Andy Rowell

Church Leadership Conversations

  • My Microsoft Publisher document with my blog banner and Twitter profile background

    I just thought I would post my Microsoft Publisher document with my blog banner and Twitter profile background.

    In other words, with the Publisher document above, you can make your own version of these:

    My Twitter profile background:

    TwitterBackground22
     

    and my blog banner

    BannerNovember2008n

    Many of you probably have Microsoft Publisher on your computers with Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.)  You could modify my document in Publisher and make your own. 

    In Publisher, you have to learn to group and ungroup objects. 

    1. You ungroup the objects. 

    2. Then you make any changes. 

    3. Then you hold down the shift key and select all of the objects that form your header and then click "Group."

    4.  Then you right click and "Save as Picture." 

    Twitter background photos have to be less than 700 KB (or 800 KB?) or Twitter will not upload them.  Mine is 657KB. 

    You can change your Twitter background by going to Settings / Design / Change Background Image. 

    I am no designer but I just thought I would share with you how I've muddled through. 

    Another option that Michael Hyatt used is to pay a small fee for a template at tweetpages.com

    I also like the twitter profile backgrounds of Tony Morgan and Kent Shaffer and Andy Crouch.



  • Tim Morgan on “A Journalist’s Observations of the Anglican Communion”

    Here are my notes from:

    “A Journalist’s Observations of the Anglican Communion”

    Date: Wed., Oct. 28

    Time: 12:20 p.m.

    Location: 0015 Westbrook

    Duke Divinity School

    Tim Morgan of Christianity Today will speak on “A Journalist’s Observations of the Anglican Communion” at a brown bag lunch seminar hosted by the Anglican Episcopal House of Studies.

    Disclaimer.  These are not exact transcription or exact quotes but rather just my rough notes.  Still, I know many of you would love the chance to get a glimpse into discussions like these that are happening around Duke Divinity School so I think it is worth posting the notes. 

    Jo Bailey Wells: Introduction: Tim has worked for Christianity Today for 17 years.  He does features and cover stories and travels the globe.  1/2 of CT’s staff is Anglican/Episcopalian.  He covered Lambeth.  He did undergraduate degree at Gordon College and MS in journalism at Boston University. 

