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Andrew Pratt is a Methodist minister who is also well known as a hymn writer and poet. Inspire has previously published Andrew’s book, Inextinguishable Blaze, a collection of meditations on Charles Wesley’s hymns, and Poppies and Snowdrops, a prayer resource for the bereaved and for those who work with the dying, which he co-authored with Marjorie Dobson.

This is Andrew’s take on his latest book, Net Gains:

The ’phone rang. I picked it up. ‘Could you baptize my dog please?’ Honestly, that’s what she said!

Any minister has stories to tell. That one had nothing much to do with dogs and more to do with bereavement. And that’s why I wrote Net Gains. Well, in part anyway. Day by day we are confronted by people who misunderstand the church, but who should not be ridiculed. We meet with young children, the sceptics of this world, bemused teenagers, widows and redundant professionals who once felt that their jobs were secure for life. All are human. All are like us. All deserve our respect. All are loved by the God that we worship and seek to serve.

After 26 years of ministry, only the last few in a theological college, I wanted to reminisce, but hopefully in a practical way that would help others. The book I had in mind started from real events, but drew from them general lessons that I’d learnt along the way and that I thought might help others. I didn’t want them to make the mistakes that I had made. As the book unfolded I found that I was writing for ministers, of course, those in training and those starting out. But I was also writing for those who support them and work with them. This is about meetings as well as marriage, support as well as sacraments. It was born in Methodism, so there’s the verse of a hymn here and there throughout the text to prove it, but the content is not constrained by it.

Since writing the book I’ve found those who are considering ministry browsing it too, and the view it takes is broad. This ministry is not just for the ordained.

I enjoyed writing it. If it helps too, that’s great. If you enjoy reading it, even better!

And that title, Net Gains? A bit of fun. I trained as marine biologist, so that’s a hint. Then there’s the story of the call of the fishermen in the gospels. But in the end I reckon the net gain is what’s left of God’s people, of their lives and hopes, when my ministry, your ministry is done.

And that’s a challenge!

Ann Lewin is the author of Inspire titles Watching for the Kingfisher and Words by the Way. An accomplished poet, Ann is also a leader of retreats, workshops and quiet days. She was a teacher for 27 years, and was later a Welfare Adviser in the Students’ Union at Southampton University. She has also worked as a local tutor on the Southern Theological Education and Training Scheme. Ann lists her hobbies as reading, music and, perhaps most importantly, bird-watching, which plays an important part in her work as a poet and retreat leader.

Ann’s poetry, which is widely used throughout the wider Church, is born from her own life experiences and her awareness of God’s presence in her life, with which many people can identify. The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Revd Graham James, comments in Watching for the Kingfisher, ‘Ann brings a fresh perspective to gospel and biblical characters . . . she helps illuminate reality with new shafts of light.’

Words by the Way is a collection of ideas and worship resources for a wider range of occasions. Many of them have been requested by people who have enjoyed Ann Lewin’s ministry as a retreat leader.

Ann Lewin’s latest title for Inspire is Growing in Love, written out of Ann’s love of the life and writings of Julian of Norwich. Writing of the continued appeal of Julian’s work, Ann comments:

The reason why Julian’s work has become one of the classics of the literature of spirituality lies in the insights that flowed from her experience, insights that many people have found liberating and helpful whenever the state of the world or of human nature has seemed overwhelming, when imagery has appeared constricting, or when prayer has gone dead.

Growing in Love is designed for both individual readers and study groups, for use, for example, during Lent.

Titles by Ann Lewin