Big Is The New Small

Great video of Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy interviewing Seth Godin.  Seth shares some brilliant thoughts on writing, leadership and what success isn’t.

My favorite thought in this interview is, “Having to say intelligent things about what you notice in the world makes you smarter.”  What is your favorite thought from this video?

What is Influence? by definition Influence is – A power affecting a person, thing, or course of events, especially one that operates without any direct or apparent effort. Over the years and especially in recent months, God has provided me with some awesome opportunities to wield influence for The Kingdom.

One of the things that I have had the opportunity to do over the last several months is to connect at a greater level with the Assemblies of God. In these few months I have been in meetings with the top leadership of this Fellowship and I’ve been impressed with what they are doing to resource not only those in the AG but also to the greater Evangelical world.

I’d like to say thanks to the many people who took advantage of the New Leaf Publishing Group offer of Church Diversity: Sunday The Most Segregated Day Of The Week for only $4.99 for 72 hours. This promo went out to those of you who are a part of the BigIsTheNewSmall.com and ChurchDiversity.com communities.  Because of it’s popularity, they have extended the offer for 2 weeks, I’m assuming that was from Monday, July 18th.

Church Diversity will be available for purchase in Kindle, Nook, iBook, Sony Reader or PDF formats for only $4.99 from nlpg.com. Purchasers can also request a complimentary copy be sent to their pastor.  That’s right, from now til’ August 1st, you and your friends can purchase a digital copy of Church Diversity for only $4.99 (right here) and a complimentary copy be sent to your pastor.  That’s like a double deal.

For those of you that have already dove in and began reading Church Diversity, all you have to do is Tweet, Google+ or Facebook post your favorite quote and you will be entered to win 10 Copies of Church Diversity for your staff, friends, small group or whomever you want to give them to.

If you have not picked up a copy, simply buy one or download a free sample chapter and share your favorite quote from the book. Please use the #ChurchDiversity hashtag when you share your quote and leave a comment below letting me know that you shared your quote.  The comment section is how the winner will be randomly selected. You can share one quote and one comment between now and Sunday (3 total for a better chance of winning).  Winner will be announced on Monday, July 25.

Remember it’s as easy as 1-2-3

• 1. Tweet or Share quote from book.
• 2. Leave comment below stating that you did so. (up to 3)
• 3. Check back on Monday to see if you won.

#FistBump & Thanks for your support…  We are just getting started!

First of all I want to thank everyone who has supported the Church Diversity movement by either purchasing a copy of the book or sharing the message in their sphere of influence.  As I travel around the country and share the message I’m constantly amazed at how ready the Body of Christ is to receive the message.  There are churches that are taking their entire congregation through the book, small groups and individuals just like you and I that desire to see a little “Heaven on Earth.”

Again, the message is being very well received and I simply want to say, “Thank You.”  My publishing New Leaf Publishing Group is offering Church Diversity: Sunday The Most Segregated Day Of The Week for only $4.99 for 72 hours.  This promo is going out to those of you who are a part of the BigIsTheNewSmall.com and ChurchDiversity.com communities.

Church Diversity will be available for purchase in Kindle, Nook, iBook, Sony Reader or PDF formats for only $4.99 from nlpg.com. Purchasers can also request a complimentary copy be sent to their pastor.  That’s right for the next 72 hours you and your friends can purchase a digital copy of Church Diversity for only $4.99 (right here) and a complimentary copy be sent to your pastor.  That’s like a double deal.

Thanks again for your support, please share this within your social media circles.  Did I just type circles?  Must be thinking about Google+, just when I thought Facebook and Twitter were enough.

#FistBump & Thanks for your support…  We are just getting started!

Perspectives: John Ortberg and Scott Williams from Monvee Video on Vimeo.

It was great to sit down with one of the great authors and ministry leaders John Ortberg.  John asked me some candid questions about the state of the church and the state of Church Diversity.  I have always appreciated his wisdom, leadership, writing & influence from afar…  It was an honor to sit down and hear his heart and field a few questions.

Share your thoughts about anything we discussed in the interview, or feel free to share ask any additional questions that you may have.

It’s amazing how quickly Twitter has evolved into a household name.  Twitter’s purpose and application is even understood by those who are not Twitter users at all.  In other-words, everyone knows something about Twitter, because it’s everywhere.

