The Monkey and the Fish: Liquid Leadership for a Third-Culture Church

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. 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 o