Hi, I’m Jen. So glad you’re stopped by!
In case we haven’t met, I’m Jen Pollock Michel. I love poetry and strong coffee, church and clean-smelling sheets. I’ve been married to Ryan since 1996, and we have five children whom we love with all of our hearts. They’re emerging as adults into the world, near-constantly amazing us with their creativity, courage, and commitment.
I’ve been following Jesus since I was 16, and for almost twenty years, I’ve been writing on the life and practice of Christian faith. My first book, Teach Us to Want, was published, in 2014. Since then, I’ve written Keeping Place, Surprised by Paradox, A Habit Called Faith, and In Good Time. If someone were to look for resonances between these book, I would say hope and grief, faith and doubt, desire and surrender.
Since 2020, I’ve been working to keep a rule of life. This practice of faith, which emerged centuries ago in the monastery, seems especially important in a time-pressured, choice-saturated age. I’ve been sharing my learning in virtual intensive workshops as well as in my Substack community. You can find dates for upcoming workshops here.
Why subscribe to A Habit Called Faith?
Habit may not be the first word you think of when it comes to the life of faith, but it’s a word to suggest that faith involves practice. It’s to say that everyone is welcome here: the doubter and deconstructor; the newbie and the old hat. I have no appetite for easy formulations of faith. I’m happy to be honest about what’s beautiful and hard.
Julian of Norwich, the first female faith writer in the English language, articulated in her 14th century A Revelation of Love my own reason for writing: “It is truly love which makes me to tell [my revelation] to you, for I want God to be known and my fellow Christians to prosper, as I hope to prosper myself, by hating sin more and loving God more.”
What’s in the free version?
Every Monday, I send a free letter to all my subscribers. I might share a book I’m reading, offer a biblical reflection, sketch a small disagreement, try out a newly formed idea or insight. These are always small essais to learn publicly alongside you as readers. In various forms, beginning in 2017, these letters have been going out to faithful readers like you. As a subscriber, you’ll also receive updates on other essays I’ve published or interviews I’ve done.
What’s the benefit of a paid subscription?
None, really. Except that your support is received as a gift of vocational encouragement to me. If God leads you to give in this way, thanks in advance.
How can I support your work?
Buy a book. Yes, if I might be so blunt, your purchase of a book (>$20) enables me to keep publishing long-form work. If you value the deep and deliberate work a book represents, I hope you’ll support the authors you read.
