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discipl·ish: My Unconventional Pilgrimage thru Faith, Art, & Evangelical Culture
The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first… blowout. In the spring of 1980, Mike Duran responded to an altar call and surrendered his life to Jesus Christ. It’d been a hard road home. Raised Catholic, in an alcoholic home, somehow he’d gone off the rails, plunging into the world of rock music, psychedelic drugs, and occultism. However, his conversion would change all that. Suddenly Mike was a Jesus freak! But his adventure was just beginning. Seventeen years from that day, he would be stripped of a pastoral title, publicly disciplined, and disband the church he had pastored for over a decade. Was he just another ministerial casualty? Or was this part of some larger divine plan? Having little education and few marketable skills, Mike's wife and family were forced to empty the small retirement account they’d accumulated and he took a minimum wage construction job working the night shift. Thus began an unconventional pilgrimage. Faith journeys come in all shapes and sizes. No one is exactly alike. Sometimes they leave us wounded and broken, questioning God and ourselves. Sometimes they leave us shipwrecked. This is a memoir of one man’s unconventional faith journey. Along the way, you'll meet a cast of colorful, often tragic characters who help Mike ponder theology, art, and wonky religious minutiae. This is not a de-conversion story. Neither is it a manual for "victorious Christian living." Rather, it is a tale about spiritual blowouts… and how one man's faith survived them.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 8, 2018
5 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Mike Duran
18 books197 followersMIKE DURAN is a novelist, artist, and freelance writer. Mike writes fiction and non-fiction. He is the author of THE GHOST BOX (Blue Crescent Press, 2014), which was selected by Publishers Weekly as one of the best indie novels of 2015 and first in a paranoir series that continues with SAINT DEATH (2016), and THE THIRD GOLEM (2020). He's also the author of several novellas, including KEEPER OF THE WOODS (2024), THE VISITANT (2022), and WICKERS BOG (2016). In addition, Mike has written several non-fiction titles including CHRISTIAN HORROR: ON THE COMPATABILITY OF A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW AND THE HORROR GENRE (2023) and CHRISTIANS & CONSPIRACY THEORIES (2023). Mike's short stories, essays, and commentary have appeared in Breakpoint, Relief Journal, Cemetery Gates Media, The Gospel Coalition, The Stream, Relevant Online, Bewildering Stories, Rue Morgue, Zombies magazine, and other print and digital outlets. Mike is interested in religion, science, conspiracism, media, books & monsters. You can learn more about Mike Duran, his writing projects, cultural commentary, philosophical musings, and arcane interests, at his website.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 17, 2023
I’ll admit, I’ve had this book sitting in my eBook library for some time. I suspect I picked it up during a sale or giveaway, but then forgot about it. However, after seeing the “Jesus Revolution” movie in the theaters, I recalled (because I know a bit about Mike’s early life) that he was part of that movement. I was curious if he’d run into any of the people from the film. Turns out he had! He even attended Greg Laurie’s church for a time.
But that’s only a small portion of Mike’s story. Frankly, I found the whole account fascinating. Mike has experienced a lot in his years and known many interesting characters. (Little wonder his speculative works are so enjoyable. He has large well to draw from.) This book is both his faith journey and his vocational journey. Like any good adventure, there are lots of twists and turns. There’s plenty of introspection here too. Accounts of human failings and institutional failings. Heavy tests and happenings. It’s a transparent and honest review, but always hopeful. My life has been different than Mike’s in many ways, but I still found much to identify with—similar experiences and revelations.
Again, I thoroughly enjoyed “discipl-ish.” Highly recommend it.
But that’s only a small portion of Mike’s story. Frankly, I found the whole account fascinating. Mike has experienced a lot in his years and known many interesting characters. (Little wonder his speculative works are so enjoyable. He has large well to draw from.) This book is both his faith journey and his vocational journey. Like any good adventure, there are lots of twists and turns. There’s plenty of introspection here too. Accounts of human failings and institutional failings. Heavy tests and happenings. It’s a transparent and honest review, but always hopeful. My life has been different than Mike’s in many ways, but I still found much to identify with—similar experiences and revelations.
Again, I thoroughly enjoyed “discipl-ish.” Highly recommend it.
August 7, 2018
An honest and moving exploration of life and faith
Mike Duran is the best indie author I’ve ever read, and I’m convinced the only thing that kept this particular book from finding a home with a traditional publisher is the essential honesty with which he recalls his own life story. He hasn’t omitted the weird, the painful, or the unsavory. Nor has he expurgated the reality of God’s presence on earth.
