Updated: October 2025
Dear Friends,
I’m writing this note to answer some common inquiries I receive. My hope is that it will bring clarity and understanding.
Note that for years I’ve done my dead-level best to be as accessible as possible to my readers. For many years, my blog allowed for comments and I interacted with readers regularly there. And unlike most of the speakers I know, I don’t disappear at a conference or live event, but take time to interact with those who attend. My team is also responsive to requests.
That said, there are some situations in which I’m unable to engage. These boundaries are set in stone. They protect my time with family and close friends as well as the mission God has called me to — which requires time.
Also, it’s unfair to accept one request regarding a standard I’ve raised when I’ve declined others. So there are no exceptions to these standards.
Like most people I know, pressure and pushiness is something I’m allergic to, and it creates the opposite effect a person wants. So it’s in your best interest to honor my personal commitments and boundaries. Anything else is displeasing to the Lord, and it doesn’t serve you well.
Finally, when you read each request on this page and my answer, you’ll discover that I’m not saying “no” to any of the requests that come to me.
I’m instead saying, “Sorry, not on your terms. But there is good news — here are the terms where I can meet your request.” Those who are mature and considerate have respected these standards and ended up receiving what they desired.
Here they are:
(1) Can I talk to you on the phone or on Zoom?
Sometimes readers will write and ask to set up a phone conversation.
(Once in a blue moon, a reader won’t state why they feel it’s necessary to talk by phone or Zoom and they won’t divulge what they want to discuss, which is frankly off-putting and raises immediate suspicions.)
Please know that I rarely use phone with anyone. I restrict it to family, close friends, my publishers, and the media interviews I’m able to accept.
I don’t use Zoom with any of my family or friends. I only use it for media interviews when I’m able to accept them (with the camera off).
I’m an extrovert by nature, and I’d love to talk to everyone who wants to chat, but if I did that, that’s all I’d be doing with my time.
But in order to fulfill the tasks the Lord has given me, I must honor my previous commitments.
That means, I have to decline invitations to chat. Time is a limited commodity, and whenever we say “YES” to one opportunity we are saying “NO” to others. So this standard reflects my faithfulness to God’s calling in my life.
The Good News – Two Ways I Communicate with Readers
Unlike many bestselling authors who can’t even be reached by their own peers, I am accessible the following two ways:
Way 1: Through my FAQ page, which I update if a question doesn’t already appear there.
If you have a question on the content of any of my books, articles, or podcasts or about a spiritual or theological topic you want me to address, the first step is to go to my FAQ page.
There is a search feature on it. The page has thousands of questions I’ve answered over the years so there’s an excellent chance that your question appears there.
If your question does NOT appear on that page, write an email to Frank@FrankViola.com and state your specific question.
If the question HAS been answered on the FAQ page or in one of my books or articles, a member of my team will point that out to you.
If it’s NOT already answered on the FAQ page or elsewhere, I’ll do my best to answer it.
It will then appear on the FAQ page and you’ll be notified when it appears.
If there’s something you want to tell me in the way of a comment or remark, just put that in the email.
If it requires a response, I’ll do so when I’m able. (I get tons of emails, and I’m unable to respond to those that don’t require a reply.)
The second way I communicate with readers is …
Way 2: Through a Live Event Where I’m Invited to Speak.
Readers interested in meeting me in person usually ask their pastor, an event organizer, or a conference host to invite me in as a speaker. Most of my 20+ books are for Christians in all church forms and pastors regularly use them.
The Speaking Page has all the details for leaders to issue invitations. If I’m able to accept and you attend, we will meet in person. That’s how I’ve met hundreds of readers over the years.
Of course, I’m unable to accept every invitation I receive to speak at a church, conference, or Bible school, but if I’m able to accept, I will.
(2) Can I buy you coffee (or take you to lunch)?
Sometimes a reader will write me, saying, “Frank, if you’re ever in my city [city name], let me know so I can buy you a cup of coffee.”
Or, “I’m going to be in Florida next month, and I’d like to know if I can take you to lunch?”
Or even, “We have mutual friends. Can we have coffee or lunch sometime? I’m willing to travel to where you are.”
I’m always humbled and honored that people want to hang out with me — something I love to do.
As already stated, if a person wants to meet me in person, they usually arrange to have me invited to speak at a church they are affiliated with, a conference, or Bible school.
For either option, go to my Speaking Page. It contains the details for both that you can send to your pastor or a conference host.
I’m fully accessible to talk to people during a live event. I’ve never appreciated some of my peers who speak and then vanish into the ether. So I always hang around the meeting room to talk to people.
The idea of the noisy wheel getting the oil doesn’t work with me. It has the exact opposite effect. And neither does guilt or name-dropping. (Just because a person may know someone who I know doesn’t give them an “inside track” to my time more than any other person.)
Finally, I am not a counselor and don’t pretend to be. So I’m unable to offer advice to people I don’t know and have never met (see my answer to question #6).
My advice is found in my books, blog posts, and podcast episodes.
Apply it to your own situation as the Spirit leads.
