Zondervan Blog

NOOMA Special

With the holiday season approaching we want to help you make a difference in people's lives with gifts that bring inspiration and the message of the gospel.

"Jesus lived with the awareness that God is doing something, right here, right now, and anybody can be a part of it. He encouraged his listeners to search, to question, to wrestle with the implications of what he was saying and doing. He inspired, challenged, provoked, comforted, and invited people to be open to God’s work in this world. Wherever he went, whatever he did, Jesus started discussions about what matters most, because for Jesus, God is always inviting us to open our eyes and join in." -Rob Bell

Many people have been touched by the NOOMA series and NOOMA is currently featuring many of these stories on Flannel. Consider giving a unique and inspiring gift to people in your life this year. Right now on zondervan.com use offer code 980646 to receive a FREE NOOMA when you purchase any two NOOMAs.

About NOOMA
NOOMAs are short films between 10 and 14 minutes long, about God and our lives. NOOMAs are appropriate for personal and small group settings, congregational meetings, and much more. Like parables, they use the experiences of our lives to communicate the fullness of life through Jesus, tackling issues like forgiveness, discipleship, and unconditional love. The study materials accompanying each NOOMA encourage meaningful discussion with relevant questions and biblical references.

Your Guide to Multi-Site Churches En Route to a Store Near You; Special Offer for Ministry Leaders

We are thrilled to announce the release of our latest book on the multi-site church movement, A Multi-site Church Road Trip. According to the great team at Zondervan, copies began shipping from their warehouse on Friday, September 4. So pick up yours at a local Christian bookstore or place an order today.

The book is packed with the stories of leaders and churches who are taking the multi-site model to innovative new places – from lower income neighborhoods to the internet and literally around the world through locations in India and many countries across the continent of Africa. Warren, Geoff and I take you behind the scenes to our road trip conversations with 15 plus senior pastors who are leading the new models.

In addition to new locations, you will discover what is new in terms of technology, structure, mergers and leadership development. And be sure to check out what is certain to be a hot topic chapter, “Are You Sure This Isn’t A Sin?”

We would love to have us help spread the word. We have developed a free online resource, "Multi-site Church Toolkit: Launch Analysis", that we will send to anyone who completes one of the following.

• Buys a copy of the book
• Posts this tweet – “Get a copy of Multi-site Church Road Trip Now at http://bit.ly/2KZlzO”
• Posts a comment on this blog or creates a post on your own blog.
• Posts a review on a retailer website, such as Amazon.com

Once you have completed one of the items above, send an email to multisiteroadtrip@zondervan.com indicating where you purchased the book or made your post and we will send you the free resource.

You can also get 50% off of A Multi-Site Church Roadtrip, The Multi-Site Church Revolution and the other books in the Leadership Network Innovation Series for 50% off through the end of September by using this code (810053) when you shop on Zondervan.com/ministry. Visit http://www.zondervan.com/lnis for more info.

Hope that you have as much fun “exploring the new normal” on this road trip as we have!

Greg Ligon
Twitter: @gregligon
email: greg.ligon@leadnet.org

New Web-Based Training Site for Ministry Leaders

Zondervan has partnered with a new web-based video teaching/training site called Innovative Ministry Leader. Innovative Ministry Leader provides churches and leaders convenient access to information and insights that will enable you to effectively communicate the message of Christ in today’s culture.

Innovative Ministry Leader is the world’s first complete web-based training center for today’s leaders. It allows EVERYONE from your team (one person or one million) teaching and insight from innovative leaders from around the world.

IML has video teaching in the areas of leadership, worship, marketing, culture, and technology.

Every month IML features new web-based videos that range in length from 20 to 60 minutes. There are areas for people to engage in chat rooms as they watch the teaching and even has a “buddy list” of sorts so you can connect with leaders with similar interests.

All videos are archived as well, so you can access them at anytime!

