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Joyful Outsiders: Six Ways to Live Like Jesus in a Disorienting Culture Paperback – January 21, 2025
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No one wants to miss out. But our culture is changing so rapidly we all feel like outsiders. What if that's exactly what Jesus wants? It's time to leave behind the fear of missing out and embrace JOMO: the joy of missing out!
You probably feel more like an outsider in our culture today than you did ten years ago. If that's the case, you're not alone. The question is, what kind of outsider will you become? Will you become a combative outsider and rage against your enemies? Will you become a conformist outsider and mirror the world around you? Will you become a conflict-averse outsider and avoid confrontation at all costs?
Jesus has so much for you. He's called you to be a joyful outsider like him. He was crucified as an outcast outside the city. Now he welcomes you to join him; to die to yourself and discover that sacrificial love has the power to change the world.
In Joyful Outsiders, pastors Patrick Miller and Keith Simon will train you how to be a joyful outsider by laying out six ways to navigate a confusing culture at home, at work, and beyond. They draw on the examples of biblical characters to introduce six types of joyful outsiders: the artist, the protestor, the builder, the advisor, the ambassador, and the trainer. In Joyful Outsiders, you will:
- Discover joy by embracing your identity as an outsider
- Find which of the six ways God is calling you to follow
- Experience freedom from fear of the world and anger toward it
- Learn how to both resist and cultivate the world around you
You might be an outsider in today's world, but that doesn't mean Jesus can't use you to change it. God wants to guide you into your calling, train you for action, and equip you to become a confident, Christlike culture changer.
- Print length272 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherZondervan
- Publication dateJanuary 21, 2025
- Dimensions5.43 x 0.65 x 8.4 inches
- ISBN-10031036874X
- ISBN-13978-0310368748
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Editorial Reviews
Review
Following and embodying the way of Jesus in our fractured world often feels like a futile, fruitless endeavor. But as Dietrich Bonhoeffer reminded us, 'When Christ bids a man come, he bids him come and die.' How do we do this? Joyful Outsiders offers us a prophetic and pragmatic way forward. Rather than providing a rigid set of to-dos, Miller and Simon remind us that '[Our] exile is creative tension. It is holy improvisation.' This culturally astute and pastorally sensitive book is an important resource for all those who long to live the way of Jesus amid the idolatry of our modern Babylon. -- Jay Y. Kim, pastor; author
How should Christians navigate the uncertain waters of late modern culture? This is one of the most pressing questions facing the church today. Should we critique, or should we cultivate? Should we resist, or should we seek to serve? Enter Patrick Miller and Keith Simon's Joyful Outsiders: a practical, elegant handbook to help everyday Christians chart a course marked by faithfulness, discernment, and joy. Wisely rejecting a one-size-fits-all approach to cultural engagement, Miller and Simon present six complementary models, drawing profound lessons from figures like Esther, Daniel, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. This book is a rich resource for Christians who want to live well in our complex cultural moment. -- Christopher Watkin, associate professor of European languages, Monash University, Australia; author, Biblical Critical Theory
I'm unusually excited about this book. We need this. Read it. Think about it. Share it. Discuss it. Above all: Let's do it. And thank you, Patrick and Keith. Now I don't have to write this book, and mine wouldn't have been this good. -- Brant Hansen, radio/podcast host; bestselling author, Unoffendable
Joyful Outsiders is the book the church needs right now. In a deeply divided society, many Christians feel torn. Should they retreat, relent, or rage against the culture? Patrick and Keith show why there are far better options on offer for Christ followers. Compelling biblical insights are matched by practical examples of how Christians can live faithfully for God in the midst of Babylon. I hope every pastor, leader, and congregant will read this book and put it into practice. -- Justin Brierley, broadcaster; speaker; author, The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God
Living as an outsider may not seem to spark joy. But Patrick Miller and Keith Simon show us how we find joy when we follow Jesus on the margins of our disorienting culture. Their message counters so much of the fear and loathing perpetuated in politics and media. They offer practical hope for every Christian in this engaging, accessible book. -- Collin Hansen, vice president for content/editor-in-chief, The Gospel Coalition; host, Gospelbound podcast