So far, this process has been honored by everyone who has sought to contact me for advice.
In fact, most people are surprised because the well-known authors they read are completely inaccessible. Even by email and at their live events.
(3) You’ve been a big influence on me, and I’m writing a book. I wanted to send you my chapter outline and maybe some chapters to get your feedback — or the entire book. (The same request can be in the form of a blog, article, video, podcast, etc.)
I’m glad when readers tell me they are writing a book. However, I’m unable to read or review or even glance at the work of other writers upon request. The issue is time and fairness.
Time: If I accepted these requests, all I’d be doing with my time is reading the work of others. And I wouldn’t have time to produce the books, articles, videos, podcasts, etc. I’m called to create.
Fairness: If I say “yes” to one person, it’s unfair to all the people I’ve declined.
The good news is that there’s a solution for this that’s even better than me looking at someone’s work.
We have now turned my live premium author’s training into an ONLINE training.
So you don’t have to leave the house to take it.
Not only will this robust training teach you EVERYTHING you need to know about writing, publishing, and effective promotion, but when you get the training, you are invited to join a closed Facebook writers group with over 150 other authors who you can interact with about your work.
That in itself is worth its weight in gold.
The online training (called SCRIBE).
If you are reading this while it’s closed, join the wait list immediately and you will receive an email when it’s open again. (You won’t be alerted unless you join the wait list, so if you’re serious about writing a book, editing, publishing options, promotion, etc., you can’t afford to ignore this opportunity.)
Go here to learn about SCRIBE and add your email to the wait list. You’ll be notified when it’s available again.
(4) What do you think of this book, that article, or this video by this other author/speaker?
Sometimes readers will send me an article — or a book or video — that they want me to read or view and offer my opinions.
While I’m an author, I’m not a journalist, a publisher, or a literary critic.
Therefore, I’m afraid I’m unable to do this kind of work.
I have a hard enough time getting through the material I’m obligated to read for my own publications, so I’m afraid I have no margin for anything else.
(5) What do you think about so-and-so’s ministry and teachings?
Occasionally readers will ask me what I think about someone else’s ministry. Long ago I raised a standard in my life never to comment on other people’s ministries.
The exception is if it’s someone who I work with presently and/or have already endorsed on my blog.
Keep in mind that I’ve weighed in on various subjects on this blog, my podcast, my books and my FAQ page.
Those will give you my thoughts on various topics. So they may help you reach your own conclusions regarding what other people are teaching.
(6) Can you give me advice on my situation?
Every so often, someone will write asking me to give them advice on a thorny church situation or a hairy personal matter.
Many years ago I discovered that it’s profoundly unwise to weigh-in on situations that involve people I’ve never met and don’t have a relationship with.
There were a few times (long, long ago, in a galaxy far, far away …) when the advice I gave was “spun” to the advantage of the individual asking it, which was a misuse and an abuse.
(“I asked Frank Viola and he said xyz … so there!)
Sigh.
So from that point on, I realized that giving advice from thousands of miles away on complicated situations where I’ve never met the players involved is not a good idea.
Plus, I’m not a counselor or a life coach.
That said, the best way to get my advice on an issue is to read and listen to my work.
I cover the waterfront on the topics God has called me to speak about in my books, blog posts, and podcast episodes.
There are many subjects that fall outside that calling and my “lane.” But there are countless Christian leaders who have expertise in those other things. Just look for them.
(7) I’m speaking at an event (or holding one). Can you tell your readers about it. It’s in line with what you teach and preach.
Read this page for the answer.
(8) I just came out with a new podcast, book, video, article, blog, etc. Can you tell your readers about it?
Because I’ve received so many requests to promote other people’s work on my platforms, I raised a standard long ago to not promote any one else’s work when they ask me to.
The reason is simple: If I said “yes” to these requests, my platforms would simply be a tool to promote other people’s work, and I wouldn’t have the space to give people who opted-in to hear from me through my work what they signed up to receive. This would be a disservice to them and also unfaithfulness to my mission.
And again, saying “yes” to some people while saying “no” to others is inconsistent and unfair. Instead, I’ve created the Buzz Seminar Master Class and SCRIBE to teach people how to promote their own work themselves. You can find both on the Courses page.
(9) Can you answer my questions about “organic church”? Or connect me with people who are part of one? Or can I visit a church you endorse? Or can you tell me if there’s a real organic church in the city/twon where I live?
I’ve answered all of these questions and more ON THIS PAGE.
Now holster your weapons, Citizens.
It’s sad for me to even have to say this, but some Christians are so easily offended that they will take offense if someone doesn’t read their book, take time out of their schedules to meet with them in person, accept their invitation, talk to them on the phone, etc.
If that’s you, please read this article about outcome dependence vs. outcome independence. Because you need to hear it.
By the way, if anyone flames me for this note, I may change my mind and join Tom Cruise and Johnny Depp. (Try asking them a question and getting any response! ) 😉
Thanks so much for your interest, and especially, for your understanding.
Warmly in Christ,
fv
Psalm 115:1