Zondervan Blog

New Post on ZonderFann: Books, Popcorn, and Myths

Chris Fann has a fun post on his blog. Myth or fact? Can you make popcorn by spitting kernals through a flame?

And while you're at it, learn about the Busted blog tour (http://zonderfann.com/2009/06/02/books-popcorn-and-myths/). Enjoy.

Join Skye Jethani TODAY on a Blog Tour about His New Book, The Divine Commodity

Skye Jethani, Managing Editor of Leadership Journal and author of the new book, The Divine Commodity, will be visiting over 20 blogs TODAY, 16 April, to talk about his book, and consumerism’s effect on Christianity.

In the book, Skye interacts with both consumerism's grip on American culture as well as the artwork and life of Vincent van Gogh and connects the two. In the end, Skye offers a way to break free of the grip of consumerism by practicing several spiritual disciplines.

Please visit this blog and the others linked below to read Skye’s answer to some great questions. Also, post your comments and questions as well to the respective blogs, as Skye will be interacting with commenters on each blog. For more about The Divine Commodity, visit Skye’s blog (www.SkyeJethani.com). Here is a list of the blogs involved in today's tour:

• Out of Ur
• Flowerdust
• Stuff Christians Like
• Ragamuffin Soul
• Monday Morning Insight
• Mark D Roberts
• Ben Arment
• Church Relevance
• Bob Franquiz
• Bob Hyatt
• Cole-Slaw
• The Forgotten Ways
• Reclaiming the Mission
• The Shlog
• Frank Viola
• The Gospel-Driven Church
• Christina Meyer
• Preaching Today
• The Shlog
• Gathering In Light
• Off the Agenda
• Take Your Vitamin Z
• Staying Focused
• ZonderFann

---

Technorati tags: Skye Jethani, Blog Tour, Church, The Divine Commodity, Zondervan

Sample The Monkey and the Fish before Tomorrow's Blog Tour

Tomorrow Dave Gibbons, author of The Monkey and the Fish, will be participating in a blog tour answering questions about his book. To get you primed, click here to read the first chapter of The Monkey and the Fish.

Also, be sure to check out what these blogs have already said about Dave’s book:

• Jesus Creed
• Mark Oestreicher
• Catablog
• Creative Leadership

Click here to read the Leadership Journal interview with Dave.

This last weekend Eugene Cho, who blogs at Beauty and Depravity, interviewed Dave. Click here to watch the video interview.

See you tomorrow!

---

Technorati tags: Dave Gibbons, Blog Tour, Church, The Monkey and the Fish, Zondervan

How Does the Parable of the Monkey and the Fish Relate to Today's Church?

A typhoon stranded a monkey on an island. In a protected place on the shore, while waiting for the raging waters to recede, he spotted a fish swimming against the current. It seemed to the monkey that the fish was struggling and needed assistance. Being of kind heart, the monkey resolved to help the fish. A tree leaned precariously over the spot where the fish seemed to be struggling. At considerable risk to himself, the monkey moved far out on a limb, reached down, and snatched the fish from the waters. Scurrying back to the safety of his shelter, he carefully laid the fish on dry ground. For a few moments, the fish showed excitement but soon settled into a peaceful rest.
—An Eastern parable

The Monkey and the Fish is a new book by Dave Gibbons that takes its name from this parable. How does this relate to the church today? Dave writes:

“Our world is changing so rapidly, and more than ever, the church needs more than good intention. To effectively carry Jesus’ gospel to various places around the globe today – more important, to be Jesus’ gospel – listening is required. We need to be sensitive and lead with an eager learner’s resolve. Those who follow Jesus embody fluidity, adaptation, and collaboration. It’s what we call the third-culture way. Adaptable to changing circumstances. To challenging cultures. To complex crises and problems. If there’s one quality that matters most to the fate of the church in the twenty-first century, it’s adaptability.”

The Monkey and the Fish explores how leaders can learn to read culture and adapt. Dave is not advocating changing the message – that remains true regardless – but we need to adapt our methodology to reach a changing culture. How do we do that? It’s in the book.

