I Didn’t Ask for Any of This

I Didn’t Ask for Any of This by Allan Finnegan

My journey through Church, Comedy & Cancer

I didn’t ask for any of this…

When Allan was little, he hoped to be a footballer. But, like many things in ‘Brutal Bootle’, that dream was quickly demolished. Thoughts of God never got beyond Mr Godson’s classroom, until his future mother-in-law insisted church attendance was a condition of dating the lovely Joyce. Faced with that ultimatum, he went along.

I didn’t ask for any of this…

Especially not becoming the church minister! But when a throw-away comment landed Allan on the stage of a comedy club, everything changed. He found his calling. Somewhere he could make a difference. Something he was good at. So good that he ended up on Britain’s Got Talent.

I didn’t ask for any of this…

Especially not the terminal cancer diagnosis.

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Endorsements:

‘A builder, a comedian and a Baptist minister go into a bar…and they’re all the same person. This story will encourage anyone who is suspicious of organised religion, especially if they have a sneaky feeling that the truth might be better served by disorganised religion.’
Milton Jones, Comedian

‘Profound, humorous and deeply moving, this book is a must read for anyone exploring what it means to have a faith or asking if there is more to life. Allen’s personal story is challenging, encouraging and inspiring, often all on the same page!’
Gavin Calver, CEO, Evangelical Alliance

‘Allan has an infectious faith, a faith built on generosity, inclusion and radical and practical acts of service. He doesn’t back away from talking about how faith doesn’t always make life easier. This book is sure to provide inspiration and challenge in equal measure.’ The Reverend Kate Bottley, Vicar, journalist, radio presenter and TV personality

‘Laugh out loud memoir from Rev Allan Finnegan. Take your front row seat as the curtain raises on his comedy gigs. His journal entries frame his life’s tour from Bootle building sites to Baptist Minister to a bewildered semi-finalist on Britain’s Got Talent. A rare gem from a people’s pastor. Honest, heart-warming and hopeful to the last laugh. Even as he faces his final curtain.’ Rt Revd Dr Jill Duff, Anglican Bishop of Lancaster

‘A heart warming, faith affirming, warts and all record of the highs and lows of going from atheist labourer on a building site, to Baptist Minister and stand-up comedian.  Honest to a fault, Allan warmly invites us to experience all the joys, challenges, insecurities, and setbacks of a life lived in obedience to the call to ordained ministry, in a way that is refreshingly human.’ Rev John Rogers, Lead Chaplain of Lancaster University

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Find out more about Allan’s heart for this book here.

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