    Tim Morgan

    • It is difficult to keep up with everything.  People experience information overload and get disoriented and anxious. 
    • When I was at Lambeth, the leaders were in constant state of anxiety but they were in denial and would never say that.  E.g. People said, “I can’t do an interview with you but I like the Bible studies.”
    • Global snapshot: In Africa, we see tremendous turn inward.  Sudan . . . Kenya . . . Uganda . . . Nigeria—tremendous change.  In America and Europe too.  There is turn inward in large organizations.  The exception is in Asia. 
    • The greatest global opportunities are in Asia: India, China, Pakistan, Singapore.  We need to be asking ourselves, “How are we engaging with Asians?”
    • A big story in foreign policy is China’s influence in Africa.   
    • I’m glad you are passionate about Sudan as I am.  Sudan and Madagascar are both ordaining new bishops.  There it is moving outward. 
    • From outside the Anglican Communion, people don’t understand it.  Within the Anglican Communion, people in the church want to know what they should do if they disagree. 
    • What is my mission?  My mission is to shape the response of Christians to change through truth-revealing stories. 
    • I went to GAFCON event with conservatives and then went to Lambeth. 
    • When I was working on the story about all the events, my editors wanted me to do 1200 word story because most readers of CT aren’t Anglican.  I thought—I did 6 weeks of my life covering this!
    • Canterbury Cathedral is falling apart.  A buff guy was cutting stones in half with handsaw.  He was rebuilding the cathedral.  That became a metaphor for me.  The way the Anglican communion functions—the power is at Lambeth but the culture is at Canterbury.  The culture of Canterbury was being side-stepped.  We are called to culture of martyrdom and pilgrimage of Canterbury. 
    • Jo Wells: There is Canterbury Court in the summer which Duke students can attend. 
    • Elise: I went on the program.  It was beautiful—bringing young priests and seminarians from all over the world—so it was symbolic.  The people at the Cathedral call everyone pilgrims and not tourists.  Everyone is a pilgrim even if they don’t know it. There is an attitude of service there.
    • TM continues: Pilgrimage in Jerusalem or Canterbury is an immersion experience.  It is like a Christian summer camp—plucked out of your setting and put in the Christian community.  Immersion experiences can be negative. 
    • I have been to Rwanda 4 times.  The East African Revival is one of the most important revivals in Christian history—this was Anglican revival. 
    • Anglicanism is reshaping itself.  My job is to think and imagine the new shape of Anglicanism.  The old shape has failed it.  Anglicanism and Anglican Communion were coming together but after 1998 there was divergence—slowly coming apart. 
    • Pope and his new overture toward Anglicans.  Anglicans have new relationship with other parts of Christendom.  Rick Warren is way ahead of the game.  He has been meeting with other denominations since 2004.  I have interviewed him many times and traveled with him.  Primate of Anglican church in Africa who represents 5 million Anglicans is asking Rick Warren how he can do his job better.  Primate has humility and Warren is taking time to say, “This is how I do it.”  Now Catholics want Anglicans. 
    • Metropolitan Jonah—major conference between Anglicans and Orthodox in Wisconsin—a few weeks ago.  Metropolitan Jonah was raised in the Episcopal church.  There is lessening of ties within Anglican Communion and increasing ties with other Christians. 
    • Anglican Communion is functioning more like a network.
    • Technology is driving change a lot in the church.  From the top to Christian education. 
    • Networking is powerful and dangerous.
    • Who are you in communion with?  And who are you networked with? 
    • Now I can be directly in contact with an African leader. 
    • Archbishop Bob Duncan and Bishop Mins are on Facebook.
    • The shape must be Trinitarian.
    •  
    • Graham Pulkingham. 
    • A few specific observations about the church in the UK.     
    • The amazing thing to me is the silence by top Anglican leaders. 
    • Rowan Williams: I didn’t know until the last minute.  That is like “the dog ate my homework.”  We knew this was coming.  The Archbishop of York, Wales or Scotland have not commented. 
    • Story in Times of London—Roman tanks on Lambeth lawn.  They are sensationalizing it. 
    • The biggest challenge before us is relation to state. 
    • Every day I get emails about inhibiting of freedom of religion.  It poses the greatest threat and challenge. 
    • The genius of the first amendment from interference of the state and giving license. 
    • You may see disestablishment of religion in UK—stranger things have happened in British history.  What is the state doing? is a critical question.  Is there a consensus about diestablishment?  Some say, “Bring it on” others would be horrified. 

    Questions and Answers:

