'Somewhere by Chicago'

“Somewhere by Chicago.” That’s an unusual name for a book. Then again, it’s an unusual book — about not so unusual people who faced, unfortunately, not so unusual problems in today’s world. In fact, many folks are going to identify some of the situations as some which they may be experiencing. And hopefully, they’ll be able to see that others have found help in solving their dilemma.

 Author is Miles Finch who, with his wife Karen, served the  Polson  New Life Christian Center  for 37 years until retiring in 2003. He and Karen are now living on Hughes Bay south of Lakeside.

 What makes the book so unusual are the accounts of true life stories about some of his parishioners and other folks in and around Polson and of the life choices they made. Some were serious, meaningful, life-changing choices and their consequences and outcomes. Miles had permission from the people involved to present their stories; and he deals frankly with his own challenges.

 Among his personal challenges was determining whether or not he had made the right choice in deciding to forgo an offer to join the staff of a large church in Los Angeles. When Miles announced that he had decided to go to Polson, Montana, his visiting instructor/mentor at Fuller Theological Seminary was astounded. He exclaimed “Miles, where did you say? Montana? You’re going to MONTANA? Where’s that? Somewhere by Chicago?”

 He and Karen started here with a congregation of 29 members. He writes, “By working real hard for three years, I got it down to thirteen! I joke about it now, but it really isn’t a joke because that’s what happened.”

 So how did things get turned around? That’s one of the stories you’ll find in “Somewhere by Chicago.” And 23 other chapters showing how God can work in people’s lives despite their challenges.

 Eugene H. Peterson, translator of “The Message,” writes “Ever wonder what pastors do between Sundays? This book gives you the inside story; twenty-four stories selected from behind the scenes… You will laugh and you will cry, but you will not be bored. Dealing with God in people’s lives is the stuff of high drama.”

 There will be a reception and book signing at New Life Christian Center in Polson from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20.  Books are available now at the New Life Book Store.