You may have noticed that I’ve not shown up at this intersection during the last week or so.  A new job, and, with the new job, the promise of a new book project, have conspired to keep me away.  Much of last week I was out in L.A. on a business trip meeting new colleagues—hence an extended absence from this intersection.

But I can’t say how thrilled I am to be taking a full-time writing job with Elements Behavioral Health, a California-based company with addiction recovery programs nationwide.  What I love about the company is that it exists not just to help persons with addiction find pathways to healing and recovery; it’s also committed to “Creating Extraordinary Lives” (the Elements motto).  (By way of a mini mental health break in this post: I also love the fact that one of my colleagues is the voice behind the now viral ; and, by way of a forewarning, the short video, while very funny to watch, contains an occasional F-bomb.)

While Elements’ current recovery programs feature largely secular, holistic approaches to treating addiction in its many and various forms, Elements is now brokering new relationships with a network of Christian recovery programs nationwide.

Enter me.  I’ve been asked to, among other things, contribute to an e-book that will equip churches for ministry to persons with addiction.  In addition to the book, I’ll be writing…writing…and writing…articles, blogs, white papers, Web copy, you name it, on all things related to addiction and mental health issues like post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD).

What this may mean for you and this fellowship of saints and sinners is:

• that you’ll on occasion be asked for feedback on these sorts of issues.  I hope you’ll feel free to share your views and experiences freely, in the same vein that Rob Bell defines “church”—as “the place where you say the things that have to be said…with the most honesty and vulnerability and prophetic culture.”  In other words, I hope you’ll be able to tell the truth here, and that I can, too.

• that I may not be able to post as frequently, but you’ll have even more opportunities to share your creativity with the rest of the bunch!  I’ll still try to post 2-3 times a week, but realistically, this frequency may not happen.  It’s possible, for example, that I may only post once a week, but focus on one solid, quality piece per week.  In the meantime, you’ll have a chance to feature your own guest posts or feature series.  Just shoot me an email and send me a sample of your work!