Christian Minimalism: Simple Steps for Abundant Living

Lutheran pastor Ehrlich debuts with advice on living a more Christ-centered life with less stuff. Ehrlich, who admits to many “stuff-accumulation” and “stuff-shoving” issues early in life, details how she and her husband got rid of 60% of their possessions by sticking to a program and concentrating on small things, such as focusing first on a single drawer when organizing a room. To that end, she challenges readers to pose the question: “Is this possession/time commitment/activity adding value to my life and the lives of others in Jesus’s name?” She then differentiates between the act of decluttering and a lifestyle of minimalism, exploring key characteristics of Christian minimalism—such as fellowship, service, stewardship, vocation, and spiritual growth—and emphasizing the importance of understanding wants versus needs. She also dispenses tips for self-care—including taking care of one’s body with daily exercise and mental well-being by removing negative people and environments from one’s life—and decluttering one’s schedule by setting times for prayer and being more intentional with technology. Ehrlich’s insightful self-help guide will resonate with Christians wishing to streamline an overstuffed life. [em](May) [/em]