The end of the title of this small book,  "a way of life", is it's appeal.  Rather than trying to present the teachings of the New Church in a systematic way, the author Jan Weiss is passing on the benefits that have come his way through living them.  Jan identifies the human problem and offers a solution which is personal from the discovered and experienced benefits of his faith.

When people come to us and ask about our religion, the bottom line is, "What's in it for me?"  "What are the benefits of being New Church?"  It is a fundamental tenet of marketing that you promote a product highlighting the benefits it offers, rather than what it is actually made of.    It is not acquired because of the materials themselves, unless they also offer some extra benefits like durability or lightness. We are to follow this example.  Hopefully we can, otherwise we have a credibility gap!

One of the tenets of church growth is to find a hurt or felt need and heal it.  In this booklet the author identifies 19 of these and offers his religious means of healing.  He therefore speaks in terms such as, "In my religion" .  He owns it.  It is not abstract but from life. His manner of sharing reminds me of Helen Keller's My Religion or Light in My Darkness.

We are offered the book as a tool to help us in evangelization.  We can use it as it is or we can also use it as a training guide.  It may inspire us to follow the same method and use our own words and experiences in our contacts.  The important thing is for us to acknowledge the needs and if necessary, memorize them.  When listening to others, we may recognise an expression of one or more of these needs and offer the booklet as a means of meeting them.

The New Church person who wants use the booklet is given a lot of help in the "approach"  web site at : http://www.secondadvent.net/approach.html
Also inside the front and back covers is another good marketing tool.  The inquirer is offered more than one way in which further interest can be pursued.

The book is only 55 pages and easy to read.  The short chapters are broken up into brief subjects and ideas with bold headings.  These draw your interest and also help you to find what you might be looking for quickly.

This small publication has the potential to be a powerful tool in one to one evangelization, which is the most powerful form of evangelization.  I recommend it and hope it needs a reprint.  I am using the booklet and the method in my church groups in New Zealand.

Dear Rev. Weiss,

I am meticulously reading through your booklet "Facing Fears - Finding Happiness", and so far I am thrilled. It is very easy to read, it is genuine, and relates to all walks of life. The fear/love subject makes me think deeply about my emotions and aspects in life that are of concern. It shows how God can be an integral part of my life and abolish my fears. Thank you so much for introducing me to your booklet, and your religion.

I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I am currently working as a Pediatric Intensive Care Nurse. I love my job working as a nurse, but I wanted to do more, and there I was undecided. I knew that I did not want to go to graduate school for a masters in nursing since my passion is not in the field  of nursing.

I love studying the subjects of psychology and philosophy. While studying for my BS in Nursing, I minored in Religious Studies and spent a lot of time reading philosophy and psychology. Since I have always worked well with children, I knew this was the group I wanted to work with in a career, but I still did not know where to focus my graduate studies.until I read "Facing Fears - Finding Happiness". The topics of family and the education of children really hit home for me, and helped me focus on my final goal.

Your booklet encouraged and influenced me in my career choice. I had all the answers there, I just needed your booklet to help me figure it out! Currently I am taking strictly psychology classes as I want to obtain a Bachelor Of Science in Psychology and then go to graduate school for my PH.D in  child psychology.

It is wonderful for my mind to be challenged by the New Church doctrine- I can relate so much to your religion and find it very enlightening. I want you to know I am sending a copy of your booklet to my family so they too can be exposed to the religion that I now want to be my own.
Sincerely, Ruth

Dear Jan,

Yesterday I "sold" a copy of your booklet "Facing Fears....Finding Happiness".  I had loaned it to my mother to read.  Though I have tried many books over the past few years, she is 78 years old and tells me she does not understand what she reads in them. What she knows about the New Church I tell her.

My mom is extremely frugal, and for her to spend $5 for your booklet is a big deal.  She was willing to do that, she said, because "this one I understand".

Thank you for writing this booklet.  I will keep you posted on my mom's progress.  And, oh yes, my mom says "hello" to you.
Louise

Dear Jan,

The Lord makes ALL things new. Insights come from  personal application. This involves self-awareness, repentance, reforming, and leading a new life - repenting and being good.

What worries me is that there are many people sitting in the pews that never hear anything new!  I see it as the greatest stumbling block to evangelisation.  -  people having no lifechanging experiences to share with others.

This is why I like Jan's new booklet because it seeks to promote this one to one sharing.  
Dick Keyworth

Dear Jan,

What I like about the booklet is the compact statements, putting truths in today's language and in a manner which offers practical application.  In this way it is not esoteric and separate from application. I particularly like the section on Defense Against Vulnerability.  Defense mechanisms we invent to cover over or deal with our vulnerability, like belligerence, manipulation and intimidation.  We can hide under a rough exterior that makes us feel safe.   Very good stuff Jan.  You have capsulated so much in a few thoughts.  It helped me see myself more clearly.

Norm