I get bored easily. That’s why I find the Lord so fascinating. He never wears out, and He’s full of surprises.
I used to like walking into Christian bookstores and investigating the books on their shelves. But I quit. Why? Because I could no longer abide the festival of pop Christianity.
The vast majority of local Christian bookstores carry stocks of pop Christian books, and rarely (if ever) carry books containing spiritual depth. That used to NOT be the case. But pop Christianity is winning the day — among the masses at least. That’s why I didn’t bemoan the loss of Family Christian Bookstores when they folded.
So to my mind, brick and mortar Christian bookstores always carry a plethora of pop Christian books, which always overshadow the deeper stuff (when they even carry those).
More examples of always …
- Christian trade books always contain chapters that are between 5 and 30 pages (I’m not counting devotionals). Most of them are between 14 and 30 pages long.
- Christian podcasts are always between 15 and 90 minutes long.
- Christian podcasts are always interview-based, monologue-based, or sermon-based.
- Christian books are always either fiction or non-fiction.
- Unless it’s a commentary or Bible reference resource, Christian books always weigh under five lbs.
- Masterminds are virtually always for business leaders.
So for better or worse, I decided to do the opposite of always in all of those areas. (If you’re new to my work, feel free to ask me for examples in the blog comment section and I’ll be happy to provide them for you.)
Now my challenge for you: Why not try doing the opposite of always — in your life, in your business, in your ministry, etc., and see what happens.
The Christian world is dying for lack of imagination and creativity. So why not be among those who break the trend?
“Never been done before” is usually better than “always.”
A Season of Waiting
I am wanting to write whether it is blog form or possibly book form later. Where would be a good place to begin writing? I am in the same boat, that I have very rarely enjoyed the books that are typically on the “best seller” lists. So I find myself not fitting into any particular mold, but instead constantly wanting to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ through a growing understanding of His Word. I suppose I feel a bit overwhelmed at times because I am a husband, father of 4, bi-vocational pastor, and full time employee. But I constantly have a yearning to read more and more and to write and possibly begin some video series for our church. These are just things that have really be nagging at me. I hope this makes sense. 🙂
I advise people to start a blog and begin there. The best resource to learn how is this one: http://buzzseminar.com
Good Morning Frank
You are on FIRE ?! Love how your weekly emails are hitting bullseye ? on my target. My question is this: what would a five fold ministry in action look like in a “message?” Would it be five people rifting all together to build up the saints? One speaking from the Law, another speaking from the Prophets, another from the Psalms, another from wisdom, another from history? I get how few people can get up and talk in front of people and traditionally we listen to one at a time? Just trying to think outside the box ?. Love your ministry and looking forward to the conference in July!
The so-called “five-fold ministry” doesn’t have to do with content; it has to do with role and gifting. I distinguish them in “Finding Organic Church” and also a little here: https://www.frankviola.org/2010/10/27/rethinking-the-five-fold-ministry/
In terms of content, see https://www.frankviola.org/2017/10/04/coworking/
Yes the co-laboring link hit the spot. Thank you!
“Christian books are always either fiction or non-fiction.”
Is there anything BESIDES F or NF?
If you are publishing “biblical narrative,” how is a reader to know what IS BIBLICALLY based and not just a convenient story?
I’m confused by this post, then again, I’m new.
Tammie, everyone who has read those two books is aware of what “biblical narrative” is because it’s explained in the books themselves, along with where the source material has come from.
This page explains it also: https://www.frankviola.org/godsfavoriteplace/
A lot of truth in the general characterizations of pop culture Christianity — BUT — instead of just doing the opposite what would be wrong in just asking the Lord what He wants and doing that?
While that’s true and I agree with it, “just do what God says” has become a canned, meaningless, religious phrase. It’s what virtually every Christian leader says today and virtually everyone who hears that common admonition ends up just repeating what they’ve always done and/or what others have said or done.
We need practical handles and examples of what it looks like to *really* hear the Lord.
When I read the New Testament, I find Jesus doing the opposite of what most of the religious world was — and is — doing and teaching. So I don’t think your comment is in disharmony from my exhortation in this article. Just as I’ve written in Jesus Speaks, which covers the waterfront on the subject.
Hi Frank, I know you had some short chapters in the Untold Story of the NT Church, some pretty short podcasts, the Titan was about 200 lbs, and your Masterminds aren’t targeted at business leaders. I haven’t read all your books but I know some are a mixture of fiction and non-fiction with some autobiographical accounts by Biblical figures. I’m sure I’m missing plenty of other examples.
I haven’t listened to your podcast but I’m curious as to how it isn’t monologue, interview, or sermon based.
Do you try to do things differently for more impact, to not be bored, to try something different, or because the nature of the content is better expressed in a different way?
Hi Andrew. I write the books that I myself want to read, but that don’t exist.
The same with podcasts and events — my feeling is, “Why produce what’s already out there?”
So my reason for creating anything is because (1) I find it valuable and life-changing myself and (2) it doesn’t already exist. I also don’t want to bore anyone else, hence why I have been conditioned to think creatively.
To your questions,
* My upcoming book in the kingdom of God will have very short chapters. Most are 1 – 2 pages long.
* My Christ is All podcast contains conference messages, first-chapters, interviews, comical sketches, spoof sketches, monologues, and it’s the only Christian podcast I’m aware of that has innovative comedic commercials interspersed in some of the episodes. Not suggesting it’s “better” – just “different.” My comment about podcasts was “Christian podcasts are always interview-based, monologue-based, OR sermon-based.” I hope that clarifies.
* My Deeper Journey podcast contains 3-minute episodes.
* The Titan weighs over 5 lbs.
* MinistryMind is a Mastermind event designed for pastors and teachers (those who preach and/or teach).
* My books God’s Favorite Place on Earth and The Day I Met Jesus combine fiction and non-fiction under one cover. I call the new genre “biblical narrative.” It’s different from historical fiction.
I hope these examples inspire others.