I have talked to guys who are high level leaders in their organization and they told me that their company is, “now using the social media stuff and even set up a Twetter.” Yes he said “Tweeter” and he was excited that they would be able to become more connected to customers and potential customers.  You don’t have to be a Twitter aficionado to know that it’s a powerful information and connection tool.

Everyone leverages Twitter in different manners and it’s kind of “to each is own” type of deal.  Some businesses use it for advertisement, some people use it simply to find information, others use it to stalk people (in a good way), some news anchors use it at the end of their news casts to stay connected, celebrities use it as an extension to connect with fans and the list goes on and on.

I’m not sure if this is a trend; however I think you could see more authors using their Twitter handles as their author name on the cover of their books.  Especially if their Twitter name is their real name.  For several years I have been advocating the Reasons You Should Use Your Real Name As Your Twitter Name. Although there are hundreds of other Scott Williams in the Twittershphere, I have had @ScottWilliams since Twitter launched in 2007 and it has made it relatively simple to use it as part of my personal brand.

I am releasing a book week and I chose to use my Twitter handle @ScottWilliams on the cover as my author name (you can see in the above pic).  Due to the fact that it’s my real name, there is no potential for a negative effect, only potential for natural connection with readers via Twitter.  Even if someone doesn’t purchase the book, they at-least might remember the Twitter handle because of the uniqueness.

I know a couple of ladies who wrote a book titled @StickyJesus in which they used their Twitter handles as their author names.  Authors @TamiHeim and @ToniBirdsong uniquely blend biblical truth and social media know-how with inspirational true stories of people engaging, connecting, and changing the world for Christ through social networks.

Again, I’m not saying that this is going to be a trend, I’m simply saying that having your real name or a version of your real name as your Twitter handle allows for flexibility, visibility and potential.

Have you seen any authors who have used their Twitter handle as their author name?  Do you think it could be a trend for authors and recording artists?

I’m not sure it’s the BIGGEST Book Blog Tour on the Planet, however it does make for a good blog title.  I’m happy to announce, the release of my book Church Diversity - Sunday The Most Segregated Day Of The Week is rapidly approaching.  The scheduled release date is April 19th.  We already have a list of some amazing bloggers lined up for the blog tour, but I decided to open it up to other bloggers, readers and friends of BigIsTheNewSmall.com.

The blog tour is scheduled for only be 2 days April 19th & 20th.  For those of you who would like to participate in the blog tour, receive a sample chapter to review and ultimately a copy of the book, you can sign up right here. It’s a simple name and email address form that you need to complete.  Once you complete the form, my publicist will be getting touch with you and provide the details.  There will be many, many, many bloggers participating and I’d love for you to be a part.  To be eligible, I also need you to leave a comment below stating that “you’re in” along with your name and blog information.

If you have not had a chance to check out ChurchDiversity.com, please do so here.

dream BIG. think BIGGER.

Church Diversity Book Trailer #2. Sunday The Most Segregated Day of The Week.

I’m wanting to compile this list of the top books for Christian Leaders to read in 2011.  It is understood that the Bible should always be the #1 book.  What I’d like to compile is a list thought leader, leadership and inspirational books that Christian Leaders need to read in 2011.   Recently published books are encouraged and oldies but goodies are welcome. We can update this list as the year goes on.

Please understand that “secular” leadership and business books are part of this list.  Seth Godin books are always great reads and are highly recommended by me.

The process is process is simple.  Simply leave a comment with the Author or Authors name and the Book Title. Feel free to share multiple books to the list.  Not required, but feel free to leave any brief commentary about the books that you or others share.

Ready, Set, Go!

Last night I completed my book… Done!  Done is a great feeling.

Thanks for the prayers, encouragement and commitment to pick up a copy when it lands in a bookstore or digital device near you.  Of course done with writing, equates to the beginning of all of the fun stuff with publishing, marketing and getting the word out.

My prayer is that this book will be a tool to help foster the necessary conversations and begin changing the fact that Sunday is The Most Segregated Day Of The Week.

The only feeling that’s as good as being done, is the feeling of just getting started.  Today, I’m experiencing both.

What are you in the process of completing or just getting started?

dream BIG. think BIGGER.