A New Book from G. Thomas Luck, Bexley Seabury ’22

The Rev. Dr. G. Thomas Luck, Bexley Seabury ’22, has a new book from Wipf and Stock: Participation in God: A Theological Framework for Individual and Congregational Development.  Tom Luck’s insights offer a comprehensive framework for personal and congregational development through theological and psychological lenses.

Much of the reading and writing for the book were done during the COVID-19 pandemic, which raised new questions about how Christian communities gather without being in person. This in turn has prompted new questions and thoughts about the nature of worship, ecclesiology, and adaptive challenges, questions that Luck addresses through a theology of participation in God, particularly participation in God's glory. 

Luck sees that there are many good resources for individual and community development, but few that talk about where God enters the conversation. His book explores the question “What does God have to do with you and your community?” and develops a particular theology of participation in the life of God and describes how this theology of participation in God informs individual and congregational development. Drawing on the work of Richard Hooker, he highlights adaptive change as a means of participating in the diving life. The book is geared towards practitioners, educators, and anyone seeking spiritual growth.

Luck studied cognitive psychology at Austin College and received his MDiv from Nashotah House before receiving his DMin in Congregational Development from Bexley Seabury. He pursued further studies at Harvard through the “Ministers in the Vicinity” program, where he was exposed to cognitive psychological concepts and liturgical insights through courses like “Faith in its Transformations Across the Lifespan”. Currently the Vicar of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Mason, Texas, Luck has previously served congregations in Texas, New Hampshire, Maine, and New York in rural, suburban, and urban contexts. He has served as wine advisor in various wineries and restaurants. With his wife, Jane, he lives in Fredericksburg, Texas. They share seven grandchildren and one dog. 

The book can be purchased on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or ordered directly from the publisher Wipf and Stock. Get more information or view an occasional blog at participationingod.com or sign up at participationingod@gmail.com.