    • Q: What does Canterbury being the center have to do with GAFCON networking?  Where do we get creative ideas from—perhaps from Rick Warren and Metropolitan Jonah? 
    • Tim Morgan: This is what we call “creative tension.”  The culture of Canterbury is enriching perspective—your journey as a Christian is a pilgrimage. 
    • Q: Culture of Canterbury?  Technology and disembodiment?
    • TM: People in history had awareness of martyrdom and their spiritual lives were enriched by physical journey.  It has mystical quality but sense of sacrifice—speaking truth to power and the quest for justice and the embodiment of the gospel.  There is an incarnational quality that is very powerful and palpable.  It is leaving your place of comfort. 
    • Jo Wells:  Canterbury is very beautiful but there is no money. 
    • TM: If it is all technological and disembodied, we lose something.  But technology can be used for the furthering of the gospel.  Consider Billy Graham. 
    • Q: Some people see Canterbury as culture of oppression and dominance. 
    • TM: In its past, it was the place of standing against power, the throne, the king.  I went to Zanzibar with Archbishop of Canterbury and celebrate the abolition of slavery.  (That is another cathedral that is falling apart).  In India, there are many stories of oppression in the name of Christianity.   
    • Q: Rick Warren.  Is Anglicanism capable of producing such a person and would we want to? 
    • TM: It is is not beyond the capacity of the global church.  It is hard for people in UK and USA to understand that we are not in the majority.  In Rwanda, they use Anglican prayerbook but sing no Western hymns but rather dance to Rwandan songs.  Great Anglican leadership in Israel, Egypt, Malaysia and Singapore. 
    • Q: Sensory overload.  Do Christians perpetuate the noise?  Should we resist to keep the reverence for the sacred?  Do we need to be extremely countercultural?   
    • TM: When technology begins to damage relationships, we are in the red zone.  Firing off angry email, etc.  When local churches, use technology, e.g. they set up auto-debit for tithe—it can be a problem.  The tangibility will sometimes do us some spiritual good.  Part of it is self-awareness and generational.  My 13 year old daughter is using technology in ways different from my parents who have trouble with email.  I am interested in the subject of intimacy.  God wants to have intimate relationships with us but because we are fallen, that is distorted.  We should be countercultural.   
    • Q: Is Canterbury a way to say what is essential to Anglicanism?  Are you using Canterbury in iconic way to express what is deepest about Anglicanism? 
    • TM: Bishop Lyons from Wheaton College is a bishop in Bolivia.  What can Anglicans offer in Bolivia with Roman Catholics and Pentecostals?  Lyons: “We bring balance.”  Charismatic Anglicans, Confessing Anglicans, Anglo-Catholic—coalescence.  Re-awareness of idea and meaning of Canterbury is a common experience.  Often among clergy they say there is conflict around vision.  Before you have shared vision, there must be shared experience.  Before you have common language, there must be shared experience.  The experience of gospel of God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  At Lambeth, people talked past each other because there is no communion.
    • Q: GAFCON tried to trump Canterbury with Jerusalem.   
    • TM: It is true that we have to get back to Jerusalem but we also have to get Canterbury.  Peter Jenson—very reformed and not charismatic.  But he is meeting with people influenced by East African Revival. 
    • Q:  Christianity Today tries to bring people together.  There is decline of Anglicanism in North America.  Anglicans in US influenced by Pope on one side and Rick Warren on the other. 
    • TM:  I would describe myself as a family man—kids, nephews, uncles, aunts.  It is important in my faith to do delabeling.  I have learned this from my son—he hates the labels on his shirt so we take them off before he wears them.  I take off the labels.  I see you as a brother or sister or aunt.  I grant you a visa to come into my house—to be in relationship with you.  Nation-states keep close control of the borders.  We are in the family of God and this is profoundly counter-cultural.       

    Here are a few articles by Tim Morgan:

    Conservative Anglicans Create Rival Church
    Top leader Duncan expects to see Episcopal Church 'displaced.'
    by Timothy C. Morgan in Wheaton | posted 12/14/2008

    Defending the Faith
    Conservatives face huge obstacles in putting Anglicanism back together.
    by Timothy C. Morgan in Canterbury and Jerusalem | posted 10/13/2008

    The Come-Back Bishop
    Ousted conservative sees a new center emerging in the Christian West.
    Interview by Timothy C. Morgan | posted 10/13/2008

    Global Ultimatum
    The larger meaning of Anglican leaders' demand that the Episcopal Church change its ways.
    Timothy C. Morgan in Tanzania and Zanzibar | posted 3/16/2007 09:35AM

    Ready to Walk Apart?
    Episcopal bishops reject oversight from "distant" prelates.
    Timothy C. Morgan | posted 3/22/2007 09:04AM

    Global Anglicans Flex Muscle
    Conservative bishops join forces to counter potent revisionist wing.
    Timothy C. Morgan | posted 1/01/2006 12:00AM

    Anglicans 'Severely Wounded'
    At a top summit in Egypt, conservatives call for a Scripture-affirming covenant.
    by Timothy C. Morgan in Ain Sukhna, Suez

    Purpose Driven in Rwanda
    Rick Warren's sweeping plan to defeat poverty.

    by Timothy C. Morgan in Kigali, Rwanda | posted 9/23/2005 12:00AM

    Why We're Losing the War Against HIV/AIDS
    Harvard's Edward C. Green says health officials undermine abstinence and fidelity programs in Africa.

