By Mark A. Taylor
It’s one thing for a publishing company to find good manuscripts, produce attractive books, and throw them at the local church with an invitation to buy.
It’s something quite different to start with effective local church leaders and partner with them to publish tried and true resources to help other congregations fulfill their mission.
The first approach is not wrong. Sometimes it’s the best a publisher can do.
But the second approach, tried far too seldom, is far more effective. Here at Standard Publishing, it’s the direction we want to go.
Two new releases to be introduced at this summer’s North American Christian Convention are good examples.
Rick Rusaw and Eric Swanson touched a nerve with their first book, The Externally Focused Church, precisely because it reflected a ministry approach that was making a difference. The externally focused concept has transformed LifeBridge Christian Church where Rick preaches.
Members of LifeBridge have served thousands of hours in their community. They’ve worked in schools, at parks, and through human resource agencies, demonstrating the love of Christ and earning the right to explain why they serve.
Now Rick and Eric have written a new book, Living a Life on Loan: Finding Grace at the Intersections. It is not an assortment of theories, but a practical guide based on experiences like those in Longmont and in the ministries of other churches from coast to coast.
Standard Publishing will release the book this fall. Rick will speak at a special preview luncheon just before the NACC in Louisville (see below).
With him will be Kyle Idleman, preaching associate at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, to speak and show preview clips of a revolutionary new video resource he has helped produce.
The project is called H2O . Its 10 sessions introduce viewers to Living Water with video quality unlike anything you’ve ever seen for the church to use. Written and filmed by City on a Hill Productions, the H2O DVDs tell stories as compelling as any you’ll find on television or at the movies.
Kyle speaks in each episode, not as the central figure, but as a commentator to the story. The focus of H2O is the gospel and introducing Jesus to postmodern seekers in a new way.
Each of these resources is fresh and helpful. Each will be accompanied with a wide array of leader’s resources and small group guides. Each shows how Standard Publishing wants to partner with creative voices in the local church to provide resources for the local church.
Tuesday, June 27: 11:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. at the Louisville Marriott Downtown
Featuring Rick Rusaw and Kyle Idleman
Tickets (only $10) include meal, presentation, free samples, and $10 gift certificate
Sign up at http://shopping.standardpub.com/detail.aspx?ID=2052
0 Comments