Patrick Miller and Keith Simon have written a timely and practical book for readers to embrace living in the unresolved tension of our present-day metaphorical Babylon. Joyful Outsiders offers a fantastic way to engage the culture around us--not by becoming 'insiders' but by in fact becoming more like Jesus in his role as an outsider. I found myself excited to consider how I could move into the various outsider roles of the trainer, the advisor, the artist, the ambassador, the protester, or the builder while learning the pitfalls of each. This book will fortify your spirit and invite you to reframe cultural tension as beautifully ripe with possibility. As Miller and Simon tell us, 'Babylon is everywhere, and Jesus has given you the responsibility of cultivating good within it.' You'll love this book and will want to read it with others as you seek to cultivate good right where you are. -- Heather Holleman, PhD, speaker; professor; author, The Six Conversations: Pathways for Connecting in an Age of Isolation and Incivility
This is a much-needed book! As Christians, we are living as exiles in Babylon, and there are many reasons why we should not feel at home in the world. Miller and Simon remind us that we are called to be good citizens, to love our neighbors and enemies, but we should never be shocked when our values are considered strange or even offensive to the world around us. Joyful Outsiders is soaked with biblical truth, and it's presented with much pastoral wisdom gained from lived experience. If you want help living in the tension of resisting worldly values while graciously reaching the world, then this book is a must-read. -- Preston Sprinkle, host, Theology in the Raw podcast
This is a needed book in our day. In a time when Christians are often unaware of our own gifts and callings or find it easy to chastise brothers and sisters with different gifts and callings, this book provides helpful handles--a broad overview of orientations and traits--that can help God's people together fulfill our mission. A resource full of wisdom and grace. -- Trevin Wax, vice president of research and resources, North American Mission Board; visiting professor, Cedarville University; author, The Thrill of Orthodoxy
About the Author
Patrick Miller pastors at The Crossing in Missouri, cohosts the podcasts Ten Minute Bible Talks and Truth Over Tribe,and has coauthored one book. His writing can be found at The Gospel Coalition, Mere Orthodoxy, Christianity Today, and Newsweek. He graduated from Covenant Theological Seminary (MDiv). He and his wife, Emily, live in Columbia, Missouri, with their two children.
Keith Simon is a lead pastor at The Crossing, cohosts the podcasts Ten Minute Bible Talks and Truth Over Tribe, and coauthored Truth Over Tribe: Pledging Allegiance to the Lamb, Not the Donkey or the Elephant. He graduated with an MDiv from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Keith lives in Columbia, Missouri, with his wife, Christine, and their four children.
Product details
- Publisher : Zondervan (January 21, 2025)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 272 pages
- ISBN-10 : 031036874X
- ISBN-13 : 978-0310368748
- Item Weight : 8 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.43 x 0.65 x 8.4 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #24,607 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #83 in Christian Social Issues (Books)
- #406 in Christian Personal Growth
- #922 in Christian Spiritual Growth (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Patrick Miller is a pastor and cultural commentator who writes about politics, culture, and technology, contributing articles to Christianity Today, Newsweek, The Gospel Coalition, and other publications. His podcast, Truth Over Tribe is one of Apple's top news commentary podcasts, featuring interviews with leading Christian thinkers, writers, and scholars. He's the co-author of Truth Over Tribe: Pledging Allegiance to the Lamb, Not the Donkey or the Elephant. Patrick received a Master of Divinity from Covenant Theological Seminary, and pastors a politically diverse church, The Crossing. He and his wife, Emily, have two children.
You can connect with him on Twitter: @patrickkmiller_
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A Must-Read for Christians Feeling Lost in Today's Culture
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2025I’ll be honest—lately, I’ve felt increasingly out of place in the world around me. The culture is shifting so rapidly, and as a Christian, I’ve often found myself wondering where I fit in. Should I speak up? Should I stay quiet? Should I try to blend in? Reading Joyful Outsiders was like finally finding words for what I've been feeling.
