Debut Author ~ Jonathan Acuff

Sometimes, we fall in love on mission trips even though we know we’ll break up when we get back. Sometimes, you have to shot block a friend’s prayer because she’s asking God to bless an obviously bad dating relationship. Sometimes, you think, “I wish I had a t-shirt that said ‘I direct deposit my tithe’ so people wouldn’t judge me.”

Sometimes, the stuff that comes with faith is funny.

This is that stuff.

Jonathan Acuff’s Stuff Christians Like is your field guide to all things Christian. In it you’ll learn the culinary magic of the crock-pot. Think you’ve got a Metro worship leader-Use Acuff’s checklist. Want to avoid a prayer handholding faux pas? Acuff has you covered.

Like a satirical grenade, Acuff brings us the humor and honesty that galvanized more than a million online readers from more than 200 countries in a new portable version. Welcome to the funny side of faith.

Tell me a little bit about your background and your family.

I grew up in Massachusetts with two younger brothers and a younger sister. My dad is a minister and that’s how I learned about a lot of the things I write about on SCL.

What do you like to do in your spare time? Hobbies?

I like to run when I have time. More than anything, I like to play and hang out with my wife and kids. I have two daughters, ages 6 and 4 and they are awesome.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

Flight. Everyone wants to be superman.

What has God been teaching you lately?

Patience. He’s been teaching me about the slow build up of patience and how slowness is not a punishment.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

In the 3rd grade I decided I wanted to be a writer.

Where are you headed next?

I’m going to Nashville, Houston and Dallas in the next few weeks.

How did you get involved in writing?

A teacher in the third grade laminated some poems I wrote and I fell in love with it then.

What was the most difficult aspect of the writing process?

Finishing a piece. Starting is so much easier.

What did you enjoy most about the writing process?

The brainstorming part.

How do you find time to write?

I get up at 5AM before anyone in my family is up.

Where did you get the idea for the book?

There was a popular site called Stuff White People Like. I feel like it’s weird that we Christians always steal popular secular ideas like making “Got Milk?” say “Got God?” I thought it would be a good idea to discuss that problem by committing that problem.

What are the major themes of the book?

I try to clear the clutter of Christianity away so we can see the beauty of Christ.

What kind of research did you have to do for the book?

Writing the site gave me lots of things to talk about and write about.

What do you hope readers will take away from your book?

That they’ll know how fun and full of laughter a life of faith can be.

What would you say to someone who wants to become a published author?

Pick a time to write and then do it. Don’t debate whether you will write each day, just write.

About the Author:

For the last ten years, Jonathan Acuff has written advertising for clients ranging from the Home Depot to Chick-fil-A. In addition to his many day jobs, he also writes a blog called www.stuffchristianslike.net. He and his wife live with their two daughters outside of Atlanta, Georgia.

Learn more about Jonathan at http://stuffchristianslike.net.

Stuff Christians Like
Release: March 2010
Soft cover, 208 pp.
ISBN: 0310319943