This short book is part of the Quaker Quick series. As the title suggests, it charts the author’s faith journey which she describes as finding ‘the faith of Jesus rather than the faith about Jesus’. She charts her discomfort with her experience in mainstream churches and speaks of meeting the Quakers as ‘coming home’. She helpfully describes Quaker values or ‘testimonies’, and goes on to explain Quaker practices and the understanding of what ministry is in their context. The reader is invited to consider an alternative Trinity, that of God, self and others which is explained more fully in subsequent chapters. It finishes with the Quaker call to ‘let our lives speak’ and gives examples of their work in many different environments. Whilst this book was an ‘easy’ read, it had great depths and profound truths within it. The critique of some aspects of theology was interesting but what most impressed me was the unpacking of Quaker ways of being and connecting as a community and in the world. I would recommend this book for anyone who wanted a basic but challenging understanding of Quakerism. Church leaders may find the descriptions of prayer and practice described, a healthy model of how to listen to God and others and to lead well. This small book had a big impact on me. It challenged me to reconsider prayer, the language of worship, and the way of being a faith community. The writer acknowledges that it can be a hard path but states, ‘I believe that bringing the kingdom of God to earth is about bringing the love of God to the earth. One person, one action at a time.’ Amen. ~ Meryl White, Progressive Voices 48

A major component of this little book provides rudimentary accounts of the various practises used by Frtends in the liberal unprogrammed tradition. It is true to its title. But it is also Eurocentric, ignoring the rest of global diversity. The author is deeply engaged with considerations of the life of Jesus before his period of ministry, and this yields some tangled claims about Christian creeds and Jewish observance in Palestine in Jesus youth. The other major component is theological speculation and argument. Some very interesting points emerge but they are mixed with fallacious argument of which the “straw man” fallacy is most common and most pernicious. I picture this book being used in a Meeting as a basis for discussion among experienced Friends and new or potential Friends. The author makes a strong call for community development and her book would serve her hope well. ~ Bert Harwood - Canadian Quaker

Kate McNally's book A Simple Faith in a Complicated World is a pleasure to read and also provides a useful clarification of Quakerism versus overly formalized and hierarchical Christianity. It conveys the author's experience in a simple and sincere way. I would love to translate it into Russian. In a turbulent and insecure world, this book can become a good friend and adviser. A thoughtful, unhurried conversation, where I not only read, but also answer internally, in my own heart. ~ Natasha Zhuravenkova, Russian Friend, translator, religious scholar

“Kate Mcnally's A Simple Faith in a Complicated World is a very useful book for those wondering about Quakerism. First, it provides both a brief but clear description of where Quakerism has come from and what it is now. Secondly, it provides a sharing of her thoughts on matters that are important to Quakers. Especially, it discusses the ways in which Quakers take their worship out into the world, how they ‘let their lives speak’." ~ David Cadman - Harmony Professor of Practice at the University of Wales Trinity St David

Harvey Gillman The Friend Jan 12, 2023 I underlined several profound sentences on which I felt I needed to meditate: ‘For me, Quakerism isn’t so much about religion as about relationship with God.’ Kate goes on to talk about a trinity of relationships: with ourselves, with other people, and with God. For Kate, God is ‘a greater good-ness, something more powerful than me, something that was about justice and goodness and fairness’. God is a ‘life force’. I had heard of the idea that God might be a verb, but Kate offers the word ‘Quaker’ itself as a verb. Worship thus is opening to relationship by waiting and listening. I loved how aspects of Quaker life are described in one chapter as practices to deepen spirituality, and then in another as ways to overcome conflict. Her comments on prayer were useful and practical, and made me realise that Friends in Britain today do not write much about prayer. When I think about it, we are not very good at exploring with newcomers ways that might help them settle into worship. Two further sentences give a sense of the wisdom Kate imparts: ‘We can remember that the love that comes from us is finite. The love that comes through us is infinite.’ Then ‘God lives in sacred actions’. A book to read and to share. ~ Harvey Gillman, The Friend 12 January 2023

Really enjoyed this book. Delighted that so much Quaker wisdom could be packed into such a short book. I keep it with me, in order to dip into its simple yet very profound and original thoughts. A real gem. ~ Miriam Ryan, Quaker in Ireland , Barnes and Noble

This is an excellent introduction to the way of Quakers. Inclusive and thought-provoking, backed by practical life experience. It really spoke to me ~ Jane Huber-Davies, Switzerland, Barnes and Noble

