’ when it come to
Jesus-like engagement and Kingdom-oriented visions of society. Sine
provides crucial guideposts for the journey of changemaking that he
has learned from these young leaders: ignite imagination,
anticipate opportunities, choose with purpose, and empower others.
Shane Claiborne, Author of The Irresistible RevolutionLive Like You
Give a Damn! is indispensible reading for anyone weary or leery of
capitulating to the bankrupt narratives of blame, greed, and
excess. Highly readable, inspiring, and motivating, this book is
ideal for individuals, small groups, Sunday School classes, and
college and seminary students."
--Andy Brubacher Kaethler, Assistant Professor of Christian
Formation and Culture; Director, Center for Faith Formation and
Culture, Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary
"For too long, Christians have used our faith as a ticket into
heaven, and ignored the world around us. We’ve promised people life
after death, while many folks are asking if there’s life before
death. At times we’ve been so heavenly-minded that we haven’t been
much help here on earth. Tom Sine’s new book invites you to see
another version of Christianity, and it is all about bringing
heaven to earth. Let this book inspire you to do something with
your life that leaves off the fragrance of Jesus and moves the
world closer to God’s dream for it."
--Shane Claiborne, Author of The Irresistible Revolution and
Executing Grace; Member of the Simple Way
"I first encountered Tom Sine more than thirty years ago in
Toronto. He won’t remember the lively conversation I had with him
after he’d talked about The Mustard Seed Conspiracy, but I
knew I’d met a man filled with a passion for the way of Jesus and
eager to invite others onto that journey. Over all these years Tom
has been imagining and re-imagining all that is involved in
following a radical Jesus in the midst of massively transformative,
confusing times. Live Like You Give a Damn! continues that
journey. It is a passionate invitation to awaken, not just to the
crises of our time or the anemic life of cultural Protestantism,
but to see what the Spirit is gestating and dare to join the Jesus
movement today."
--Alan Roxburgh, Missional Network
"Tom Sine’s new book is a great introduction to his life-long
message of making change and seizing opportunities. It’s as fresh
and inspiring in 2016 as The Mustard Seed Conspiracy was in
1981."
--Brian McLaren, Author; Speaker; Activist
"Live like you Give a Damn! is Tom Sine at his best . . .
and it’s a must-read. With the wisdom and clarity of a hopeful
prophet Tom insightfully reads the signs of our times--some of
which should sound alarms in us--yet all the while points to the
new wine of the Spirit. This book is an invitation of God through
real stories of fresh expressions borne of radical disciples of
Jesus. This book is a study resource for colleges, seminaries, and
congregations to enable us all to more fully put God’s
compassionate purposes first in our lives, communities, and
congregations."
--Dwight J. Friesen, Associate Professor of Practical Theology, The
Seattle School of Theology & Psychology; Co-Author, The New
Parish, Routes and Radishes; Author, Thy Kingdom
Connected
"This imaginative and prophetic invitation to envision a church
that exists for the sake of others is an urgent call for pastors,
students, and practitioners who are tired of status quo
Christianity. Sine captures the creative and entrepreneurial spirit
of Millennials and everyday people who are committed to a mustard
seed kingdom and an experience of ‘the good life’ that is not
captive to comfort, self-interest, and fear. For many years, I’ve
appreciated Sine’s passion for social change and his deep
conviction that the future has a church. May we listen
intently--even amidst disorientation--as we long for that future
together."
--David Leong, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Missiology,Seattle
Pacific University and Seminary
"Hopeful, timely, practical, and sincere are a few words to
describe Live Like You Give A Damn! Sine invites the reader
to explore the world-changing practices that will create our better
future. The reader can journey alongside him as he urges us to join
the change making celebration. It is an enlightened look at how
Millennials are shaping the future for the better, and an
invitation to join with him in joining them. A true opportunity to
expand our vision of the future’s church!"
--Romanita Hairston, Vice President, U.S. Programs,
Transformational Engagement, World Vision
"Tom Sine makes my head whirl. Just when I think I could maybe
settle down a bit, he comes along and turns me upside down--in a
thoroughly good way! Tom combines research, personal experience, a
wise head, and a passionate heart to call us to be innovators and
entrepreneurs and so to change the way things are, both within and
without the Church."