Anne Jackson, author of Mad Church Disease will launch things on June 9th and others will follow including Jeff Deyo, Troy Gramling, Sheri Gould, Greg Stielstra, Dino Rizzo (Servolution), Paul Jackson, Tommy Kyllonen (Un.orthodox), Mark Batterson, Ross Parsley, Skye Jethani (The Divine Commodity), Jud Wilhite, and many others to come. In addition, the first 150 people who register will receive ALL 8 of the Leadership Network Innovation Series books FREE!

So check out the new site and register today!

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Technorati tags: ministry training, Leadership Network, Anne Jackson, Zondervan

Reaching Out to Your Mormon (LDS) Neighbors

What does the Book of Mormon teach? How does it compare to the Bible? Why does this book appeal to many people? Former Mormon Ross Anderson addresses these and other questions in Understanding the Book of Mormon, guiding readers in an exploration and assessment of the Book of Mormon and offering a Christian response to its teaching. In the video below, Ross explains how his book can help you reach out more effectively to your Mormon neighbors.

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Technorati tags: Ross Anderson, Understanding the Book of Mormon, Mormon, former+Mormon, Latter Day Saints, Book of Mormon, LDS, Zondervan

Don't Just Celebrate Easter, Experience It

This coming Sunday we celebrate Easter. Rather than just going through the normal routine you always go through every Easter, why not try something new that is sure to help you get into the right spiritual frame of mind. And it won’t cost you a dime.

Visit www.BibleExperience.com/TheCross and track Christ’s final journey with The Bible Experience. Follow along by listening to the audio clips, reading the passages of scripture, and then taking a moment of quiet reflection with each accompanying prayer.

This special Easter devotion is a variation on the Stations of the Cross known as the Scriptural Way of the Cross. Enjoy!

Keith

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Technorati tags: Easter, Stations of the Cross, Jesus, Way of the Cross, The Bible Experience, Zondervan

Is the Tomb Really Empty?

Of course it is. But have you explored the archaeological evidence surrounding the final days of Jesus, his crucifixion, and his resurrection? Now you have an opportunity.

Put on your fedora hat, visit the Archaeological Study Bible website, and take a virtual journey inside the tomb. Learn about the Shroud of Turin, the Sanhedrin, the location of the upper room, the location of Jesus’ empty tomb, and more. Enjoy!

Keith

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Technorati tags: Bible Archaeology, Shroud of Turin, Archaeological Study Bible, empty tomb, Easter, crucifixion, Zondervan

Discussing Tough Questions of Faith

If we are honest, we have to admit that there are many things we don’t understand about God, especially in the face of terrible suffering and evil. Chris Wright offers reflections and encouragement from the Scriptures, so that those who are troubled by these tough questions can still sustain their faith.

The God I Don't Understand will be featured in weekly blog posts, chapter by chapter, throughout the spring on Zondervan Academic's Koinonia blog. The blog series began last week. Visit the Koinonia blog every Wednesday to see video clips from the author that introduce each chapter (see today's post). Or you can join the online discussion and see the same video clips on Facebook.

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Technorati tags: Chris Wright, faith, questions, Christianity, evil, suffering, God, Zondervan

Sign up for Faith In ACT!ON Sunday | April 27, 2008

The Church has left the building

Faith in Action is a 4-week, church-wide campaign that creates in your congregation an outward focus and a heart to serve. Faith in Action culminates in a Sunday when regular services are cancelled and the entire congregation engages in service projects in, and with, the community.

Join now to have your church put its Faith in Action.  The National Campaign dates are April 27 and October 12, 2008.  Or, participate when it's best for you. 

Faith in Action is...

• 28 Daily Devotionals

• 4 weeks of small groups

• 4 Sermons/services

• 1 Cancelled worship service replaced by a day of community service – all wrapped up with an evening celebration.

After 3 weeks of Faith In Action weekend services, small groups and daily devotionals that will inspire, empower and mobilize your members -- do something courageous.

Close the doors of your church and open your heart to your community through a day of service projects involving your entire congregation.

Get involved here:  www.PutYourFaithInAction.org

Learn about the Faith in Action Study Bible.