In this wise and instructive book, Bill Shiell has paired experiences from his own story with examples from the pages of scripture to give high school and college students practical tools to navigate “lifequakes” that inevitably will come their way not once but often as the years increase. A valuable resource for students and all who come alongside them in mentoring, teaching, or parental capacities.

—Jeff Crosby
author of The Language of the Soul and World of Wonders: A Spirituality of Reading

Fortunate are those who are told the truth about life and the challenges it presents. Even more fortunate are those who have a trusted guide who will love them, walk with them, and direct them to find God’s presence in the most challenging circumstances. Bill Shiell is that trusted guide. This book is not only a manual for those who will experience difficulty but also for those who desire to emerge more faithful and resilient on the other side.

—Kyle Reese
Senior Minister, First Baptist Church
Savannah, Georgia

In Losership, Dr. Bill Shiell challenges our cultural obsession with achievement, reframing success through the lens of Jesus’ upside-down kingdom. He shows how failure, loss, and setbacks can be redemptive moments that lead to God’s joy and transformation. This is a must-read for anyone navigating change, uncertainty, or seeking deeper purpose.

—Rev. Nick Hughes
Senior Pastor, Mountain Chapel Methodist Church,
Birmingham, Alabama

From his own personal experience and keen biblical insights, Bill Shiell distills some of the hard-won wisdom—and even joy—that can be gained from the failures, losses, and disappointments we inevitably encounter in life. I can imagine this is an invaluable book to read not only before we experience significant loss, but most especially to re-read during it.

—David Graybeal
Author of Faith in The West Wing:The Portrayal of Religion in a Primetime Presidency
and Bethlehem: An Advent Journey

Someone once wrote, “God never wastes a hurt.” For those who have hurt and then have grown in grace, those words are life-giving. Bill Shiell not only understands those words, but he also invests his hurt in people every day. Bill’s wisdom that we can “learn from just about every failure” is a balm to the soul of one, like me, who has experienced loss. The book is life-altering for those of us who can acknowledge loss and invest our “hurt” in the lives of others. The spiritual exercise he outlines are worth the price of the book and more.

—Marvin Cameron
Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church
Kingsport, Tennessee

Bill’s book Losership presents a new viewpoint on life for teenagers and adults. Experiencing “failure” can be especially challenging in a society that values achievements. This book redefines the concept, encouraging readers to embrace “loser-ship” as a mark of faithfulness. I only wish I had this book during my time as a youth minister!

—David John Hailey
Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church,
Oak Park, Illinois