I admit that my reading was probably influenced by the shared personal experiences; I’m amazed at how many times I found myself thinking, “You too?” And this probably made the book more relatable to me than it will be to others.
That said, if you are willing to honestly examine the beauty and sadness of a broken world through one man’s disciple-ish eyes, this book won’t disappoint you.
Mike Duran is the best indie author I’ve ever read, and I’m convinced the only thing that kept this particular book from finding a home with a traditional publisher is the essential honesty with which he recalls his own life story. He hasn’t omitted the weird, the painful, or the unsavory. Nor has he expurgated the reality of God’s presence on earth.
I admit that my reading was probably influenced by the shared personal experiences; I’m amazed at how many times I found myself thinking, “You too?” And this probably made the book more relatable to me than it will be to others.
That said, if you are willing to honestly examine the beauty and sadness of a broken world through one man’s disciple-ish eyes, this book won’t disappoint you.
July 12, 2019
Confession: I've known Mike Duran for many years. I've loved his fiction, we've exchanged lots of emails and phone calls, and I consider him not only a colleague, but also a friend. That having been said: this is an excellent story about his journey of faith, through vocational ministry, personal ministry, and artistic ministry. One of the things I've always loved about Mike's approach to art and fiction and faith is that he embraces the concept of Mystery. He's a contradiction, in many ways. Progressives probably find him too conservative. Conservatives - especially those engaged in the arts and fiction - certainly find him to progressive. Regardless, the story of Mike's journey gives a wonderful context to his philosophical positions. As he quotes poet and essayist Diane Akerman: "It began in mystery, and it will end in mystery, but what a savage and beautiful country lies in between."
May 13, 2018
Discipl-ish by Mike Duran is a memoir of his rocky life, first as an altar boy in a Catholic church, then as a delinquent teen, then as a young man who accepted Christ and had pastorhood thrust upon him way too early.
Over the course of trying to run a church, he made mistakes, fell into bad company, and eventually enabled a whirlwind of spiritual abuse that made me physically ill to read about. I had to keep putting the book down because it upset me so deeply.
Eventually, Mike's pastorate was stripped from him and the church dissolved. This is where most memoirs of this kind follow the person into a journey away from Christianity and how much "happier" they are with no religion at all. Mike, fortunately, doesn't do that. He clings to Jesus, works through forgiveness, and lets go of the negative emotions that usually consume people who walk away from the faith.
After he moves on into other jobs and picks up writing, he chronicles helping people far more than he did as a pastor, much more one on one. Throughout the book, he wrestles with questions like, can people from other religions be saved? Can it be possible to hold two opposing theological positions at the same time, like Calvinism and Arminianism? Is it possible to find peace with paradox?
His roots as a horror writer also stem from his religious background, which is fascinating to read, too. I was reminded constantly of Stephen King's semi-memoir, On Writing, in which some of the same elements appear (drugs, a fascination with the occult, etc.).
The book is a gripping read. It's like sitting down with a friend over coffee and listening as they tell you a fantastically interesting story. Once they finish, you look down and your coffee is cold because you were listening so intently. I pretty much devoured the whole book in a few days because Mike's storytelling is so compelling.
I'm not really into memoirs, but this is a good one.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book. My review and thoughts are my own.
Over the course of trying to run a church, he made mistakes, fell into bad company, and eventually enabled a whirlwind of spiritual abuse that made me physically ill to read about. I had to keep putting the book down because it upset me so deeply.
Eventually, Mike's pastorate was stripped from him and the church dissolved. This is where most memoirs of this kind follow the person into a journey away from Christianity and how much "happier" they are with no religion at all. Mike, fortunately, doesn't do that. He clings to Jesus, works through forgiveness, and lets go of the negative emotions that usually consume people who walk away from the faith.
After he moves on into other jobs and picks up writing, he chronicles helping people far more than he did as a pastor, much more one on one. Throughout the book, he wrestles with questions like, can people from other religions be saved? Can it be possible to hold two opposing theological positions at the same time, like Calvinism and Arminianism? Is it possible to find peace with paradox?
His roots as a horror writer also stem from his religious background, which is fascinating to read, too. I was reminded constantly of Stephen King's semi-memoir, On Writing, in which some of the same elements appear (drugs, a fascination with the occult, etc.).
The book is a gripping read. It's like sitting down with a friend over coffee and listening as they tell you a fantastically interesting story. Once they finish, you look down and your coffee is cold because you were listening so intently. I pretty much devoured the whole book in a few days because Mike's storytelling is so compelling.
