Thy Kingdom Connected by Dwight Friesen

Thy Kingdom Connected by Dwight Friesen

Networks: They're everywhere. From our roads to our relationships, from our food supply to our power grids, networks are an integral part of how we live. Similarly, our churches, denominations, and even the kingdom of God are networks. Knowing how networks function and how to work with rather than against them has enormous implications for how live lives of faithful and life-filled ministry. In Thy Kingdom Connected, Dwight Friesen brings the complex theories of networking to church leaders in easy-to-understand, practical ways. Rather than bemoaning the modern disintegration of things like authority and structure, Friesen inspires hope for a more connective vision of life with God. He shows those involved in lives of ministry how they can optimize already existing connections between people in order to share the Good News, embed people more deeply in the lives of their faith communities, and grow together as apprentices of Jesus. Dwight says "This book was born in the context of an eleven-year life altering experiment in ecclesial life, fleshed out in learning communities with thoughtful women and men who never ceased to ask insightful and revealing questions, and now it is being published by my new friends at Baker Books. I hope you’ll take a look at it.  I’m very excited to offer my voice and contribute, even a small piece, to the ongoing conversation. . . let me know what you think." What others are saying "A wonderful tutorial for those who want to experience the kingdom as more than a wistful idea." -Reggie McNeal, missional leadership specialist for Leadership Network "Friesen brings together current thinking on the Trinity, the kingdom of God, and missional church, and creates the first contextual ecclesiology for a networked world. Highly recommended." -Ryan Bolger, associate professor of Church in Contemporary Culture, Fuller Theological Seminary; co-author of Emerging Churches "A treasure chest of insights to further the conversation on the nature of the missional church in post-Christendom Western societies." -Eddie Gibbs, author of ChurchMorph; professor of church growth, Fuller Theological Seminary "A guide to harnessing the powerful possibilities of connections made available through social networks. You may never look at 'church' the same way again." -John R. Franke, Clemens Professor of Missional Theology, Biblical Seminary; author of Manifold Witness: The Plurality of Truth "Helps us see how connection is at the core of the gospel. I recommend it to all Christians emerging in this inescapable cultural reality." -David Fitch, B. R. Lindner Chair of Evangelical Theology, Northern Seminary; author of The Great Giveaway About Dwight Dwight J. Friesen (DMin, George Fox University) is assistant professor of practical theology at Mars Hill Graduate School [1] in Seattle. He was the founding pastor of Quest: A Christ-Commons [2] in Bellevue, Washington, and lives in Seattle, Washington, with his family. [hide] [3] :: Special Viral Blogger Section :: Link-love for your review: Dwight's site [4] Thy Kingdom Connected Facebook page [5] Interview Availability: Dwight is available for blog and podcast interviews. You will receive his contact information if you select Thy Kingdom Connected. [/hide] [1] http://www.mhgs.edu/ [2] http://www.seattlequest.org/ [3] http://viralbloggers.wufoo.com/forms/thy-kingdom-connected/ [4] http://dwightfriesen.com [5] http://www.facebook.com/pages/Thy-Kingdom-Connected/165121348245

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The Book of the Shepherd by Joann Davis