    Interview by Timothy C. Morgan | posted 3/07/2005 12:00AM

    The China Paradox

    Timothy C. Morgan | posted 5/09/2008 08:15AM

    Egypt's Identity Impasse
    Former Muslims seek to change their government-issued cards as outreach gains ground.

    Timothy C. Morgan in Cairo | posted 4/14/2008 08:50AM

    After the Aloha Shirts
    Retooling Saddleback's international work and hosting a presidential forum serve a common purpose, says Rick Warren.

    Interview by Timothy C. Morgan | posted 10/01/2008 07:28AM

  • Publisher Panel: “I want to publish a book someday. What do I do now?”

    Here are my notes from a panel this evening at Duke Divinity School entitled “I want to publish a book someday. What do I do now?” with participants Mickey Maudlin from HarperOne, Lil Copan from Paraclete Press, Jon Pott from Eerdmans, and Jana Riess from Westminster/John Knox.

    Tuesday, October 27, 2009. 7:00 pm

    Disclaimer.  These are not exact
    transcription or exact quotes but rather just my rough notes.  Still, I
    know many of you would love the chance to get a glimpse into
    discussions like these that are happening around Duke Divinity School
    so I think it is worth posting the notes.  

    Jana Riess from Westminster/John Knox.

    1. Don’t write a memoir for your first book. 
    2. You probably won’t get rich. 

    10 Things You Can Do Now to Help You Get Published Later

    1. Take a wide variety of classes.
    2. Don’t be a jerk.  Be eager to be edited by your editor. 
    3. Build your platform now. 
    4. Write blog.  Write op-eds.  Write book reviews.  Practice writing for the public. 
    5. Create a social media profile.
    6. Don’t make your dissertation a narrow topic. 
    7. Study the market very carefully before you write your book proposal.  How to Write a Book Proposal.
      What are the competing books out there?
    8. Stay up to date on technology. 
    9. Test your ideas on real people outside the ivory tower. 
    10. Read, read, read.  Popular fiction to popular nonfiction.  Writer’s Market Guide to Getting Published.  


    Lil Copan from Paraclete Press

    • Some writers write because they want to get published.  It is not about what they need to say.  They are disappointing to work with. 
    • Robert Olen Butler at Florida State—head of writing program: “writing from the white hot center.”  Wait for a calling. 

    • People who write from place of great passion and it is unexplored have passion.  
    • If they know everything about the topic, then it is a dull topic.
    • Sets of homilies do not turn well into books.  The spoken word and written text are different.  You must rewrite it for readers. 
    • Anecdote is different from narrative. 
    • Learn from Ellen Davis [who gave inaugural lecture “The Poetry of Care and Loss” as the Amos Ragan Kearns Distinguished Professor of Bible and Practical Theology earlier this evening].

    Jon Pott from Eerdmans

    • You don’t have to write in life to be a success.  There is an itch among students to write.  It is a high calling.  Don’t feel too burdened to write.  It is advice I believe in.  Students today feel more obliged to write than they did 10 years ago.  There are good sermons to preach and articles to write.
    • The need to know your publisher.  We are distinctively different.  A lot of what I am involved is in the academic world.  Don’t send to Eerdmans a book that should go to John Knox/Westminster.  We are eclectic. I’m astounded how many I get that are not apt for us. 
    • Dissertations.  If you are going to write an academic book, one strong piece of advice, know from the start whether it is going to be a publishable subject.  You write for your committee.  Afterward, you hope to just make cosmetic changes and shorten it.  Your committee does you a disservice unless it will finally be publishable book. 
    • E.g. a comparative study of Barth and Schleiermacher.  The constructive third part is of interest but the rest is not.   
    • Two audiences with two goals.   For your committee, you want to demonstrate competence.  For your publisher, you want easiest ticket to tenure.  But the subject is not suited to the second taskmaster. 
    • Practice writing.  Today’s writing because of email, people stand less behind their words.  Expressiveness but not thoughtfulness is a problem. 
    • Study the markets—who else is out there. 