This book does an incredible job of naming the tension so many of us feel—the struggle to remain faithful to Jesus while navigating a world that often seems hostile to our values. What I appreciated most is that it didn’t just leave me with a sense of being an outsider; it gave me practical, biblical wisdom on how to embrace that reality with confidence and even joy. Keith and Patrick do a great job of showing that being an "outsider" isn’t something to fear or avoid but something to embrace because it’s the very path Jesus walked.
One of the most impactful takeaways for me was the realization that I don’t have to respond to the cultural shifts with defensiveness. Instead, Joyful Outsiders helped me see how I can engage the world around me with grace and purpose—whether that’s through cultivating relationships, standing up for what’s right, or simply living faithfully in my day-to-day life. When I realized I fit the Builder archetype, it really clicked for me—God has wired me to create and invest in the people and institutions around me, and that’s exactly where I can make a difference.
If you’re feeling isolated or unsure of how to live out your faith in today’s world, this book is for you. I’m still figuring all of this out, but this book gave me a new sense of direction. I’m really glad I picked this one up and will be recommending it to friends and coworkers.
5.0 out of 5 starsI’ll be honest—lately, I’ve felt increasingly out of place in the world around me. The culture is shifting so rapidly, and as a Christian, I’ve often found myself wondering where I fit in. Should I speak up? Should I stay quiet? Should I try to blend in? Reading Joyful Outsiders was like finally finding words for what I've been feeling.A Must-Read for Christians Feeling Lost in Today's Culture
Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2025
This book does an incredible job of naming the tension so many of us feel—the struggle to remain faithful to Jesus while navigating a world that often seems hostile to our values. What I appreciated most is that it didn’t just leave me with a sense of being an outsider; it gave me practical, biblical wisdom on how to embrace that reality with confidence and even joy. Keith and Patrick do a great job of showing that being an "outsider" isn’t something to fear or avoid but something to embrace because it’s the very path Jesus walked.
One of the most impactful takeaways for me was the realization that I don’t have to respond to the cultural shifts with defensiveness. Instead, Joyful Outsiders helped me see how I can engage the world around me with grace and purpose—whether that’s through cultivating relationships, standing up for what’s right, or simply living faithfully in my day-to-day life. When I realized I fit the Builder archetype, it really clicked for me—God has wired me to create and invest in the people and institutions around me, and that’s exactly where I can make a difference.
If you’re feeling isolated or unsure of how to live out your faith in today’s world, this book is for you. I’m still figuring all of this out, but this book gave me a new sense of direction. I’m really glad I picked this one up and will be recommending it to friends and coworkers.
Images in this review
- Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2025As a newer Christian, Joyful Outsiders gave me practical insight into how to live out my faith in today’s world. The authors explore six types of “joyful outsiders”, showing how we can embody these roles in everyday life—at work, at home, and in the wider culture.
The book’s practical examples and actionable advice were particularly helpful. Rather than just discussing abstract ideas, it gave me real-world tools for resisting culture’s negative influence and cultivating what’s good in the world. The additional reading suggestions helpful for continuing my growth as a believer.
I also appreciated how the authors emphasized that no matter the role—whether artist, protestor, or builder—each has value in God’s kingdom. As someone still early in my faith, I did find some of the examples a bit ahead of where I’m at (like building large institutions or leaving a major legacy). It would be great to see more guidance on applying these ideas in smaller, everyday situations.
Overall, Joyful Outsiders is a great read for anyone looking to understand how to live as a joyful outsider in today’s culture, especially for those new to the faith. It’s a book that encourages thoughtful reflection and practical action without offering quick fixes.
5.0 out of 5 starsAs a newer Christian, Joyful Outsiders gave me practical insight into how to live out my faith in today’s world. The authors explore six types of “joyful outsiders”, showing how we can embody these roles in everyday life—at work, at home, and in the wider culture.A Practical Resource for Christians in Today's Culture
Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2025
The book’s practical examples and actionable advice were particularly helpful. Rather than just discussing abstract ideas, it gave me real-world tools for resisting culture’s negative influence and cultivating what’s good in the world. The additional reading suggestions helpful for continuing my growth as a believer.