This Thursday, March 5, Dave will be all over the blogosphere answering questions from top bloggers around the country. They have asked him their questions about a Third-Culture Church, and you can see his answers, and ask your own questions. Dave will be checking in on each of the blogs to respond to any comments, concerns and follow-up questions. Here is a list of the blogs involved:

• Deadly Viper (Mike Foster)
• On the Journey (Brad Lomenick)
• Catablog (Jesse Phillips)
• Less Clutter & Noise (Kem Meyer)
• DJChuang.com
• Leadership Network Book Blog
• Monday Morning Insight (Todd Rhoades)
• The Digital Sanctuary (Cynthia Ware)
• ScottHodge.org
• BibleDude.net (Dan King)
• MarkDRoberts.com
• DaveIngland.com
• JasonHicks.org
• Mom Helen (Helen Lee)

If you want to find out more in anticipation for the blog day, here is a video about third culture from Dave and his staff at NewSong:

Come back to the Zondervan blog tomorrow for a free sample chapter, and visit Dave’s blog to learn more (www.DaveGibbons.tv).

---

Technorati tags: Dave Gibbons, Blog Tour, Church, The Monkey and the Fish, Zondervan

Are You Equipped to Communicate Your Faith?

In a world increasingly indifferent to Christian truth, followers of Christ need to be equipped to communicate with those who do not speak their language or accept their source of authority. In Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions, Greg Koukl demonstrates how to get in the driver’s seat, keeping any conversation moving with thoughtful, artful diplomacy.

A Tactics blog tour begins today at www.challies.com and will continue through the week. Be sure to follow Greg through the blogosphere as he answers readers' questions about how to better engage others about the Christian Faith. If you'd like see the Tactics fan page on Facebook, click here.

---

Technorati tags: Gregory Koukl, Tactics, faith, evangelism, blog tour, Christianity, Zondervan

Kary Oberbrunner Visits Today to Discuss The Fine Line

Every generation must answer the most basic ethical question of the Christian faith, “What does it mean to be in the world, but not of it?” Answering correctly yields relevance, something the world deeply desires, but rarely sees. The Fine Line by Kary Oberbrunner re-envisions what it means to integrate Christianity with culture. Available in January 2009. Read a Sample

Any Questions for Kary about his book? Any comments about the book? More about Kary's Blog Tour

Kary Oberbrunner's Blog Tour Starts November 10!

Join Kary Oberbrunner November 10 through December 10 as he fields questions and comments on a variety of blogs about his new book The Fine Line: Re-envisioning the Gap between Christ and Culture, available January 2009. Blog Tour Details

Watch The Fine Line full trailer:

Video Interview with Kary Oberbrunner | The Fine Line

Watch this video interview with Kary Oberbrunner as he talks about the inspiration for his new book The Fine Line: Re-envisioning the Gap between Christ and Culture. Be sure to participate in Kary's blog tour, starting November 10!

Walking the Fine Line

Every generation must answer the most basic ethical question of the Christian faith, “What does it mean to be in the world, but not of it?” Answering correctly yields relevance, something the world deeply desires, but rarely sees. The Fine Line by Kary Oberbrunner re-envisions what it means to integrate Christianity with culture.... Learn More.

Be sure to participate in Kary’s blog tour starting November 10!

Watch this video to learn more about The Fine Line:

Craig Groeschel's IT Blog Tour, Stop 5

Question: What is the one take-away from IT? If readers only grasped one thing from IT, what would you hope it would be?

Craig: Probably the most important take-away thought from the book, IT, is this:

If you want your ministry to have IT, you, as the leader, need to have IT.

For the Zondervan blog readers, I pray that you don’t allow ministry to kill the passion you have for Christ and His people. I beg you not to substitute ministry for your relationship with God! That’s exactly what I did—and lost IT—that unique work of God that flows through His surrendered servants. If you’ve ever had IT and lost IT, the great news is you can get IT back again. Expose yourself to something that breaks your heart, stirs your passion, and ignites a righteous anger!

Fall in love with Jesus like you just met him for the first time! Fast! Pray! Search for God! Don’t stop until He overwhelms you with his grace and restores your relationship with your First Love.!