GIVEAWAY: As for Me and My [Crazy] House

What is it…

It’s a book by my friend Brian Berry. Brian has been in youth ministry for 20 years. Literally, his kids know no other life than being the youth pastor’s kids. Speaking of kids– Brian has 5 of them! My kids LOVE going over to their house and seeing them at church. Somehow they managed to have 3 kids between Megan and Paul’s age. (OK, so 2 of them are adopted!) Somehow– not accidentally– Shannon and Brian have figured out how to keep their sanity while serving in ministry. I’m not saying the Berry family is perfect or problem free. But they have figured some things out and are worth learning from.

Who is Brian…

Brian is my compatriot, high school guys co-small group leader, and generations pastor at my church. He’s got a great big job, a great big family, and the biggest pick-up truck you’ve ever seen. Seriously, I drove it and it was as big as a short bus. More important than all that stuff– Brian and Shannon have great big hearts. They’re the kind of people you meet and want to hang out with more. If you’ve been to NYWC, SYMC, YS Palooza… or read a youth ministry magazine in the past 3-4 years than you’ve probably met Brian. (Read between the lines: I think Brian is legit. Does it show?)

Why I like it…

It’s a shame that this book has mostly been marketed to youth ministry people. Sure, Brian is a youth ministry dude. BUT this book is important for any Christian family trying to figure out how to balance life. Brian is an excellent communicator. I call his style “staccato.” When he’s got something to say it comes quick, in bite size, highly comprehendible bursts.

There’s a ton of books in the “Christian family” category at any Christian bookstore. There is a lot of crap on the market in this category, we all know it. Everything Brian does is “anti-crap.” This book is no exception.

You get the idea, I like this book because I like Brian.

How to get it…

BUY IT… Head over to Simply Youth Ministry and buy a copy. You can either download it in your favorite eReader format or pay $2 more to get a printed version.

WIN IT… Leave a comment on this post by midnight tonight and you’ll be entered to win a free copy. Check back on this post tomorrow, I’ll edit the post to announce the winner.

WINNER... James Hauptman – hey James, email me your address and we’ll ship it out!


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Comments

35 responses to “GIVEAWAY: As for Me and My [Crazy] House”

  1. Eric Hendrickson Avatar

    Definitely my favorite read of 2012.  Bought it at SYMC and read it the first day I got back.  Loved everything about it.  If you don’t own it and you don’t win it…PICK IT UP!!!!!!  

    ***Adam-don’t pick me since I already own it***

    1. brian berry Avatar

      wow. so glad you enjoyed it Eric!  Thanks for the shout out!

  2. Eyouthwny (Jay P) Avatar
    Eyouthwny (Jay P)

    What the heck, I’ll give it a shot.  Sign me up!

  3. BrianFord Avatar

    I had a chance to glance over his book while at SYMC2012 in Louisville but never got around to purchasing it. My wife and I thought it’s be a great book to read being ministry and being parents for the first time to a…teenager. Thanks for reminding me of his book as I want to get it soon. 

  4. Scott Riley Avatar
    Scott Riley

    I’m in!

  5. Jeff Dempsey Avatar

    Already on my Amazon wish list. But FREE is always better!

  6. Ashley Sebastiani Avatar

    Would love to win a free copy, but will definitely have to buy it if I don’t.  I still remember Brian’s BARF message on the retreat I accepted the Lord on.  He’s got great insight!

    1. brian berry Avatar

      ha ha Ashley.  That’s so funny.  What’s even funnier is that the BARF points are not mine. It’s the only message in all of my life I think I’ve done of someone else.  Derek Quan was an intern in the ministry at our church when I was in college and he gave that message one night to our group.  I’ve never forgotten that Jesus was Betrayed, Abandoned, Rejected, and Forgotten so we don’t have to be and I’ve made it my own and used it a bunch since. Ha ha. Derek is a memory tool genius.  Hope you’re well. 

  7. Isaac Avatar
    Isaac

    Brian’s my old youth pastor…I gotta get this book!!

  8. Michael J. Hartz Avatar
    Michael J. Hartz

    I want the book!

  9. Josh Robertson Avatar
    Josh Robertson

    Sounds like a good read!  Especially with four kids 6 and under!  Crazy is a great description of my house on most occasions!

  10. James Hauptman Avatar

    I read the free introduction that they provided on my vacation; it looks AWESOME!!!  I can’t wait to get the whole book and read it!  I’ve already told a few people about it and they have asked to borrow it when I pick it up.  I’ve got it saved in Amazon, but would love to get a copy for free for myself and to pass on to others (including my senior pastor :)!)

    1. Adam McLane Avatar

      Howdy @facebook-502973780:disqus  You won the free book! Please send your email address to mclanea@gmail.com so we can ship the book out! 

      1. James Hauptman Avatar

        Yaay!  I just ran a lap around our office telling everyone!  THANK YOU!!!

  11. David G. Avatar
    David G.

    Reading this now, lots of insights for ministers, would love another copy to pass along!!!
     

  12. Rachel Blom Avatar

    Count me in, there’s always room in my book case for more great books 🙂

  13. Chris Clark Avatar
    Chris Clark

    Sounds good!
     

  14. Brian Avatar
    Brian

    Sign me up!

  15. perpetualmin Avatar
    perpetualmin

    I have wanted to pick up this book a few times.  With a family of 6 I would love to take a closer look.

  16. W_dakin Avatar
    W_dakin

    After 31 years in youth ministry and I can attest to the crazy house  thanks to a loving wife and an understanding daughter whose dad is her youth pastor we will make it.

  17. Paul Daly Avatar
    Paul Daly

    Alright, I’ll give it and try!!!

  18. Sean O'Driscoll Avatar

    Heard great things about it!  I was going to buy it anyways, but winning one would be nice too!

  19. Benr Avatar
    Benr

    Count me in! Looks like a great read!

  20. kolby milton Avatar

    I want a copy!  Hopefully I will win! 

  21. Vicki Froistad Avatar
    Vicki Froistad

    Pick me, pick me!

  22. Dan Eberhard Avatar
    Dan Eberhard

    Sounds like a great book that could help me put a good deal. If I don’t win, I will def be looking to pick this book in the future!

  23. Wes Henson Avatar
    Wes Henson

    I am always a fan of a free book and very intrigued by the concepts.

  24. Steven Holt Avatar
    Steven Holt

    There is no house crazier than mine. If I don’t win, I will be buying this one soon!

  25. Andrea Ragsdale Avatar
    Andrea Ragsdale

    I would totally be okay with getting a free copy of this book! I enjoy diving into any resource I can!!

  26. Dariograce Avatar
    Dariograce

    I love a crazy house!  Count me in !

  27. Zach Hollifield Avatar

    Im going to be a freshman in college next year and am going to be a Youth Minister and I know that this book would be a huge help to me in the future so Id love to win it!

  28. Tony Avatar
    Tony

    Brian is a really good leader and I’d be honored to win his book! He’s got a wonderful family and he seems to be doing things differently when it comes to full time ministry and family matters. The evidence is in his kids, they’re all awesome young Christ-followers!

  29. Alyciacollier Avatar
    Alyciacollier

    Brian is a great mentor and friend to so many high school students…including my own. I have been wanting to read this book to see inside his mind, just a little!

  30. Tyler Crawford Avatar
    Tyler Crawford

    I like books

  31. John H. Avatar
    John H.

    I  would love to read this book!

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