Zondervan Blog

Be a Fan, Spread the Word, Get Cool Stuff

Want to have some fun talking about something you like AND get cool stuff at the same time? Now's your chance. Become an Angel Fall fan and you can help spread the word and get rewarded for your efforts.

Don’t know about Angel Fall? It’s a new fantasy novel by Hollywood writer and executive producer Coleman Luck (www.colemanluck.com). To read the first five chapters on Scribd.com, click here.

Leading Sports Psychologist and His New Book Featured in USA TODAY

Look for Golf’s Sacred Journey: Seven Days at the Links of Utopia, a modern parable by Dr. David L. Cook, on usatoday.com.

The book is featured in the Religion section in an article by Mike Snider, David L. Cook is featured in a Q & A article, also by Mike Snider, and both are featured in a blog post by religion editor Cathy Lynn Grossman.

Author, speaker, entrepreneur, and performance psychologist are the roles Dr. David L. Cook has assumed over the past two decades. His clients have included NBA World Champions, National Collegiate Champions, PGA Tour Champions, Olympians, and many Fortune 500 companies.

Golf’s Sacred Journey is about influence. The story is based on thousands of athletes the author has counseled, and the great mentors and teachers from whom he has learned, told through the lives of two characters—a rancher with a passion for teaching truth and a young golf professional at the end of his rope.

Does Your Church Have Multiple Sites? Tell Us Your Story. You Could Get a Free Book.

In the opening session of the Leadership Summit at Willow Creek on Thursday of last week, Bill Hybels spoke about Leading in the New Reality. He was talking about how the rogue waves of the economic downturn have changed the game for leading the church. In a similar vein, multi-site ministry has become a new reality, or as the authors of the upcoming book, A Multi-site Church Roadtrip, say multi-site churches are becoming the new normal.

In an effort to adapt to the changing reality of economics, space, and atmosphere, multi-site ministry is becoming more and more prevalent. The authors share inside the book that

• On a typical Sunday in 2009, some 5 million people attend a multi-site church in the US and Canada.
• Leaders at some 45,000 churches are “seriously considering adding a worship service at one or more new locations or campuses in the next 2 years.”
• 37% of megachurches reported being multi-site in 2008, up dramatically from 27% in 2005.

So multi-site is truly becoming the new normal. Authors Geoff Surratt, Greg Ligon, and Warren Bird takes readers on a guided tour of issues that arrive when doing multisite ministry and to 14 different multi-site churches and their lessons learned in A Multi-site Church Roadtrip. They also have a good deal of fun as they visit these churches. In keeping with that sense of fun, Zondervan is sponsoring a roadtrip contest. Here's how it works:

1. Write how your church creatively uses multiple venues in 100 words or less AND/OR send a photograph of a humorous road sign. Feel free to also include an iTunes imix with your favorite 10 roadtrip songs.
2. Email your definition/photo to Zondervan at: LNIS@zondervan.com. 
3. Include your name and mailing address.
4. The best entries will be posted on the Zondervan blog and the Multi-site Church Revolution blog and 50 select winners will receive a free advance copy of A Multi-site Church Roadtrip. Entries must be submitted by September 10th to qualify.

Berenstain Bears Title Wins iParenting Media Award

Zonderkidz™, the children’s division of Zondervan and the leader in Christian children's communications, is proud to announce The Berenstain Bears® and the Golden Rule as a 2009 iParenting Media Awards Outstanding Product in the books category.

The iParenting Awards program is the leading family products evaluation committed to helping parents make informed decisions as they choose products. The program evaluation uses state-of-the-art technology and experienced reviewers, including experts and families. Examples of evaluated products are books, accessories, baby care, safety, and bedding. The products are judged based on their quality, durability, age-appropriateness, play value and more. Read the full news release.