I also appreciated how the authors emphasized that no matter the role—whether artist, protestor, or builder—each has value in God’s kingdom. As someone still early in my faith, I did find some of the examples a bit ahead of where I’m at (like building large institutions or leaving a major legacy). It would be great to see more guidance on applying these ideas in smaller, everyday situations.
Overall, Joyful Outsiders is a great read for anyone looking to understand how to live as a joyful outsider in today’s culture, especially for those new to the faith. It’s a book that encourages thoughtful reflection and practical action without offering quick fixes.
Images in this review
- Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2025I love that this book offers a practical approach to following Jesus in our culture. By answering a few questions you can identify traits you possess that could help progress God’s kingdom. I recommend this book to anyone looking for an enjoyable read and also hoping to grow in their walk with Jesus.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2025What a great book to help unpack my gifts and how they can fit into the store and Gods plan for my life. Help establish guardrails through the “shadow side” and made clear why I feel passionate in some areas of my walk and uncomfortable in others. Took me a minute to get into it but oh boy did it have a big finish. Reading it with an open bible next to it even made it better. Thanks so much for allowing God to use you. Can’t go wrong with this book.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2025I love the clear Biblical worldview in this book. It helps you see how you can affect your culture in the way that is most geared to the way God created you and the giftings the Holy Spirit has given you. What is tremendously helpful in the authors' approach is the use of the stories of various historical followers of God who have influenced their cultures.
5.0 out of 5 starsI love the clear Biblical worldview in this book. It helps you see how you can affect your culture in the way that is most geared to the way God created you and the giftings the Holy Spirit has given you. What is tremendously helpful in the authors' approach is the use of the stories of various historical followers of God who have influenced their cultures.This book helps you to discern where God is pointing you in your mission.
Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2025
Images in this review
- Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2025Just finished "Joyful Outsiders"! In the midst of the culture wars all around us, I (like many) have long felt like an outsider. Miller and Simon thoughtfully present the case that feeling like an outsider is nothing new in this cultural moment. Jesus himself was an outsider. And the best part is that we can experience joy in the midst of chaos by not only understanding ourselves better but perhaps more importantly how we can understand others better. I can't wait to study their insights more deeply with our small group over the next several weeks!
- Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2025This is a book for Christians who want to engage culture. The first part of the book was very convicting and I almost put the book down. Who wants to find out they may be thinking about things in ways that hurt your engagement with culture? But keep reading. The book helped me see that there is no one way to engage culture and to appreciate the gifts and talents I bring and the gifts and talents that other people bring. It also helped me realize that with each approach, there are negative tendencies to watch out for.
This is a book for Christians who want to engage culture. The first part of the book was very convicting and I almost put the book down. Who wants to find out they may be thinking about things in ways that hurt your engagement with culture? But keep reading. The book helped me see that there is no one way to engage culture and to appreciate the gifts and talents I bring and the gifts and talents that other people bring. It also helped me realize that with each approach, there are negative tendencies to watch out for.
Images in this review
- Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2025I've listened to Keith and Patrick on the Truth over Tribe podcast for several years now and have really appreciated the way they have challenged me to rethink how I engage with our culture as a Christ follower. In their new book Joyful Outsiders, Keith and Patrick provide a road map to discover how you can live faithfully in the tension between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of this world, in a way that is authentic.
Each of us is uniquely created and equipped to partner with Christ to bring Shalom to chaos. This book will encourage you to find your path and walk it with your savior.
4.0 out of 5 starsI've listened to Keith and Patrick on the Truth over Tribe podcast for several years now and have really appreciated the way they have challenged me to rethink how I engage with our culture as a Christ follower. In their new book Joyful Outsiders, Keith and Patrick provide a road map to discover how you can live faithfully in the tension between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of this world, in a way that is authentic.Navigating today's culture isn't easy...this book will help you know how
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2025
Each of us is uniquely created and equipped to partner with Christ to bring Shalom to chaos. This book will encourage you to find your path and walk it with your savior.
Images in this review