Dave Is a Four-Letter Word

When I was preparing my first book for publication, I kept reading and hearing from the "experts" that every author ought to have a blog. I was a bit queasy about diving into such an undertaking. But after much prayer and consternation, I opted to follow the advice of the specialists and began my weblog. My goal was to produce three blogs per week and found it to be rather enjoyable. I discovered I had a lot more to say than I had guessed. Later, I began running across more writing professionals who were adamant that a newsletter was the ticket. I was hesitant, but I formulated a weekly e-letter that I named, "Pulpit Man @ Large." I've been e-mailing it out every Friday since then, and much to my surprise, people began to read it. Since most of the world has never read these little missives, I decided to go all out and put them in print. This book contains many of the weekly thoughts, challenges, and questions that have arisen in my pea-sized brain.

When I was preparing my first book for publication, I kept reading and hearing from the "experts" that every author ought to have a blog. I was a bit queasy about diving into such an undertaking. My unease was caused by my constant desire to be somewhat consistent (if not first-rate). I didn't want to be one of those guys and gals who only blogged every few weeks when the spirit moved them. After much prayer and consternation, I opted to follow the advice of the specialists and began my weblog. I decided to be disciplined about it if nothing else. My goal was to produce three blogs per week that would each be 500 words or less—quickly readable, but with enough substance to be interesting. After diving into that project, I found it to be rather enjoyable and discovered I had a lot more to say than I had guessed. A few weeks later, I began running across more of these writing professionals who were adamant that a newsletter was the ticket. I was already blogging thrice per week and was a bit concerned that a newsletter would be over the top—both time wise and creativity wise. The incessant drumbeat in favor of the newsletter was thundering loudly in the ears of my soul, however, and almost five months after instituting my blog, I formulated a weekly e-letter that I named, "Pulpit Man @ Large." I've been e-mailing it out every Friday since that fateful day. Much to my surprise, people began to read it, and some even respond. I was a bit flabbergasted, amazed, and pleased all at the same time. It has even become a labor of love for me. Well, that was several years ago. Since most of the world has, undoubtedly, never read these little missives, I decided to go all out and put them down on paper. This book is a collection of many of the weekly thoughts, challenges, and questions that have arisen in my pea-sized brain. I hope you enjoy reading them nearly as much as I did writing them. While they are of no great, political import, they might just touch your soul from time to time. It is my experience that our souls need a lot of touching. Dave Zuchelli

Dave Zuchelli is a man of extremes. He laughs until he cries (or worse). He rides a Harley Davidson (a 2003 Softail Deuce). He loves with a passion, and he preaches like there's no tomorrow. So it's no surprise that his books address some of the most intimate moments of a person's life. He is the author of The Last Wedding, Watch This!, No Niños en la Canasta, Local Church Prisoners, and Dave is a Four-Letter Word. Dave holds a Bachelor of Science from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Divinity from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He currently resides in Aldie, VA and is a full-time house-husband in his spare time (if that makes sense). He's married to a wonderful young woman named Denise, and between them, they have four children and several grandchildren. We know she's wonderful because he says she has to be in order to put up with him. We didn't ask her if she agrees. Dave has always loved baseball. When he's not writing, he can often be found watching, listening to, or reading about his beloved Pittsburgh Pirates (he lives vicariously through them because he's too old to play anymore himself). He does, however, take enough time away from the national pastime to publish a blog three times a week. The blog, entitled Local Church Prisoners, can be found at davezuchelli.com. In it, he explores the Biblical options for carrying today's church back into relevancy. It's a task he doesn't take lightly, and one his readers respond to with zeal. For twenty-three years, he was a tent maker in the tradition of the Apostle Paul (although he says the comparison undoubtedly stops there). He is now retired from the pastorate and spends time preaching, teaching and writing (and watching baseball of course). Dave's speaking and preaching style is humorous and infectious and has caused many to call upon him for retreats, special meetings, and seminars (not to mention Sunday morning worship services). On his Linked-In page, Susan Canis (a former parishioner) recorded this observation. "Dave is the best preacher I have ever heard -- he offers very relevant content and is always engaging." Not bad for a country boy from the Western Pennsylvania coal mining region. Dave has started a ministry and business called Liquid Statue Productions. The aim of this endeavor is to develop discipleship tools for today's Christian Church. It features books, seminars, and retreats. You can explore that a little further at LiquidStatue.com. If you'd like to know a little more about him personally, please check out his website, Pulpitman.com. Dave is available to speak at your event and may be reached through the contact page of any of his sites. If you promise him ice cream, he'll undoubtedly give you a discount on just about anything.