Reading schedule, email reminders, study guides, podcasts, and essays.
Exclusive content from the author or seasoned guide.
Thoughtful discussion with other Book Club members.
Facilitated by Rich Villodas 
Facilitated by Jon R. Kershner 
Facilitated by Winn Collier 
Facilitated by Gary Moon + Renovaré Ministry Team Members
Questions & Answers
- What is Renovaré?
Founded by Celebration of Discipline author Richard J. Foster, Renovaré is a Christian nonprofit that creates resources and kindles communities which help people become more like Jesus. Learn more about Renovaré.
- What are the benefits of Membership?
Membership includes reading schedule with email reminders, study guides, podcasts, essays and a members-only discussion forum where you can interact with other members and the Renovaré team members leading the sessions. Membership also includes access to volunteer-led meet-up groups — virtual or in-person (when safe) — in select areas.
- When does the Book Club begin? Can I join anytime?
Our 2021 – 22 season began on October 4, 2021. You may join any time during the season and have access to the bonus features of all four books (articles and podcasts, as well as discussion board conversations).
Due to the event-like nature of the Book Club, memberships are not returnable/refundable. Thanks for your understanding and for your support of the work of Renovaré.
- How long will I have access to the Book Club resources and discussions?
Once you join, you will have perpetual access to this season’s resources and access to the discussion forums throughout the summer. We leave everything accessible on the Book Club dashboard through early September.
Once we archive all of the resources, we send members a link to access them going forward. We do not preserve the discussion boards past the summer.
- Are books included with Membership?
Members must purchase or otherwise obtain this season’s books.
Books may be borrowed from your local library, purchased at your local bookseller, or purchased using Amazon or CBD links on the Book Club purchase page (links support Renovaré).
All of this season’s books are also available in ebook format through online retailers as well. (Please note: The ebook edition we’re using of John Woolman’s Journal is only available through the publisher link on the purchase page — the discount for Book Club members also applies to the ebook).
- Does it matter which editions of the books I use?
Readers often find it easier to use the recommended editions, as page numbers and other details can be edition-specific. If you use an edition other than the one recommended, you may need to do some adaptation.
Note: We are also aware that our readers are increasingly using ebook versions of the texts, and we will do our best to make the reading assignments make sense for the digital versions of our chosen editions as well.
- I have an older version of Renovation of the Heart. Do I need the new one?
In the case of Renovation of the Heart, our understanding is that the new anniversary edition includes a new forward and epilogue, but the main text should be largely unchanged from previous editions. Page numbers will vary, but otherwise the older edition will work just fine.
- Virtual and in-person groups: How do they work? When do they meet? Does Renovaré facilitate them?
We have been greatly encouraged by the local communities, led by our wonderful member-volunteers.
Due to varying local COVID-19 guidelines, we are again offering our volunteer hosts the option of hosting an online-only meet-up (open to members across the globe) or a local in-person meet-up. Renovaré publishes the list of volunteers and the meet-up times and days but does not have a direct role in hosting the groups.
That said, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Your membership fee covers the study guide, podcasts, essays, weekly reminders, and access to the online community. Meet-ups, whether virtual or in-person, are a free bonus to the Book Club made possible by volunteers. Because of that, Renovaré cannot accept responsibility for individuals’ experiences — whether as host or participant — in a Book Club group.
- You must be a member of the Book Club to connect with a local host. We have assured our hosts that their information will only be made available to those who belong to the Book Club. Once you join, you will receive a special link to the coordinators’ names and email addresses so you can connect with them.
- Dates and times of meet-ups are set by hosts and are published on the Book Club website for your convenience.
New volunteers are signing up to lead all the time, so do continue to check the listings as we draw nearer to the start date. If you would like to volunteer to lead a group online or in-person, please use this Group Coordinator Application Form.
We expect our Book Club members to treat one another as Jesus would, with the highest level of honor and respect. Any sort of abuse or harassment will not be tolerated — whether in-person or online.
Thank you!
- How do I find out if there is a meetup group in my area?
A map is available at renovare.org/bookclub/locations. You must be a member of the Book Club to contact local volunteer hosts about meet-up times and locations. You will receive a special link that has host contact information in your welcome email once you join the Club. Thanks!
- Who chooses the books?
Each year the Renovaré Book Club Selection Committee, which includes Carolyn Arends, Richard Foster, and other Renovaré team members, meets and chooses the titles for the Book Club. Dozens of new and classic books are considered and carefully narrowed down to four choices. This is an independent selection process — no publisher can pay to have its book included.
- Who are the moderators of the Book Club? Can I interact with them online?
Each session has a facilitator (either the author or an expert on the book) who will help you grow as you read each title. They provide bonus articles and podcast messages about the book, but they do not engage on the discussion forums. You will have an opportunity to post a question for the facilitator that might be included in each session’s third and final podcast/webcast, which is driven by members’ questions.
Our Renovaré staff works together to moderate the discussion board and engages as they are able.
Finally, our regional virtual and in-person meet-up groups are coordinated by volunteer Book Club members.
- How do I access downloads and participate in the discussions?
All resources and discussion are through a special Book Club members website. Members receive their login information via email within a half an hour of joining the Book Club.
- What is the time commitment when I join the Book Club? Do I have to participate at a certain time or day of the week?
The Renovaré Book Club can fit just about any schedule. We read each book over six weeks but include a prep week at the start and a wrap-up week at the end, so there is plenty of cushion. The reading “assignments” are not more than 50 pages per week.
At the beginning of each book, our members receive an outline of the proposed reading schedule. Every Monday, we send out an update that includes:
- A reminder of that week’s reading assignment
- A supplementary resource (usually an article or a podcast) from that book’s facilitator
- (Sometimes) optional bonus resources for members who want to go deeper
- A discussion question for those who wish to engage in online discussion.
All of the resources, once posted, are available all season. There are no “live” online discussions (members can post at any time), and you may engage as much or as little as you would like online.
Members who participate in a virtual or in-person meet-up led by a volunteer coordinator will gather once-a-month at a time and day determined by the volunteer.
- Can I use the Club for my pre-existing book club or small group?
We do not have a flat-fee licensing system for our current Book Club. We do offer an expanding collection of Book Club materials from previous Book Club books that you may purchase for your group. You may find them here: Interactive Book Study Guides
That said, we’d also love it if any or all of your group were to join the 2021 – 22 season, and we can certainly set up your own online discussion forum group if you do.
- Can I purchase a Book Club Membership as a gift for someone else?
Yes. Thank you for wanting to give a membership to the Renovaré Book Club!
At this time, if you would like to give a gift membership to the Book Club, please use the regular “Join” link at renovare.org/bookclub and enter your recipient’s information (name and email) with your information for billing.- I have another question.
Justine Olawsky and Kristy Lahoda are glad to help. Email them at [email protected]renovare.org.