I just finished an interesting book called, Print is Dead. I thought is was amusing that the author had his ideas published in book form? However after reading the book it was clear that the title is meant to get your attention and really doesn't conclude that print is dead. There are numerous voices debating the end to print and publishing as we know it. As a publisher this question has my attention not only because of the impact it has on our business but the impact on reaching people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If print is dead then how do Christians in the 21st century share the truth of God's word with the world? The ideas from this book challenged my thinking in several ways: 1. Publishing is about message not medium . If I am consumed by the way the message of an author is packaged then I forget the real purpose for why I do what I do. It is about the idea, the message the concept. Content is King not the package. 2. We live in a physical and virtual world . I have a computer, PDA's, and books in my bookshelf at home. There is no conflict the world is connected to two realities. So my books and my computer text are seamless. These worlds are not mutually exclusive they are complimentary. 3. Ideas must be right sized . These days messages must be adjusted to fit the medium. Reading a full length book on Kindle, or another electronic platform is still a challenge. But some books, and of course the bible still feel better in my hands. What do you think? Is Print dead?

If publishing is going to change we need some pioneers! Some who are not afraid to break out of the old models and try something that starts with mission, ministry and the glory of God! If you have never checked out byfor.org please do so! My hat is off to this group for having the courage to step out from behind the business driven publishing mindset and to take a fresh new approach to providing resources to the Body of Christ! Some will ask is it profitable? Others will laugh and say this is idealistic and simplistic. But there is something that challenges me personally about this model of business. Somehow ministry and business must align in a new way for the publishing industry. Notice the philosophy that drives this site. By/For challenges artists to create sacred art for the church by the church! The same needs to happen in the print publishing world. Shouldn't all the content of a writer be created for the church by the church? Read over their mission and their goals. Here is what stands out to me. 1. Reconnecting the arts to the local church and the power of art in the community of faith. 2. Artists are supported by the church and art enhances the worship of God. 3. Removing the profit motive and freely giving art as a gift to the body of Christ. 4. Sharing and collaborating on content within the faith community. 5. Using technology, internet etc. to cross borders connects the body of Christ and expands the Kingdom. Byfor.org you are challenging NavPress with your courage and leadership!

I just saw an incredible example of the power of technology to enhance communication. Cisco has come up with a solution they call TelePresence. It is the use of 3D holographic projection. Sound interesting? Perhaps for the publishing world this could be a revolutionary way to connect text and image that could enhance the delivery of content from authors to the consumer in multiple settings? Can you imagine if you could purchase your bible study resource and attend a TelePresence bible study? The study could meet in multiple locations using this technology virtually anywhere! Talk about the ultimate virtual spiritual experience! Harnessing this technology for missions could also be an incredible tool for meeting and discussing world mission needs. Groups could use the tool for setting strategies and conducting meetings from remote locations. Well I could go on and on. 3D holographic technology for the Kingdom! Sign me up! What are your thoughts about this?

Where were you in 1993? How old were you when the internet began? Do you remember when you bought your first computer? Do you remember using dial up as your method for connecting to the internet? How has your life and your business changed since the coming of the internet? After reading a recent article in Wired magazine I began to reflect on how rapidly life and business have changed since that fateful year. Take the time to carefully read and review the chart that is attached to this blog. Frankly I cannot imagine how I was able to do my work in the years prior to 1993. The speed of change and the advancement in technologies is mind numbing but I would not want it any other way. For the business of publishing the blessings of technology have also become the killer app. As a publisher I must recognize that everyone is now a creator/writer, editor/producer and publisher/distributor. So how should I handle this new World? 1. Embrace change as a friend not an enemy. 2. Accept the speed of change in the 21st century 3. Determine to use technology as a tool for good not evil. 4. Enjoy the simplicity of life and the joy of walking with God that never changes.

A year or so ago I discovered a very special little book by John Kotter called, Our Iceberg is Melting. Check out the introduction to the book by John Kotter.

Publishers cannot seem to accept the fact that the Iceberg is melting there are all kinds of opinions on the subject. Some say that the industry has always had challenges and the current troubles can be overcome. Others believe that anyone who criticizes the current Christian publishing model either lacks understanding or is uninformed.

However, if you read Kotter’s little fable, with Christian publishing in mind. I believe that you will see that the Christian Publishing “Iceberg” IS melting! It might take some time but the iceberg is shrinking slowing year by year. Kotter’s book is a great book to use to discuss the future of publishing and where things are really headed.

At NavPress we have recognized that the Iceberg is melting and we are taking steps to change with the times in order to continue to provide quality resources for individuals, ministries and churches.