I'm not really into memoirs, but this is a good one.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book. My review and thoughts are my own.
September 12, 2018
I think this book provides a beneficial perspective for both pastors and congregants. Besides the fact that it is a heck of a good story, and a true one at that. It's like balm. Some of it I could relate to personally because I came to faith around the same time. I remember some of the idiosyncrasies of the church culture of that era; I also have some precious memories and lifelong friendships and lessons forged then. I C&P the synopsis from the back cover because I cannot improve on it. I hope it will entice you to read his story.
"In the spring of 1980, Mike Duran responded to an altar call and surrendered his life to Jesus Christ. It’d been a hard road home. Raised Catholic, in an alcoholic home, somehow he’d gone off the rails, plunging into the world of rock music, psychedelic drugs, and occultism. However, his conversion would change all that. Suddenly Mike was a Jesus freak!
But his adventure was just beginning.
Seventeen years from that day, he would be stripped of a pastoral title, publicly disciplined, and disband the church he had pastored for over a decade. Was he just another ministerial casualty? Or was this part of some larger divine plan? Having little education and few marketable skills, Mike's wife and family were forced to empty the small retirement account they’d accumulated and he took a minimum wage construction job working the night shift.
Thus began an unconventional pilgrimage.
Faith journeys come in all shapes and sizes. No one is exactly alike. Sometimes they leave us wounded and broken, questioning God and ourselves. Sometimes they leave us shipwrecked. This is a memoir of one man’s unconventional faith journey. Along the way, you'll meet a cast of colorful, often tragic characters who help Mike ponder theology, art, and wonky religious minutiae. This is not a de-conversion story. Neither is it a manual for "victorious Christian living." Rather, it is a tale about spiritual blowouts… and how one man's faith survived them."
"In the spring of 1980, Mike Duran responded to an altar call and surrendered his life to Jesus Christ. It’d been a hard road home. Raised Catholic, in an alcoholic home, somehow he’d gone off the rails, plunging into the world of rock music, psychedelic drugs, and occultism. However, his conversion would change all that. Suddenly Mike was a Jesus freak!
But his adventure was just beginning.
Seventeen years from that day, he would be stripped of a pastoral title, publicly disciplined, and disband the church he had pastored for over a decade. Was he just another ministerial casualty? Or was this part of some larger divine plan? Having little education and few marketable skills, Mike's wife and family were forced to empty the small retirement account they’d accumulated and he took a minimum wage construction job working the night shift.
Thus began an unconventional pilgrimage.
Faith journeys come in all shapes and sizes. No one is exactly alike. Sometimes they leave us wounded and broken, questioning God and ourselves. Sometimes they leave us shipwrecked. This is a memoir of one man’s unconventional faith journey. Along the way, you'll meet a cast of colorful, often tragic characters who help Mike ponder theology, art, and wonky religious minutiae. This is not a de-conversion story. Neither is it a manual for "victorious Christian living." Rather, it is a tale about spiritual blowouts… and how one man's faith survived them."
July 31, 2018
Raw, honest, insightful
Mike Duran offers the reader his raw, honest, and insightful testimony as a follower of Christ. In places, it is inspiring. In others, it is uncomfortably honest...because an honest reader will recognize similarities to pitfalls they have faced in their own walk with Christ. No doubt it took a lot of courage for Duran to write and publish this, and it is a worthwhile read.
Mike Duran offers the reader his raw, honest, and insightful testimony as a follower of Christ. In places, it is inspiring. In others, it is uncomfortably honest...because an honest reader will recognize similarities to pitfalls they have faced in their own walk with Christ. No doubt it took a lot of courage for Duran to write and publish this, and it is a worthwhile read.
April 4, 2022
awesome
Thanks for the viewpoint of your life. I really enjoyed the stories and perspectives. Glad you wrote this book. Recommend this to all
Thanks for the viewpoint of your life. I really enjoyed the stories and perspectives. Glad you wrote this book. Recommend this to all
December 22, 2023
Mike's tale of his journey with Christ is brutal and honest, yet tempered with a humility. His critiques of the sins and foibles of the Bride of Christ are challenging to read because it is very easy to see oneself in them. But this is no deconstructionists tale. Mike does not fall into the arrogant rebellion that so many critics of Christianity do. Instead, the reader is forced to rest in the Perfection of God, the one who saves and sanctifies his bride, even though she is a real mess.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews