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Jason Boyett, who has written some amazing books, was gracious enough to interview me about Mad Church Disease, writing over at FlowerDust.net, and what it’s like to be a rookie author.
You can read the interview here: Part 1 / Part 2
And check out some of his books here!
Just a note to say the Squidoo lens on Mad Church Disease has been updated. A few videos (including a new one from me with book updates), as well as what the world wide web is saying…
You can check it out here…and you should.
Oh, by the way…
Have you joined the Facebook Group Fight Mad Church Disease yet?
The rough draft is almost complete. In just a few days I will be sending it off to my editor, Paul, at Zondervan. He has already made some macro comments on the first 25,000 words which I am incorporating into the entire manuscript.
We have also landed on a final title (Mad Church Disease) and subtitle - soon to be revealed. And I am really looking forward to this meeting tomorrow!
Oh yeah. jazzed to see what comes out of this meeting!
In just a few months, it will also be available for pre-order. Do you guys actually preorder books or wait until they’re released? What if there was an incentive or discount? Just curious!
Keep on praying…I have some final words to write this week!
Two weeks and I will be sending my editor a pretty little manuscript. Ok. It probably won’t be so pretty. Or little. So, let’s just say a really rough and messy manuscript. I am so excited to see how their genius will make my thoughts and words flow and be impactful!
I’ve also been on a few email chains as far as design and marketing things go. It is SO exciting to see the team at Zondervan work together, throw out ideas, and ask questions about the best way to get this book in the hands of people who need it.
I know early 2009 is a long way away, and I appreciate you guys hanging in there and encouraging me, encouraging each other, and spreading the MCD love across the internet.
We’re in the final stretch!
Burnout may never kill you but your long life may not seem worth living. - Dr. Archibald Hart
Perry Noble from NewSpring is one of the contributing pastors for Mad Church Disease. In one of his interview answers, he wrote this and it cracked me up. 
I found it interesting in reading through the Gospels that Jesus actually had Pharisees (today we call them bloggers) following Him around and pointing out how He didn’t do ministry to their approval.
It’s a disease nobody talks about until it’s too late. Statistics and stories prove the health of those serving in ministry is declining – physically, mentally, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. Healthy organizations thrive in a state of adaptation - flexing and flowing, allowing for change and growth as the Spirit guides and as it progresses.
So why do we burn out? What defines a healthy environment and how do we can fulfill our call without going insane? Anne Jackson shares her experience of crashing and burning, as well as research from church and statistical experts, and interviews from church staff, families of staff, and volunteers walking through ministry. Mad Church Disease is a resource for anybody in ministry – vocational or volunteer – who would like to understand, prevent, and treat the epidemic of burnout in church culture.
I know I don’t update this blog nearly as often as I should, but I have spent the last week writing thousands and thousands of little characters which make thousands and thousands of words. Chris & I have moved into our apartment in downtown OKC and are pretty much unpacked. We both start working at LifeChurch.tv on Monday!
The first deadline with Zondervan was sending them the latest flow/Table of Contents, and the first chapter, as well as some other bits for marketing. They have about 10,000 words or so in their possession for editing and creative purposes.
I must say it is much harder than I expected to write this book. There are a few things I have been debating whether or not to include, and it is been a challenge to not take the easy way out. Many of the books I’ve been using for research, if I’m not careful, make me feel a little inadequate for not having a bunch of letters after my name (like MD, PhD, etc.) But I have to remind myself that God uses the least likely people to communicate at times and I am just overwhelmed that He is using me (when I step out of the way).
I do covet your prayers as I dig in deep to the “heart” of the book. All the necessary chapters defining the problem, the statistics and such have been written and now it’s the “bring it” time…
Thanks for staying tuned!
FREE STUFF FROM ERIC BRYANT AT HIS WEBSITE!
Hey everyone - my friend Eric, author of Peppermint Filled Pinatas (another great book published by Zondervan) has some awesome stuff he’s making available as Christmas presents!
**AUDIO MESSAGE
As an early Christmas present, Eric wanted to give away a free download of a message he shared in Zurich called “Raising Up Leaders (and Avoiding Burnout).”
Be sure to sign up for his free email newsletter (top right on his webpage) for your chance to win in December!
**GIFT FROM ZONDERVAN
Our friends at Zondervan wanted me to make sure you knew they are offering Peppermint Filled Pinatas at a discounted rate to help you buy copies for your family, friends, those in your small group, your ministry leaders at church, and/or your neighbors.
Find out how to BUY 8 AND GET 1 FREE at the BRYANT BLOG!
Happy Holidays!
I thought I’d share some good news with you guys before the holidays!
As you know, Mad Church Disease will be released in February 2009.
I haven’t publicly (via blog) announced WHO the publisher is…
Why not today?
I am officially a Zondervan author! Woot!
I am also VERY grateful for my agent Beth Jusino from Alive Communications. Without Beth’s knowledge of the industry, her passion for young writers and fresh ideas, and her willingness to hand-hold a rookie author, I would probably be neck-deep in things I don’t understand.
Those are a few things for which I am very thankful!!
What are you thankful for?