--Ruth Valerio, Churches and Theology Director, A Rocha UK; Author
of L is for Lifestyle: Christian Living that Doesn’t Cost the
Earth, and, Just Living: Faith and Community in an Age of
Consumerism
"Everyone should read this book. Young changemakers looking to
remember that we are not alone in this work. Those who are
wondering what the future might possibly hold for church and for
those following the Jesus way. Older generations who are struggling
to understand new generations and new movements both in and outside
of the church. Live Like You Give A Damn! is Tom’s ongoing
work to empower Generations Y and Z. Read this book. Be inspired.
Join the movement. Live like you give a damn."
--Rebecca Sumner, Lead Pastor, Our Common Table, Everett, WA
"Tom Sine has crafted a hopeful and powerful tour of what God is
doing through people who are breaking new ground and taking big
risks. What Tom does so well is uncover and shine a blazing light
on the innovative ways people are engaging their local places. It’s
filled with spicy descriptions and prescriptions of changemaking.
You will be passionately stirred to dream big dreams and live like
you give a damn!"
--Dan White Jr., Co-founder of the Praxis Gathering; Author of
Subterranean: Why the Future of the Church is
Rootedness
"Warning: don’t read this book unless you’re ready to hear not only
the call to change the world, but also real ways to do it. Tom Sine
looks at today’s innovators among the under-35s, who lead the way
in social entrepreneurship and community empowerment--the two
streams of God’s new changemaking revolution. The call here is to
join young social innovators, many of whom are beyond the church,
to take a real, practical, and exciting part in God’s transforming
mission."
--Al Tizon, Executive Minister of Serve Globally, Evangelical
Covenant Church
"So many of us know that the church is in desperate need of change.
We need to regain our imaginations and bring dreams into reality.
We need brave changemakers who are willing not only to shake the
status quo, but be part of cultivating a better reflection of the
Kingdom of God, here and now. I am thrilled to have material to
pass on to other dreamers, collaborators, changemakers, and
bridge-builders that will inspire, challenge, and encourage. We
need this kind of hope."
--Kathy Escobar, MA, Co-Pastor of The Refuge; Author, Faith
Shift: Finding Your Way Forward When Everything You Believe is
Coming Apart
"Live Like You Give a Damn! tantalizes the imagination and
ushers people into a world of possibility. Tom turns our attentions
to Millennials and social changemaking. This book is eminently
readable, overflowing with practical examples of change that cut
across the broad spectrum of Christianity, and positioned to draw
the reader into a world of hope: fed by Scriptures and lived by the
church. A must-read!"
--Gregg A. Okesson, Ph.D.; Dean, E. Stanley Jones School of World
Mission and Evangelism, Associate Professor of Leadership and
Development, Asbury Theological Seminary
"One of my beloved colleagues recently made this statement, ‘Our
church is set up to make a point but not a difference.’ Such a
truth has not resonated with me so deeply in a long time. Tom Sine
has, in this book, begun building the bridge between making the
point, and making the difference. I am grateful for it and after
reading it I want to say, ‘Let’s be church like we give a
damn!’"
--Greg Rickel, Bishop, Diocese of Olympia
"‘The alarm is going off--all over the planet,’ Tom Sine announces.
We no longer have the luxury of living our lives, raising our
young, operating our businesses, and leading our churches as though
the context in which we live is stable and predictable. It’s not.
If you’re put off by the title, then maybe you need his message
most. He’s intent, not on condemning the church, but awakening it
to the call to the creative changemaking celebration as we live our
lives and like churches for what matters most, by giving Christ a
chance to express his hope through us."
--Richard Dahlstrom, Author, Colors of Hope; Pastor, Bethany
Community Church, Seattle
"Tom Sine has lifted the fog and gives us a glimpse of the future
awaiting us. It invites imagination. His message is directed
especially, but not exclusively, to a younger generation of social
entrepreneurs who are creating new ways to make a difference. They
have the compassion and creativity to bring about the needed
changes in our communities. The good news is that we can join them
if we are ready to put God’s changemaking purposes more fully at
the center of our own lives and churches. Sine’s message is
grounded in an insightful reading of scripture and is richly
illustrated with examples of changed lives and communities."
