J. Brent Bill is a spirituality author and a Quaker minister. He has written numerous books and articles on the Quaker community, their beliefs, and the various ways members continue to experience God in their everyday lives. Bill resides on Ploughshares Farm, a wildlife retreat and native prairie located in rural Indiana. He is deeply connected to the rural landscape and enjoys exploring every inch of his property. In addition to writing and working as a minister, Bill is also a photographer who finds joy in capturing the beauty of nature.
Bill is a prolific writer, with several books and magazine articles to his name. He has written on a wide range of topics related to spirituality and the Quaker community, sharing his insights and experiences with a broad audience. His books include "Holy Silence: The Gift of Quaker Spirituality," "Life Lessons from a Bad Quaker," "Awaken Your Senses: Exercises for Exploring the Wonder of God," "Sacred Compass: The Way of Spiritual Discernment," "Mind the Light: Learning to See with Spiritual Eyes," and "Hope and Witness in Dangerous Times," among others. Bill's writing is known for its warmth, wisdom, and gentle humor, making complex spiritual concepts accessible to a wide audience.
In "Holy Silence," Bill explores the Quaker practice of silence and expectant listening, presenting it to a wider Christian audience. The revised and expanded edition of the book includes new spiritual silence practices and a new section on incorporating holy silence into worship. Bill is widely respected as an interpreter of the Quaker tradition, and "Holy Silence" is a contemporary classic on sacred silence.
Bill's most recent book, "Amity: Stories from the Heartland," was released in November 2023. In "Life Lessons from a Bad Quaker," Bill shares his own struggles with putting faith into practice in everyday life, inviting readers on a joyful exploration of the faith journey. With whimsy, humor, and wisdom, Bill shows readers how to put faith into practice to achieve a life that is soulfully still yet active, simple yet satisfying, peaceful yet strong. It's for anyone who is bad at being good, this is an invitation to a pilgrimage toward a more meaningful and satisfying life . . . one step—or stumble—at a time.