St Augustine, Shakespeare and Jesus himself are among the many who have extolled the virtues of moderation. Daring to live with integrity in the middle can be where our story really begins.

The middle is where most of us find ourselves a lot of the time. However, if we feel somewhat apologetic about that, Middling is likely to galvanise our thinking. It reveals the gift of being able to see both sides of a conflict, of holding a nuanced view, of embodying compassion over certainty. It explores waiting as a place of creativity where, suspended between what we've left behind and what we've yet to discover, life can unfold in ways both unexpected and profound.

As a bishop, Emma is constantly challenged by questions that haunt those who lead: when to speak? When to say silent? Christ as the ultimate 'middle' figure, holding all things together, reminds her that standing in the middle is indeed her priestly vocation - and that wonderful image is at the heart of this book.

Choosing to dwell intentionally in the middle, we discover that it's not only a truly fruitful, but also a joyful place to be.