    Mickey Maudlin from HarperOne

    • In New York, one of the top 5-6 in New York publishers. 
    • But religion books in San Francisco since 1970’s. 
    • How are we different?  Who do we reach and how do we reach them? 
    • We are general trade publishing not church and academia. 
    • We work closely with culture and religion.  You probably won’t start with us. 
    • Colbert, Time, Newsweek, Oprah—national media drives our books.
    • Not so much the content but the person has a platform. 
    • We rarely do first time authors. 
    • Lauren Winner, Barbara Brown Taylor, Jack Spong, Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, Bart Ehrman, N. T. Wright.
    • Barnes and Noble, Borders, and Amazon.  Take 10,000 copies.  We are going to promote it. 
    • Our authors are curious people. 
    • Learn to write in first person but it is not about you. 
    • You become people who have something to say.  You pioneered something.  Dyslexic?  I will find a way to get them in print if they have something to say. 
    • People think it is all about content.  Content question is: What is this book going to give to the reader after they’ve read it?  We have to spell out the takeaway on cover, in title, and how we describe it in marketing copy. E.g. Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible and Why by Bart D. Ehrman. 

    Questions and Answers:

    How do you get published?  What is the etiquette? 

    Riess: People submit manuscripts.  See instructions on the website of the publisher and follow them closely.  Relate your proposals to books who have done well with that publisher.

    Potts:  Query letter.  Who you are, why you want to do it, market, how does it fit with other books.  Who are the intellectual influences? 

    Riess: Some want proposal mailed and some emailed.  I want it emailed because I live in a different city from the publisher. 

    Maudlin: Be shrewd—who was the editor of previous books.  How did the book do?  Good proposal shows you are willing to hustle the book too.  It is not easy today to get noticed. 

    Does academic quality matter?

    Potts: Yes.  The academic factor is important.  We like work that breaks new ground, is creative, well done, and adds something to the discussion.  Our publishing house is built for some books with few copies (1500 reader books).  Print on demand is a help there.  We’re finding we do more books digitally.  700 copies—print on demand.  1000 copies we print it the classic way.  You can scarcely tell the difference nowadays. 

    Riess: Explain with academic books where you will be speaking, journals you are on board on, and what classes might use it. 

    Timetable?

    Copan: We expect book to be in a year.  Once finished and manuscript in, it is 6-8 months until release date. 

    Potts: For us it takes a year once we get it. 

    Maudlin:  After finished manuscript, it is 12-14 months to get media ready. 

    Control?

    All: Publisher has freedom with regard to design and even title but they try to work with authors. 

    How early should you contact a publisher?

    Maudlin:  Sample chapter. 

    Riess: Have a proposal ready to back up your query. 

    How do you study the market? 

    Maudlin:  Publisher’s Lunch.  Publisher’s Weekly newsletter.  http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/lunch/subscribe.html

    Riess: You need to show that you have done some market research. 

    Potts: Look at Amazon or bookstores and know what else is out there.

    Riess: Depression and African-Americans—a niche there. 

    What are the advantages of getting into religious publishing?  

    Riess: You can be a generalist. 

    What is a proposal? 

    Maudlin: Sell the book.

    Potts: Make it easy for us.

    Coauthoring?

    Copan: Many relationships tested by the process. 

    Maudlin: How do you tell stories?  That is another hurdle. 

    How many proposals come to fruition? 

    All: The attrition rate is very high because most never do basic research about the publisher and a proper book proposal.

    Maudlin: We accept no unsolicited manuscripts.

    Copan: 2-3 a year.

    Potts: 5% unsolicited. 

    Maudlin: Don’t despair about the future of the book.  Books will be with us.  It is the golden age of reading.  There is lots of reading being done by kids and youth and new venues for reading. 

    Notes:

    I thought it was interesting to view this list as a background to what they were saying tonight: Publisher's Weekly Christian Marketplace Bestsellers: November 2009 (H/T Michael Hyatt)

    And I thought this article was very humorous about book marketing: The New Yorker Subject: Our Marketing Plan by Ellis Weiner October 19, 2009

    I would also bet Michael Hyatt's book Writing a Winning Book Proposal is good. http://michaelhyatt.com/products/ebook-writing-a-winning-book-proposal