The Intimacy Deficit

'In an age of chronic disconnection, Ed carefully pastors the reader through a journey that is refreshingly honest, grounded and hopeful. His insights help us discern the intimacy gaps in our own lives and equip us with practical steps towards truly living life in all its fullness.' -- Ruth Bushyager, Bishop of Horsham
'Ed puts his finger on what our parched and fragmented hearts are desperately yearning for. It's an achingly beautiful picture of flourishing humanity. And how practically, even today, I can enjoy a deeper sense of being at home with God in his world, in my own skin and with others.' -- Mark Ellis, CEO, Keswick Ministries
'The kindness and rawness of Ed’s writing permeates every page. We each long to be known and loved - Ed invites us to have that desire satisfied in and through Jesus. Practical, real, honest and hope-filled; this book is essential reading for anyone who has wanted better or deeper relationships.' -- Jo Frost, author and Director of Communications and Engagement, Evangelical Alliance
'I often come across books that someone claims are essential, life-changing or a much-needed correction in our contemporary culture. I have a pile of them mostly unread. But this book is all those and more. It has already changed me, and I commend it to you as a thing of great wisdom, humility, learning and grace. Its greatest strength for me has been to draw together four different strands of intimacy (with God, ourselves, others and creation) rather than insist on one as all-important, treating each simply, briefly, movingly and practically. There are so many things here that need saying, but which I hadn't managed to think yet, and Ed expresses them beautifully. I feel deeply encouraged and gently challenged to discover more of the intimacies God has made me for, that I might exult in a fuller, richer life.' -- Andrew Nicholls, Director of Pastoral Care, Oak Hill College, London
'In this pastorally warm and spiritually enriching book, Ed Shaw reminds us that our great longing as human beings is for intimacy. This is not about sex, but our need to be connected with God, ourselves, others and the creation. Rooted in compelling biblical teaching, and written with the wisdom acquired from decades of ministry, he helps us understand what it means to enjoy intimacy, the barriers that undermine intimacy and steps that we can take to foster greater intimacy. It is concise and accessible, poetic and moving, and will encourage readers to seek greater fullness in all their relationships as they experience the blessings of their new life in Christ.' -- John Stevens, National Director, FIEC
'Ed Shaw successfully and powerfully reclaims the concept of intimacy and restores it within a thoroughly biblical and wonderfully pastoral framework. It is widely researched and winsomely applied, but what sets it apart is his vulnerability, authenticity and humour. The Intimacy Deficit is a deeply disarming and enormously edifying read.' -- Jago Wynne, Rector of Holy Trinity Clapham, London