Page 43 - November-December Together

TOGETHER NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2021
Continuing the Daily

Journey of Life With Lucas INTERVIEW

Jeff Lucas talks to Clem Jackson about the
exciting new phase for his Bible reading notes.

Jeff Lucas has been writing Bible reading notes
for seventeen years. Earlier this year Waverley
Abbey Resources (WAR), the operating name
of CWR, announced that the 2021 November-
December issue of Life Every Day (LED) would
be the last to be published.
When the news broke there was considerable So, was there a target
dismay across social media and to Jeff directly audience? ‘Not really. When
that this popular product was to be no more. I started, I was in my late forties,
However, there was a considerable amount of but I never considered I was writing for
relief when it was recently announced that from a particular demographic; I just tried to be
January 2022 Jeff’s Bible reading notes were myself and write in a way that I hoped would be
to continue being published with a new title, broadly accessible.’
Life With Lucas, by SCM, publishers of Sorted One of the distinctives of the style of Life Every rather than bi-monthly, A6 and eighty-eight
magazine, in conjunction with Novio, Day is that many people benefited from the fact pages of full-colour. They will be available in
the publishing arm of Jeff’s ministry. that Jeff has never been afraid to reveal his own print and digitally, by subscription and also
When CWR originally approached Jeff about doubts, insecurities or shortcomings in these through Christian retailers, because I really want
writing a series of notes he met with Selwyn notes. Why does he think that’s important? to support bookshops.
Hughes, CWR’s founder and the originator of the ‘Authenticity is not a matter of style, it’s an ‘There will be a focus on Jesus or the gospels
globally successful Every Day With Jesus Bible absolute theological and human necessity. We for a least a month in every quarterly edition and
reading notes. Jeff said, ‘Selwyn really affirmed follow the one who describes Himself as ‘the the notes will be the centre of a hub of other
the idea; he felt my style of writing would work way, the truth and the life’ - truth being what I resources. Online there will be ‘going deeper’
for a different Bible reading resource’. focus on in that statement. Therefore, we need sections spread intermittently throughout.
to be authentic about ourselves and about the There’ll be video introductions from me to each
‘ There will be a focus on Christian life we are presenting. new section online; there’ll be podcasts and
small group resources, including videos, all of
Jesus or the gospels for ‘I think it’s very biblical, very vital, to be honest, which will be free to access.
authentic and human. If we don’t do that, we
a least a month in every can create damage - because people can feel ‘The idea is that we really want to push
the notes forward. They will be completely
quarterly edition and the distant from the writer. What I want to say is accessible to those who don’t ‘do’ the internet
that I’m a fragile, broken, flawed human being
notes will be the centre of under construction, why not join me on the path but for those who do there will be a cluster of
other resources built around them which I’m
of discipleship?’
a hub of other resources.’ So how did Jeff feel when he heard the news really excited about.’
that WAR were ceasing publication of Life It seems that rather than having a rest from
Every Day? a 15,000-word deadline every two months
Jeff is going to be even busier now with the
‘I was really disappointed. I understand that Bible notes and accompanying resources.
WAR is choosing to go in a different direction, He comments, ‘Well it’s going to be more
and I thought that after seventeen years it demanding, but I feel that Steve Legg and
might be time for a change. But when the his team have done such a fantastic job with
announcement was made, I guess we must Sorted magazine and he’s bringing his project
have had 500 people make contact asking management skills, and his experience within
us to find a way of continuing. I have to be the trade has been really invaluable so I’m
honest though and say I was rather enjoying the sure we’ll be OK.’
thought that I would no longer have a 15,000-
word deadline every eight weeks!’ Judging by the reaction to this news around the
world many people are delighted that their daily
As this new chapter begins, I wondered time with Jeff and the Bible is to continue.
what changes we might expect to see, if any,
going forward?
Jeff said, ‘Well there’s a new title, Life With For more information visit:
Jeff Lucas Lucas, and the notes are going to be quarterly, www.lifewithlucas.co.uk
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