I keep this book by my bed. It would be an easy read-in-a-day book to gorge on, but I chose to read it a little bit at a time. That allowed me to gradually absorb the beautiful profundity of its words. ~ Helen Minnis, Scotland, Barnes and Noble

I'm so glad that Kate McNally put her hard-won wisdom down on paper. I'm not a Quaker. My spiritual path lies elsewhere, but reading about the turns in her journey helped me reflect on mine and where I have more to learn (and will always have more to learn ...). My doubts were once legion, and the road to a faith that works is one well taken, no matter how bruised and battered I might be due to my resistnce along the way. Thank you, Kate, for sharing your lessons as you continue on your path ~ Laura Steensma, Spain, Barnes and Noble

I read this book in one sitting - not because it is an 'easy' read but because it was so compelling. Simple and deep ways to live your faith in the world ~ Tracey Martin, Belgium, Barnes and Noble

Easy to read and interesting read by Kate McNally. Her style is informative and like others I appreciate the way Kate writes from personal experience. Recommended! ~ Michael Eccles, Britain, Barnes and Noble

I've heard people say Quakers speak from their experience, and this book helped me understand what that means. The books has helped me to understand what it means to be a seeker, and what it really means to connect to God, how I can better understand myself and how to cherish my relationships with other people. I have followed the authors writing in print and in her blog, but I am so happy that she has finally published a book on spirituality. I hope it is the first of many. ~ Andrew Lane, Britain, Amazon.co.uk

A clear and practical introduction to the Quaker Way which draws on Kate's personal experiences to show how these practices can help us navigate the complexities of life. ~ Rhiannon Grant, Britain, Amazon.co.uk

This is a great book to help you find out more about Quakerism and whether it might be for you. Like Quakerism itself, it is simple and straightforward and speaks from experience about the deep things that matter. ~ Paul Hodgkin, Britain, Amazon.co.uk

I read this in a day! I'm an ex-bookseller and ex-literature student, and can be quite picky with books, but adored this. As someone new to Quakerism, I have read a number of books on my journey to understanding the key values of what it means to be a Quaker. This engaging book was awe-inspiring and would be a great read for non-Quakers alike, for its inspirational notes on how to live and how to be. It has just the right balance of personal insight and lived experience, Quaker history and contemporary Quaker practise. I loved it. ~ anonymous, Amazon.com

Kate has done an excellent job of imparting her softness to a writing many will cherish. Whether you are familiar with the Quaker faith or totally new, her explanations make sense and offer food for thought and more importantly, food for action. ~ Pam Peters, US, Amazon.com

Kate McNally takes us on a clear and cogent deep dive into her Quaker experience, with thoughtful descriptions of Quaker ways of working and being in the world. In contrast to her early church experience, Kate dares to describe a close and personal relationship with God that gives us permission to embrace who we are and the courage to let our lives speak. An engaging read, which I will likely offer to other seekers. ~ Gretchen Castle, Dean of Earlham School of Religion and former General Secretary of the Friends World Committee for Consultation

If you want to be told what you should believe don't read this book! Kate McNally, after discarding the strict dogmatic religion her childhood, takes us on her journey of discovery as she explores "the faith OF Jesus rather than the faith ABOUT Jesus". Like many of us, from her first experience of a Quaker Meeting, she knew she had come home. For non-Quakers she explains Quakerism simply and clearly. "In the end, Quakerism for me is not so much a religion but a relationship with God, with myself and with others". The heart of her faith and her life is that we just love one another "It's that simple and that difficult". She explores what the word "God" means to her, but says if that does't speak to you, don't worry. She sees perfection as an illusion and asks "what if we could hold the belief that we are good enough just as we are"? In accepting our own incompleteness and weaknesses we can take "the short step to accepting and valuing the imperfections of others". This book has much food for thought and is a joy to read. ~ Diana Lampen, Peace educator in Ulster, Belarus and Ukraine

In this exploration of Quaker Faith, Kate McNally weaves together personal experience and reflection. She shows how times of doubt and the development of new insights have both supported her faith, and explains in plain and accessible terms some of the things which have helped her -- from the Quaker tradition and beyond. This book is of interest to anyone on a spiritual path, and will be useful to many seekers. ~ Rhiannon Grant, author of Quakers do What! Why?, Telling the Truth about God and Hearing the Light