Worth Fighting For: Finding Courage and Compassion When Cruelty Is Trending

by John Pavlovitz

Overview

A 2024 Foreword INDIES Award Finalist

"An urgent and passionate commentator, [John Pavlovitz] lives in the tension between despair and hope." - Presbyterian Outlook

"John Pavlovitz's Worth Fighting For is a stirring playbook for Christians who strive to ensure that kindness triumphs over toxicity. Forthright and encouraging, Worth Fighting For envisions a grassroots revolution of love led by a 'compassionate coalition of those who give a damn.'"-Foreword Reviews

 

John Pavlovitz has inspired millions to keep boldly loving both neighbors and strangers throughout the years of Trump’s hate-mongering campaign and presidency and continues to be a voice of sanity and urgency when so much is still at stake.

It’s a scary time for America, with rights for women and transgender people being rolled back, the truth about Black history and experience being silenced, and unrestricted gun violence on the rise. People who value inclusion, compassion, and the common good are understandably anxious and angry—but we can’t give up hope. We need motivation to keep fighting for justice.

This inspiring volume features Pavlovitz’s most important writing from the past several years alongside brand-new essays to provide the encouragement, stamina, and direction we need to keep going, even when things feel bleak.

Access free resources, including sermon series prompts and a group discussion guide, at www.wjkbooks.com/WorthFightingFor to expand the use of this book to communal and worship settings.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780664268534
Publisher:	Presbyterian Publishing
Publication date:	04/02/2024
Pages:	176
Sales rank:	124,734
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

John Pavlovitz is a writer, pastor, activist, and storyteller from Wake Forest, North Carolina. Over the past decade, his thought-provoking blog, Stuff That Needs to Be Said, has reached a diverse worldwide audience with over one hundred million views. A twenty-five-year veteran in the trenches of local church ministry, Pavlovitz is committed to equality, diversity, and justice—both inside and outside faith communities. His books include A Bigger Table, Stuff That Needs to Be Said, and If God Is Love, Don't Be a Jerk. He currently directs Empathetic People Network, a vibrant online community that connects people from all over the world who want to create a more compassionate planet.

Editorial Reviews

"John Pavlovitz's Worth Fighting For is a stirring playbook for Christians who strive to ensure that kindness triumphs over toxicity. Forthright and encouraging, Worth Fighting For envisions a grassroots revolution of love led by a 'compassionate coalition of those who give a damn.'"-Foreword Reviews

"John's writing is both prophetic and empathetic: bold in its call to social action while keenly aware of the inner workings of the human heart. This book is honest about the dangers of these days, but it beautifully reminds us that we still have agency in what happens next." —Thom Hartmann, New York Times best-selling author and progressive talk show host

"John's new book is an inspiring call to action for anyone who wants to learn how to tap into their humanity and help repair our turbulent and troubled world. With wisdom and insight, John ignites the spark of hope, urging us all to stand up, speak out, and push back against the tide of cruelty currently washing over all of us." –Shannon Watts, Activist and the founder of Moms Demand Action

"Leave it to John Pavlovitz to give you hope while calling you to fight even harder in what feels like an impossible battle for the heart and soul of our country. He shows us how to hang on to our sanity and courage, so that we can maintain the strength it will take to bring honor and decency back into our nation’s politics." –Mary Engelbreit, artist and illustrator

"John Pavlovitz is one of those people who reminds you there's still good in the world. When cruelty becomes popular love becomes brave, and it's writing like this that inspires the courage we need to come together and fix what's broken. I feel deeply grateful for this book." —Leigh McGowan, PoliticsGirl

"John is truly a national treasure. His kindhearted, compassionate words here provide support and wisdom for good people working for a better world. This book is a work of art." —Lindy Li, political commentator and strategist

"An urgent and passionate commentator, [John Pavlovitz] lives in the tension between despair and hope." - Presbyterian Outlook

"The essays feel as raw and as powerful as Pavlovitz’s blog. His confrontational style lends itself more to prodding and validating his fellow progressives than persuading conservative evangelicals. Still, his hopefulness about the fight for social justice is refreshing." - Library Journal

From the Publisher

03/01/2024

Pavlovitz's (If God Is Love, Don't Be a Jerk) book is angry with American Christian conservatives for what he sees as replacing the gospel of love with a MAGA Jesus. He is tired of the fight and is pretty sure he isn't alone. The prolific blogger has arranged 40 of his recent online essays—and some new ones too—into six topical sections in this book: "Warning Lights," "How We Get Better," "Fractures and Fault Lines," "Prodigals and Refugees," "What's at Stake, and "The Future We Want." Each has a new introduction. His essays rail against Christian conservatives and the institutions that support them, sometimes coming off as confrontational, but he also reminds his fellow progressives not to dehumanize Christian conservatives. He also mourns the plight of impoverished people and marginalized communities and admits to his own tiredness and frustration. VERDICT The essays feel as raw and as powerful as Pavlovitz's blog. His confrontational style lends itself more to prodding and validating his fellow progressives than persuading conservative evangelicals. Still, his hopefulness about the fight for social justice is refreshing.—James Wetherbee

Library Journal