For sometime now, the Lord has been dealing with me about the possibility of a publishing company which specifically fills the gap Southern Baptists lost since Lifeway's never-to-turn-back decision to cater to a broad, fuzzy evangelical constituency rather than remaining boldly biblical, boldly Baptist. So far as "denominational" publishing is concerned, Southern Baptists own and operate no such industry>>>
With that conviction in mind, no longer am I sitting idly by while the heritage of Baptists--particularly the heritage of the Southern Baptist Convention--is swallowed up into a huge pot of quasi-evangelical soup. Therefore, Free Church Press is no longer an idea in my mind; it's a reality whose time has come.
Questions about this new chapter in my life remain unanswered presently. Will the publishing company succeed? Are there enough like-minded Baptists in this anti-denominational culture who see what I see and desire what I desire? Are there any exceptional authors who've been turned away from other publishers because their work was "too Baptist" or "too traditional" or "not hip" who would consider giving a start-up publisher like Free Church Press consideration? Will I go bankrupt? Is it possible in an economy like ours to actually make it in a competitive publishing industry? Will I be able to continue writing, editing, and speaking or will this project swallow me whole?
These questions are but the tiny tip of the proverbial iceberg when it comes to what's going on in my mind and heart. Nonetheless, I am committed to entering the door I believe the Lord has placed before me. By His grace, He'll direct me through the journey ahead.
With that, I am...
Peter
P.S. Free Church Press has actually been in existence for over a year but due to some health issues my wife experienced, I've had to place it into the back corner of my priorities. FCP has an interim site (click here or click the button on the sidebar at the top of the page). Not only so, FCP publsihed its first volume in December, 2010. I'm posting a review soon
Peter
May the Lord bless you in this endeavor. I walked into a Lifeway store last week and I saw some books from T.D. Jakes for sale. My heart died a little.
Posted by: Robin Foster | 2011.02.08 at 05:16 PM
Looking forward to the works published @ FCP.
Posted by: Chris Gilliam | 2011.02.08 at 05:34 PM
Peter,
I pray the Lord's richest blessings as you follow your heart and dreams into this new chapter of your life. <><
Posted by: Ron Hale | 2011.02.08 at 10:41 PM
Love it Brother! May the Lord bless.
Posted by: darryl brunson | 2011.02.09 at 09:35 AM
Robin,
I've never seen a T.D. Jakes book at LifeWay, but I'd probably die a little, too, if I saw one!
Posted by: Ed Goodman | 2011.02.09 at 11:28 AM
Congratulations, Peter. Praying success and great words to flow from FCP. May you be blessed as your ministry grows.
Just purchased the first book you've published. Am excited to read it and review it. selahV
Posted by: selahV | 2011.02.09 at 01:48 PM
I also purchased "A Gentle Zephyr - A Mighty Wind" by J. Gerald Harris, Free Church Press.
Good job on printing the book. Very good book, great illustrations.
David R. Brumbelow
Posted by: David R. Brumbelow | 2011.02.09 at 04:39 PM
I saw not only saw a T.D.Jakes book in lifewy but it was in the Reccomended reading section.
Posted by: aaron arledge | 2011.02.10 at 02:13 PM
May the Lord bless you in this endeavor Peter.
I would suggest you look at publishing in eBook formats as well. The eBook market is taking off and the two main retailers Barnes & Noble and Amazon have made it relatively easy to publish and sell via their sites. Or you can convert and sell directly from your site as well.
I own a nook and NOOKColor and have only purchased eBooks in the last 14 months.
PubIt from B&N llnk: http://pubit.barnesandnoble.com/pubit_app/bn?t=pi_reg_home
Amazon's link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/seller-account/mm-summary-page.html?ie=UTF8&ld=AZFooterSelfPublish&topic=200260520
Posted by: Steve Allem | 2011.02.10 at 04:43 PM
All,
Thanks for the encouragement. And, thanks for the heads-up, Steve. I plan to eventually make the books available digital format. I wish I had the capital to put into tangible form all the ideas I've gathered, but alas, a few at a time as you understand, I'm sure.
Grace to all.
With that, I am...
Peter
Posted by: peter | 2011.02.10 at 05:03 PM