Monkey and the Fish | Book Review

Have you ever read the bible and had thoughts, notions, and hunches about how you should live a life of love towards others, but had no idea how to do it? Are you concerned with the formulaic way of the church and you are more interested in an organic spiritual awakening in peoples lives? Maybe you are a leader or minster and you wonder how you can lead your local church to love like Jesus?" Do you feel that you are chasing ministry trends, and you would rather be listening and responding to the spirit of God?

If you answer yes to any or all of the questions above, then you have to read Monkey and the Fish by Dave Gibbons. This book talks about how our life as followers of Jesus should be about 3rd Culture or painful adaptation. Dave defines 3rd Culture as the mindset and will to love, learn, and serve in any culture even in the midst of pain and discomfort. Three questions that come from the book that will guide my ministry for the rest of my life are...

1. Where is Nazareth? Who are the people on the margins of life? Who are the outsiders? Who are suffering the most? Instead of looking for the leaders who can offer the most to our churches/movements/organizations/own kingdoms, Gibbons teaches us to look for who are the most in need. It is the model of Jesus. It is how God operates. God's power is most perfected in weakness. 
2. What is my pain? Instead of always looking for our own spiritual gifts/talents/resources, Gibbons encourages us to identify with our greatest pain. It is through our pain that the world can relate. It is our pain that shows the power of Jesus. 
3. What is in my hand? What has God given me? Use that. Stop focusing on what we do not have or comparing ourselves to some myth. Stop trying to become something we are not.

This is the first book I've read in a long time that have given me new eyes on leadership and the life of a Christian and it is simple in nature. It has awakened a fresh perspective on leadership in my mind and a hope for a more kingdom minded church in my soul.

Monkey and the Fish is not just a book I like, it is a book that will guide me and my church plant for many years to come. I have already bought five copies to give to the leaders of Exile City. Thank you Dave for this work!