--Edgar Stoesz, Author, Doing Good Better; Former Director
of Overseas Outreach for the Mennonite Central Committee; Former
Chairman of the Board, Habitat for Humanity
"Tom Sine’s incisive analysis has long helped us understand the
challenges to be faced in the future by both the church and the
wider community. In this book, he takes us one step further,
reminding us to recognize the seeds of hope--practical responses
which enable us to recognize new possibilities by joining young
changemakers so we too can become more a part of God’s solution.
Tom invites us all to imagine and create innovative ways to engage
that change in ways that reflects God’s loving purposes for a
people and a world."
--Gary Heard, Minister, The Eighth Day Baptist Community; Dean,
Whitley College Theological School, The University of Divinity,
Australia
"Social innovators and other changemakers are bringing the future
to us in remarkable, powerful ways. Tom Sine serves here as a
wonderful, insightful tour guide into this new world. He wants
Christians to become part of the changemaking celebration. An
inspiring book. I hope it reaches a wide audience!"
--L. Gregory Jones, Williams Professor of Theology and Ministry,
Duke Divinity School
"Tom Sine’s latest book is an invitation to learn from a life-long,
incredibly curious, insightful, and hopeful student of the
possible. Tom draws on a range of influencers-- from middle
school-aged youth to East African food entrepreneurs, to diverse
theologians to internet activists, in laying out his case that in
the midst of political sideshows and soaring costs of living, there
are signs of hope that should inspire us all to get up, get dirty,
and live like we give a damn."
--Brian Howe, Founder and Member of the Board of IMPACT Hub
Seattle
"Live Like You Give A Damn!, is unlike any other Christian
reading I have picked up and it is the perfect time for you to read
it. In this book, Tom addresses the issues within the church today
and gives tangible ways to solve them. He examines the why’s and
how’s and he challenges all of us to be changemakers for a better
tomorrow. As a Millennial, I am already finding ways to carry out
the lessons I learned in planning to create social enterprises and
my current efforts through H.O.P.E to empower those at the
margins."
--Jensen Roll, Age 22, Founder, H.O.P.E. - Helping Other People
Eat; Degree in Social Entrepreneurship, Elon University, 2016
"Tom’s book motivates me to encourage upcoming generations as they
lead us into creating a better world. He’s spread a savory feast of
stories about social enterprise and innovation for us to sample,
effectively making the case that God is using the dreams and
visions of "Generation Next” to stir the church to action. He has
given us a great gift in his decision to follow and support young
people, and in this compelling invitation to join him."
--Sundee T. Frazier, Coretta Scott King New Talent Award-winning
author for children, including Cleo Edison Oliver books (about a
10-year-old entrepreneur)
"Tom Sine’s new book sparks the imagination and gives us all
permission to move beyond the pew and the comfy chair into positive
action for God’s Kingdom. Rather than feeling behind or left out of
this fast-paced crazy world, Tom helps us see how we can learn
from, and partner with, Millennials to help others and our world.
It’s time for us to dream big and get out there again, loving and
practically serving our neighbors and the world."
--Lilly Lewin, Author, Sacred Space; Worship Curator;
Founder, ThinplaceNashville and @freerangeworship.com
"Tom has consistently spoken to the heart of the narrative issues
of our time. Our fundamental values and life decisions have been
narrowed by the dreams of our culture. Frequently we run out of
steam to live the life of kingdom purposes of God that we long for.
Too often we have separated our spiritual selves from our work and
the public good. This book renews focus and ignites thinking,
dreaming, and longing for what could be. If, like me, you are
wanting to not waste the precious years you have, this is the book
to read and discuss in your church."
--Matt Aroney, Assistant Minister, Newtown Erskineville Anglican
Church, Australia; I work with young adults preparing them to serve
in the church and the world.
Product Details
- Title : Live Like You Give a Damn!: Join the Changemaking Celebration
- Authors:
- Sine, Tom
- Brueggemann, Walter
- Publisher: Cascade Books
- Publication Date: 2016
- ISBN: 9781498206266
Tom Sine is joining a new generation of changemakers who are creating new ways to make a difference and be a difference. Tom and his wife Christine live in an intergenerational community in Seattle. He works with individuals, churches and Christian organizations to enable them to create new ways to be more a part of this new changemaking celebration for times like these. His earlier books include: The New Conspirators, Living on Purpose, Mustard Seed Versus McWorld, Wild Hope and The Mustard Seed Conspiracy. www.msaimagine.org