Interview with Jon Plunkett, Author, hear His Call
Can you give us the background to Hear His Call?
The book evolved from a lot of notes written during or immediately after times spent in the outdoors. I have always found that being in the wilds draws me to deeper issues. It is also a great source of inspiration, as well as being a vital part of my relationship with God. Writing became a kind of outlet for all the thoughts that seemed to ‘pour in’ when I was out wandering and wondering.
What made you think it would work as a book?
As the notes and writings increased in volume, it was clear to see the themes developing that would eventually become the chapters. Also, looking at the Christian book market I could see that there were very few other books on this theme. That got me thinking more seriously about the possibility of publishing it.
It is often said that Christians are some of the most unfit people in the world. What made you think that your book which encourages people to experience God in the midst of nature would endear ‘unfit’ Christians to go forth into the wild?
I try to encourage people to start with small steps. You don’t have to go far from the road to gain the benefits of natural places. I believe that once people get a taste for it they will want to make it a regular part of their life.
In the book you seem to enjoy hiking with both friends and your immediate family. How would you go about persuading others who may be reluctant to take that first step?
Tell us about the significant challenges you experienced whilst writing the book.
I think ‘holding back’ was one of the biggest challenges. I am passionate about the message of the book, so much so that I could have alienated people if I had really let go.
Do you believe that there is a connection between spending time (or lack of it) experiencing the wonders of creation and our pull towards materialism?
Definitely. I think that spending time amidst the wonders of creation strips away a lot of materialism and renews our perspective on what is really important in life. I suppose it is a useful reminder that our deepest longings, the real things we seek and pursue and need, are things that cannot be bought with money.
Judging from the response to the book, do you think that it has accomplished what you hoped it would do?
I have been contacted by someone who told me that after reading the book they have found a new depth in their relationship with God just being outside and appreciating many things they had taken for granted for many years. Other people have told me of a renewed longing to get out into some of the wildest places just tobe with God, and that on fulfilling this longing their life has been transformed. Each time I hear or read such a testimony I feel that the book has surpassed what I expected of it.
The chapter, A Place to Ponder details how you were able to freely share your faith with your non-Christian friends because of the awesome surroundings. How do you think other Christians can make effective use of their natural surroundings to evangelise?
I think we as followers of Christ need to be very real in our approach to evangelism. I have never felt particularly comfortable with strategies and plans for ‘winning the lost’. I don’t think natural creation should be used as a place to lure friends where we then hammer them with a heavy gospel message. I think it should be a very natural thing. When we are in towns and cities everything it is all ‘man made, man made, and more man made’. As soon as we step into natural places there is no ‘man-made’ which leaves the question, ‘who made?’ We are all in the same boat so to speak. We look around us and find ourselves considering the biggest questions we as a human race are faced with – who are we? Why are we here? Where are we going?
You describe the banality of life as a distraction for people today. Can we ever get too much of nature?
Too much of anything is unhealthy, particularly if we start doing it for the wrong reasons. I would refer to the chapter ‘A Few Words of Caution’. It won’t take long to read!
How often do you make these journeys into the wild? And how feasible do you think other Christians can do this as well?
I lead a typically busy life but I still find time to sit in quiet places and pray, take stock, and simply enjoy the peace and stillness. Actually it is not so much that I ‘find time’ but more that I make time. I consider it a priority and life expands as a result.
What else have you published?
My only other published works have been shorter contributions to devotionals. I have a guidebook/devotional titled Quiet Spaces, due for release later this year. I am also working on a second book titled Journey Round the Sun. This should be released sometime toward the end of 2008.
Tell us about your road to publication.
It has been a different road from the norm. Basically, a friend had a dream to set up a publishing company. She offered to publish some of the shorter devotional pieces as a kind of tester. Things grew from there. Vine Arts Publications was established, and they published Hear His Call. Being a small company they offer a very personal and committed service.
Any words for yet-to-be published writers out there?
Oh…so many cliché’s I could offer here! I would definitely recommend getting people you trust to read your work. I don’t mean people you trust not to copy it or laugh at it…I mean people you can trust to tell you straight what they think of it. Sometimes Christians can be too nice! I would also say, don’t get stuck in the line of thought that traditional roads to publication are the only way. Often new routes are more exiting and rewarding.
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