          At the core of everyone’s life is a need to be loved and have a feeling of significance.  For NavPress our values help us focus on the individual significance of each person and their value in the eyes of God. In fact one of our Navigator core values challenges us as an organization to have a “passion to know, love, and become like Christ.”

            This is one of our core objectives in the resources we produce. When someone picks up one of our books or bible studies our prayer and desire is that the resource will help someone to grow in their passion to know, love and become like Christ.

            I received a call from a long time friend today he was reading a book published by NavPress. He wanted to call just to let me know how God was using the book to help him refocus on his spiritual disciplines.

            A Passion to know, love and become like Christ is one of our primary values at NavPress.

Recently my friend Mike Hyatt published Nelsons version of the top 10 Christian Publishers list.   © 2008, Michael S. Hyatt. Used by Permission. Originally posted at www.michaelhyatt.com. He explains the process used to determine who makes the cut and who does not. He mentions that NavPress fell off the top 10 list. As I was reflecting on his post I started thinking that this is a great opportunity to raise the question that perhaps it is time to begin another top 10 list of Christian publishers. I certainly want to congradulate all those who made the cut. However there are others who did not and probably will never make the list who are doing significant work in the the Christian Publishing world. It is interesting to me that though NavPress did not make the cut we are more profitable today than when we appeared on the list a year ago or so! So perhaps there should be another top ten list of Christian Publishers who focus on mission first and spiritual profitability. NavPress as I have discussed before is about accomplishing our calling. We are a mission based publisher seeking to achieve our God given assignment. Frankly we may never again make the cut on Mr. Hyatt's list. How about a top ten list of Christian Publishers who focus on the following criteria for success. 1. Mission drives business. 2. Products produce Kingdom results 3. Contributions are placed back into kingdom work. 4. Financial accountability and ethics in all aspects of the business enterprise. These would be what I would place on a balanced scorecard for Christian publishing and perhaps some others in order to measure the true effectiveness of a Christian Publishing enterprise.

Sometimes in the publishing world we forget the real purpose for which we exist. As business leaders we think about the bottom line and the margins we must maintain. There are rising costs to battle and problems to be solved. But what is publishing really all about? Why is NavPress in business? What is it that we are to be focusing our energies on in our enterprise? I have thought about these things for a long time. I had a brief period when I was not involved in the publishing business and as I have come back to lead NavPress I have come to some conclusions that drive my philosophy of publishing. 1. Publishing is sharing a message with others. When an author comes to NavPress we must consider the work as a special message God has placed on their heart for the Body of Christ. We are entering into an agreement to assist in the process of sharing the message with those who will read it. Publishing is not about the product but the Message! 2. Publishing is partnering with a message bearer. After agreeing to share in the process of producing and sharing the message of an author, NavPress seeks to partner with the author in order to increase the opportunity to share the message. Partnerships are a powerful part of a successful publishing process. 3. Publishing is distribution. NavPress exists to distribute spiritual messages that have been entrusted to our care. This is a big responsiblity and one that I do not take lightly as Executive Publisher. As I thumb through our catalog I cannot help but think of the many messages that have been placed in our care. What an awesome priviledge to be spiritual distributors! Of course, distribution of these messages can be in many different forms of media. Distribution of these messages can come in many forms, books, magazines, articles, bible studies, or in electronic forms. Publishing is not about books alone!

Just reviewed the following article on the future of libraries and the printed book. It seems to me as a publisher of printed books that there will be a growing coexistence between printed books and electronic books. The physical attachment we feel to the printed book will most likely always be with us. I cannot imagine a world without printed books or libraries. Perhaps it will be the connecting of the virtual and physical worlds of books and libraries? However, the future of the printed book and their storage in libraries is an interesting question?

Often people asked me is your work at NavPress ministry or business? My answer is yes! For those of us who serve at NavPress are living in both worlds. Ministry drives the reason for our existence to accomplish our calling. But additionally we are stewards of resources that we use to conduct business in a God honoring way that provides resources for the work of the Navigators. One of the great parables tells the story of a unrighteous steward Luke 16: 1- 12 who acted in a shrewed manner in regard to his masters debtors. You will need to read it and meditate on it. Check out what is recorded in vs. 8 -9, " And his master praised the unrighteous steward because he had acted shrewdly; for the sons of this age are more shrewed in relation to their own kind than the sons of light. And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by means of the mammon of unrighteousness, that when it fails, they may receive you into the eternal dwellings." NASB So we can learn from the actions of the unrighteous steward. My work is to serve and minister through the work of NavPress. Using the principles of God's word to guide the work of the organization and yet learning from the best of business practices that are compatible with the scriptures. I have served as a local church pastor and a business man but the reality is that ministry and business are complimentary. NavPress is a ministry business providing life changing resources to the body of Christ and financial resources to the Navigators world wide ministry.