Review
Always a guest
Barbara Brown Taylor
With deep theological insight and deft turns of phrase, in this collection, Brown shares 31 sermons given as a guest speaker or preacher. There is so much in each one of these chapters, I will go back to them over and one at a time so I can let them percolate and make the scriptures transform my life.

I first discovered the writing of Barbara Brown Taylor through her meditations posted on the Center for Action and Contemplation's daily meditation web page. I was inspired enough by her reflections to read her book Holy Envy myself and to give a copy to a fellow seeker. As I read the words, I knew I had found a kindred spirit in her ecumenical approach to faith. When Netgalley offered me the opportunity to preview her latest book I jumped eagerly at the chance and was not disappointed.
Barbara Brown Taylor's collection of 31 sermons inspire, comfort, and challenge us by turn. They are a clarion call to action and an opportunity to reflect. This is not a book for a single sitting but one to savor slowly, prayerfully reflecting on each Biblical reading she has selected and her words of application to the modern chaos of daily life.

Hearing Barbara Brown Taylor speak at the (virtual) Evolving Faith conference this month reminded me why she is one of my very favorite preachers. Every sermon of hers I’ve heard, and every book of hers I’ve read, has challenged me to have a deeper, more compassionate, more expansive faith—a faith that holds space for the full depth and breadth of human experiences, emotions, and needs.

So what a delight it was to discover recently that Barbara Brown Taylor is publishing a collection of her sermons that she has preached as a guest preacher and lecturer at various churches, colleges, and other gatherings.

If your mind immediately assumed that because BBT is preaching as a guest at these locations that her sermons are superficial, guess again. Just reading the titles of the first page of the table of contents will disabuse you of that notion. (And to be honest, I would never recommend that anyone bother to listen to or read superficial sermons or spiritual writing. We are grown ups, the world is on fire, and we do not have time for fluffy nonsense that makes the world out to be simpler than it is.)

This book releases on October 20th (pre-order or place your library hold now!) but I was lucky enough to snag an advanced reader copy through NetGalley so I’ve been slowly working my way through this beautiful book over the past few weeks. This is the perfect format for a slow-but-steady read or a daily dose of inspiration or devotion.

I will likely end up gifting this book to a few people this holiday season, but, of course, this is also a great book to give to yourself.

Episcopal priest Taylor (Learning To Walk in the Dark) is a well-known speaker and writer who bills herself as a “spiritual contrarian,” declaring, “I say things you’re not supposed to say.” Taylor keeps that promise in her latest book, which is a collection of sermons delivered to various congregations over the past decade or so. The author uses her role as guest speaker to challenge traditional thought about the teachings of Jesus and Christian norms. Each of Taylor’s 31 thought-provoking discourses are based on a scriptural passage made relevant to believers’ everyday lives: “Believing Thomas” shows us that it’s okay and only logical to harbor doubts from time to time; the “Widow’s Might” is not a story of one woman’s ultimate sacrifice but of people and institutions that fail to use their power to care for those who are poor and powerless; the “Good Heretic” informs us that the parable of the Good Samaritan teaches that instead of trying to make our lives conform to unexamined belief systems, we should allow events in our lives to shape our beliefs.VERDICT Taylor’s writing is lyrical and compelling, a feast for the senses and the intellect. Recommended for all libraries.Reviewed by Gail Eubanks, Univ. of Missouri, Springfield , Oct 01, 2020

A collection of sermons, Always A Guest could easily be read over the course of a month as a daily devotion or meditation. Each chapter, short in length, begins with a short passage of Scripture. A speech, or sermon, follows the verses listed. At the end, the location and date is given for when Taylor gave the message.

I would imagine each one has been cleaned up and shortened for the publication of this book, and I found myself wishing they were longer (or in an order that made more sense as a reader), but overall I'm glad I read this one from Taylor. There were 3-4 moments I found myself talking back to the book saying, "Hmm, I've never thought of it that way. Interesting!"

Author is always a bit original and thought provoking, with new slants on common bible scripture passages; worth a slow read!

In a landmark survey of clergy by Baylor University, Barbara Brown Taylor was named one of the twelve most effective preachers.

I'm not sure you would realize such a lofty recognition while immersing yourself in Taylor's "Always a Guest: Speaking of Faith Far From Home," not because it's not written with Taylor's usual ample doses of wisdom and spiritual insight but because Taylor manages to come off as both incredibly intelligent and, quite simply, one of us.

I am not as intelligent as Barbara Brown Taylor, of this I have no doubt despite my having attended seminary and despite my having spoken from my share of pulpits.

The simple truth is that Barbara Brown Taylor, an Episcopal priest who left parish ministry years ago, weaves together biblical exegesis and application expertly while making spiritual truths accessible to both lifelong students of the Gospel and those getting their feet wet, or perhaps washed, for the very first time.

"Always a Guest: Speaking of Faith Far From Home" is a collection of 31 messages, presented here as chapters, delivered by Taylor in her now present role as a frequent guest preacher along with her ongoing roles as professor, author, and theologian. While she is Episcopalian by background, the messages here represent Taylor's presence across a wide array of denominations and spiritual paths including churches, conferences, and seminaries. In fact, it would seem those wonderful Presbyterians are particularly fond of Taylor, while Taylor time and again presents with a wonderful ability to, well, tailor her messages to her particular audience.

"Always a Guest," while not a lengthy book, is not a quick read. "Always a Guest" is a collection that practically demands patience and the moving of Spirit amidst the words. You can practically feel Taylor's presence and you can practically hear Taylor's words as you read, her language undeniably that of a seminary-trained pastor yet her presence undeniably that of someone whose life has been irrevocably changed by that seminary training and a life lived in service to God and to God's people.

I found myself reading "Always a Guest" most nights before drifting off to sleep, 30-60 minutes of Barbara Brown Taylor feeling like the kind of church experience to which we all should aspire. Each night, I would slowly immerse myself in 2-3 messages, a surprisingly slow pace for an unusually fast reader but a pace that felt necessary and which seemed to honor the intent of this life-giving and faith-celebrating collection.

As is true of nearly every sermon ever delivered, some will resonate more deeply than others There will be times you'll be be-bopping along with Taylor's distinct preaching rhythms, while there may be other times you'll find yourself thoughtful, maybe even resistant, as her words can challenge and charge and command with spiritual authority. There may be times you disagree, I certainly did, but her words will still leave you informed, inspired, and motivated to keep learning and keep seeking understanding.

While inspiration is present throughout "Always a Guest," Taylor's messages are quite often real world messages with applicability to daily life, social justice, global issues, and even politics. Episcopalians aren't Episcopalians if they're timid and, trust me, Barbara Brown Taylor is far from timid. These are the words and the messages of a pastor and theologian lived and learned and who continues to do the hard work of trying to love the world as God so loved the world.

"Always a Guest: Speaking of Faith Far From Home" is a "must have" collection for fans of Barbara Brown Taylor and for preachers, seminarians, professors, everyday theologians, and for those who simply seek to find church between the pages of her written words.

"Always a Guest: Speaking of Faith Far From Home" will be released by Westminster John Knox Press on October 20, 2020.

With extraordinary wit, persuasive passion, biblical fluency, and narrative pizzazz, Barbara Brown Taylor lead us through her sermons into a deeper exploration of God and ourselves as embedded and embodied in a world teeming with loving and creative divine potential. How I wish I had her cook the meals every Sunday as assuredly I would be filled with vital nutrients to live out the gospel each week! I highly recommend this book!