To name, or not to name?

We're having an ongoing discussion at TGBC at the moment about whether (and how prominently) to put authors' names on the front of our books.

Not to name

We'd love people to use and be encouraged by our stuff because it's Bible-centred, relevant, and readable: not because it's written by a particular “big name” in the evangelical Christian world. It's Bible-centredness that we want to be known for—and if it's Bible-centred, does it matter if it's written by someone working in a church of 30 (or not working in a church at all), rather than a pastor of a church of thousands? We don't want to be part of any system that unhelpfully puts Christian leaders on a pedestal.

To name:

On the other hand, we're working with increasingly “big names”, such as Tim Chester, Christopher Ash and so on in the UK, and Tim Keller, Thabiti Anyabwile and others in the US. And perhaps those “names” establish some credibility and trustworthiness for the readers who have never heard of us before.

Help?

We'd love to get your views on this! Does knowing the author encourage you to buy a book or study? Does seeing TGBC on the front help you more than knowing who wrote it? Would you like to see us name authors, or to not name them? To name “names” prominently, in the hope that our output will reach and hopefully benefit as many as possible, or to let the resources sell themselves? All wisdom welcome!

Church community: Real or Facebook?

Really sad story in the papers today, about a young woman who announced in her Facebook “status update” that she'd overdosed on pills and would soon die.

Many ignored her - some poked fun online - no-one went to help her, and she died.

In some ways, it's a kind of Good Samaritan story for the technological age - she was dying by the roadside, and people just cyber-walked by. But, sadly, there was no Good Samaritan in this real-life tragedy.

It got me to thinking (a bit, it was quite late). My first thought was: thank goodness our church community isn't like Facebook! In church, we bear one another's burdens; we take one another seriously; we care enough to ask others how they are and listen to the answer; we put ourselves out to love one another sacrificially.

This kind of thing just wouldn't happen in church. Phew!

REALLY?

But then I though: Is that actually true? Is my church really like that? And am I a church member who does look out for others; who does take an interest in others and put myself out for them?

Would I notice if someone wasn't there, and follow it up? Would others know they could ring my phone or my doorbell at any time they needed to?

Worryingly, I'm really not sure.

“As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13 v 34-35)

Firm Your Resolve

Here are five ideas to make your New Year's Resolutions more 'Biblely' and less 'self-helpy'.

1. Choose them wisely: Instead of aiming for healthier, happier or lighter, why not choose one aspect of the character of our Lord Jesus to aim to grow into, and think through how that will actually happen (eg compassionate, humble, hospitable)

2. Pick a theme: Make a long list of things you are frustrated with, and try to find a single word that sums them up. Make this your theme word for the year. It might be Grace, or Hope, or Loved or Forgiven - but it should make a conscious connection with your relationship with Christ to be the motivation for the way you want to change, rather than just "improving yourself".

3. Turn them into questions: Sometimes we feel afraid to ask simple, fundamental questions. So instead of a practical goal, choose a question to follow: What does it mean for me to follow Jesus in particular? What is the most essential thing in the Christian life? What makes me tick spiritually? You may not find an answer to your question, but pursuing it as you read God's Word and talk to others will be an enriching and deepening experience.

4. Make them communal: God has called us into community, to bear one another's burdens, so don't make resolutions private. Share them with friends, your bible study group, and even others who may not be Christian. Ask them to encourage and help you with them, and seek progress reports from you.

5. Make your year an experiment: The Bible urges us to "taste and see that the Lord is good" - to prove by our experience that it is a wonderful thing to have the Living God as your God. So why not pick an area of Christian life to be your experimental proving ground for the year: you might choose to make it the year of Living as a sacrificial Christ-like husband, or The year of being a person of integrity, or The year of accepting all things as good gifts from our Father. Whatever you choose - make it part of the way you read the Bible, and something you pray for regularly.

The New Year Goblin

Let's start a new "tradition" for new year! We have Santa who leaves presents, a tooth fairy that exchanges worn out molars for money and an Easter Bunny that dispenses chocolate for no good reason - why not a Resolution Goblin that sneaks into your room on New Year's Eve and leaves suggestions for how you can improve yourself in the coming year?

We tried this out in our family last night - writing things on slips and sneaking off to, ahem, give them to the Goblin, who duly settled them under the relevant pillows. Of course, no-one could wait til the morning, so we had a great time reading out the suggestions and guessing who they came from.

If all goes according to plan, I'll be 2 stone lighter, more generous to my children, actually finish some of the writing projects I start or dream about, be fantastically wealthy and have cleaned out both the shed and the under-stairs cupboard. Of course, this will all be achievable when my three daughters magically transform into homework doing, tidy, respectful, vivacious and delightful human beings, who never, ever, ever throw temper tantrums. Check back next January for an update on this miracle transformation...

So here's a thought to start your new year. What would your friendly "Goblin" suggest to your pastor; and what would his Goblin leave under your pillow? Answers below please...