The Monkey and the Fish: Liquid Leadership for a Third-Culture Church (Leadership Network Innovation Series) - Softcover

Gibbons, Dave

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0310276020 ISBN 13: 9780310276029

Publisher: Zondervan, 2009

Synopsis

Our world is marked by unprecedented degrees of multiculturalism, ethnic diversity, social shifts, international collaboration, and technology-driven changes. The changes are profound, especially when you consider the unchecked decline in the influence, size, and social standing of the church. There is an undercurrent of anxiety in the evangelical world, and a hunger for something new. And we’re sensing the urgency of it.We need fresh, creative counterintuitive ways of doing ministry and church and leading it in the 21st century. We need to adapt. Fast. Both in our practices and our thinking. The aim of this book is simple: When we understand the powerful forces at work in the world today, we’ll learn how something called The Third Culture can yield perhaps the most critical missing ingredient in the church today―adaptability―and help the church remain on the best side of history. A Third Culture Church and a Third Culture Leader looks at our new global village and the church’s role in that village in a revolutionary way. It’s a way to reconnect with the historical roots of what Jesus envisioned the church could be―a people known for a brand of love, unity, goodness, and extravagant spirit that defies all conventions. This book is part of the successful Leadership Innovation Series.

About this title

Book Description:

Like it or not, the world is changing faster than the latest Intel Pentium chip can process. Some, like a child trying to stop the waves from reaching the beach, plant their feet in futile resistance. Some hope only to adapt and survive. But others want to become adept and thrive--ahead of the curve. Dave Gibbons is uniquely designed by God and given to the church for a time such as this. Any who are willing not just to ride the momentum but perhaps even to contribute to and shape the future need to read this book. It is for you!

From the Publisher:

Can we really make a difference in today's culture? The Monkey and the Fish inspires Christ-followers to get outside their self-absorbed bubble and break the box of conformity. Gibbons' challenging writing will move you to passionately seek opportunities to love God's people in an innovative way. -- Craig Groeschel, Pastor, LifeChurch.tv, and author, It

As an entrepreneur at heart and a person passionate about what is next, I resonate with Dave Gibbons. His innovative spirit has connected with a vision for what's next and resulted in The Monkey and the Fish, a book that looks at the world and the church in a revolutionary way. -- Bob Buford, Founder, Leadership Network

Dave has not given us another formula for Christian community and Christian leadership. Instead, he has given us a renewed vision of our calling. What the world needs most is the same thing that the church needs most--third-culture Christians. Anyone who wonders about the relevance of church--in their own lives or in the global community--should read The Monkey and the Fish. -- Bill Clark, Vice President of Development, International Justice Mission

Did Jesus really call his followers to change the world? ...we must ask the painful question of why we haven't changed the world more profoundly. The church is surely big enough, but it would seem that bigness is not the answer. Jesus often thought small. The Monkey and the Fish takes away our measuring sticks and helps us see where the power of churches to transform culture really lies. --Richard Stearns, President, World Vision US

David Gibbons is one of those rare directional thinkers who sees things the rest of us don't. Fortunately, he then speaks of these things in ways the rest of us can hear. We all know something new is appearing on the horizon. This book will help you perceive it more clearly for yourself. It will stretch your thinking, and then it will stretch your faith. -- Gary Walter, President, The Evangelical Covenant Church

It is thoroughly refreshing to read a book that seriously considers the impact of global shifts like the third-culture milieu upon the life and mission of the church. Dave Gibbons provides several innovative insights with concrete examples that will most definitely initiate meaningful conversations and movements among those who desire to become tangible (or "liquid") expressions of the gospel to an ever-changing culture.... -- Charles Lee, Lead Cultural Catalyst, New Hope

This is ...an important book. Its words come straight from the "gut" of the author, who strives to embrace third culture in every facet of his life. It will challenge you to be more daring for Christ. --Daniel S. Kim, Pastor, Sa Rang Community Church

Dave Gibbons masterfully demonstrates the need for the church to be the relevant, practical, bridge-building organism that God intended. I commend this compelling book to every person who has a passion for cultural relevancy and gracious authenticity. I was captivated from page one. -- Dave Anderson, Pastor, Bridgeway Community Church

In days marked by huge cultural shifts, we can't afford to worship our methods and traditions. We have to embrace adaptability. The church must begin to write new stories to reach a new world. In The Monkey and the Fish, Dave Gibbons delivers insight that will challenge your view of our world and the role of the local church. -- Tony Morgan, Author, Killing Cockroaches

... Dave Gibbons asks some challenging, disturbing, yet empowering questions for leaders interested in impacting today's global village with the love of Jesus. The Monkey and the Fish is full of honest and authentic reflections from Dave's journey, which has led him to become a global thinker and an innovator impacting diverse cultures around the world. This is not a book to read if comfort and safety are your ultimate goals! -- Scott Hodge, Pastor, Orchard Valley Community Church

With eyes wide open to the new global village in which we now live, Dave Gibbons calls us to a new way of being the church, a third-culture way that stands in sharp contrast to big, brash, rich, and comfortable American-way churches. Dave is a reliable guide because he walks, courageously, the third-culture way. This is an important book which comes to us in the midst of tumultuous times, filled with stories, wisdom, and a challenge to be the people of God in this new world. -- Richard Peace, Fuller Theological Seminary

The Monkey and the Fish is a much-needed breath of fresh air for the American church. In training future leaders of the church, I often find that there is a dearth of literature or examples of leadership relevant for an increasingly diverse and globalizing world. Dave Gibbons, employing the concept of third culture, reveals an approach to leadership that, if heeded, should revolutionize how we approach ministry in the twenty-first century. -- Soon-Chan Rah, Assistant Professor, North Park Theological Seminary

A powerful and compelling invitation to a ministry that embraces pain, suffering, and the cross. -- Peter T. Cha, Associate Professor, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Dave Gibbons is a revolutionary thinker, a big dreamer, and a thought leader that we should all pay close attention to. I'm positive "Monkey and The Fish" will disrupt your current understanding of culture as it did mine. This is not simply a book but a brilliant field guide to the future. -- Mike Foster, President of Ethur

As a practitioner of reconciliation this book has given me renewed hope for the church! Dave Gibbons honestly shares his story with us and challenges us to go beyond our structural thinking and our old paradigms to rediscover the global vision and purpose of the Church. The strategies and principles in this book are counter-cultural and revolutionary. They show us how to engage the culture and in so doing, rediscover ourselves. This is a must read for anyone who wants to move from talking to dreaming to transformation! -- Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil, Scholar in Residence, North Park University

About this edition

• Publisher: Zondervan
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0310276020
• ISBN 13: 9780310276029
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 224