Ministry Monday: Work With Publishing Companies Not Against

Over the last 2 weeks I have communicated with 3 different publishing companies. Standard Publishing and I had a 4 hour focus group on the future of Children's Ministry curriculum, resources, and products. Group Publishing (i.e. Keith Johnson) and I talk on a frequent basis about the state of ministry but more importantly how to train and equip volunteers. Lastly, The Rethink Group and I are talking about the Orange Conference.

Of course in the past I have worked with Lifeway Christian Resources to create, produce, and publish G-Force, a curriculum for Children's Ministry. This was my first real interaction with a publishing house and I didn't poke any of my eyes out.

Why do I tell you this? Because I think that to many ministers out there are afraid of or for some reason resent publishing companies. Publishing companies are not the big bad monsters that tell you what to do and believe. In fact, if you ever have the opportunity to sit down with them then do so quickly. They are giving you an ear and listening to your voice. Believe it or not, they want to hear what you have to say. They want to meet your need for creativity and let you meet the need of your people.

Now if you come across a company that just wants to sell you stuff and not listen to you then look somewhere else. If you are a company that doesn't want to listen then I hope you lose a lot of business. So publishing companies please listen, and ministers please start talking. In the end, we can only have better ways of reaching people for Christ.