The Book of the Shepherd by Joann Davis

I remember the feeling I had when I printed out the CD-ROM I received in the mail four years ago. It was a novel by a brand-new author, published by a brand-new publishing house set up just for its publication. Having been a freelance editor and publicist for several years, I wasn't too beholden to 'spiritual fiction,' most of it not worth the paper it's printed on in my opinion (sorry - just being honest). But this book seemed different. Somehow I knew the story it contained would have extensive impact, far beyond what it 'should' have. That novel was The Shack. Turns out I was right! I'm getting that feeling again - this time about The Book of the Shepherd by Joann Davis. The difference between Paul Young and Joann Davis is that Davis is a publishing veteran - but she's signed with HarperStudio [1], a new publishing imprint of the Harper family that is no less innovative than Young's publisher. They're built on the principles of experimentation, new media friendliness, and cutting their authors in 50/50 with profit-sharing [2] (royalties begone!). It's befitting that this unusual (and quite successful) new publisher is releasing a quite unusual parable as their first overt entree into spirituality titles. The Book of the Shepherd will resonate with anyone who doesn't care much for schmaltzy Christian fiction but who enjoys Jesus of Nazareth or Francis of Assisi - and perhaps the Joshua series by Joseph Girzone. The tale opens in a graceless world: Stone the builder who erects a house that falls on its occupants. Sever the hands of the criminal who pilfers livestock or grain or another's garment. Whip the child who defies an elder. For such is the law and the law must be obeyed. For generations, these ironclad rules had governed the people. Nobody questioned whether it was right to humiliate a child or execute a murderer. An eye for an eye was the way of the world. But was there another way? When an antiquarian book is discovered in the disheveled study of an old Vermont farmhouse, the house's new owner has the volume translated. The result is The Book of the Shepherd, an enigmatic story full of implications for us all. Set in a mythical time, in an unnamed land, The Book of the Shepherd tells the tale of a shepherd, Joshua, who is troubled by the harsh code of "an eye for an eye" that governs his world. Called by a dream, the shepherd sets off on a journey to find "the new way." Accompanied by Elizabeth, a former slave who is kind and generous, and David, a boy who must learn to walk in new shoes, the shepherd knows that "an age of miracles" will come when the new way is found. But the journey is not without incident. En route to a cave near the Great Inland Sea, the travelers meet a cast of extraordinary characters, including the Storyteller, the Apothecary, the Blind Man, and the Stranger. Each imparts an important lesson that pushes the travelers toward their destiny. At the cave, Joshua must see if he can bring forth secrets long buried. But he, Elizabeth, and David will also discover that sometimes what we have been searching for has been inside us all along. What others are saying "A beautiful demonstration of the 'Power of One,' offering readers important lessons of Truth many are searching for today." - Kathryn Adams Shapiro, author of Wisdom's Choice "A simple and profound parable that engages the heart. A delightful story that even children can enjoy and yet full of deeper meaning and direction for all truth seekers. The Book of the Shepherd should become a classic in every home." - Hyrum Smith, Co-founder of FranklinCovey, Founder of Galileo Initiative "A scribe writes the story. A reader takes it to heart. The world, upon hearing it, is changed forever. The Book of the Shepherd is more than just a poignant and lovely story. It is truth." - Lynne Hinton, author of The Arms of God and The Friendship Cake "From time to time, great teachers have used parables to instruct the human heart. The Book of the Shepherd is such a tale - a luminous book full of revelations of love and forgiveness. I'm going to buy a case for friends and family!" - Joan Borysenko, Ph.D., author of Minding the Body, Mending the Mind "The Book of the Shepherd, a timeless story about one man who is seeking "the new way," is an inspiring and moving fable." - Paulo Coelho, author of The Alchemist "In The Book of the Shepherd, Joann Davis presents us with an insightful tale that cuts through the noise and truly inspires. At a time when many people write about changing the world, she offers a simple journey that vividly demonstrates the importance of every act. An energizing read." - James Redfield, #1 International bestselling author of The Celestine Prophecy "[This book] carries readers to a place too rarely visited in this hard world, a place where love and forgiveness triumph over our worst instincts. We are better people for becoming our own guides on this journey. Read The Book of the Shepherd and discover an untraveled highway." - Meredith Vieira, co-host of the Today Show and Richard M. Cohen, author of Strong at the Broken Places About Joann Joann Davis, a publishing veteran, is married to the historian Kenneth C. Davis. They have two grown children, Jenny and Colin, and live in New York City and Dorset, Vermont. [hide] [3] :: Special Viral Blogger Section :: Link-love for your review: Book trailer on YouTube [4] - a beautifully-shot trailer. Official book page on HarperStudio [5] Let your readers browse inside the book here [6]. Interview Availability: Joann is available for blog and podcast interviews. If you'd like to interview Joann, please email me at zoecarnate@theooze.com [/hide] [1] http://theharperstudio.com/category/26th-story [2] http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/135/fast-talk-the-experimenter.html [3] http://viralbloggers.wufoo.com/forms/the-book-of-the-shepherd/ [4] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vISoaFNNgZU [5] http://theharperstudio.com/authorsandbooks/joanndavis [6] http://browseinside.harpercollins.com/index.aspx?isbn13=9780061942358

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