In a letter to board members, nrb president jerry johnson said waterbrook multnomah employees worked on the convergent book, noting that stephen cobb is chief publishing executive for. Jun 03, 2014 convergent books, vines publisher, has recently come under fire for daring to publish his book. Acknowledgments with special thanks to my editor, karen ball, for her belief in this book, and her. Here at the waterbrook multnomah publishing group, we measure the success of our books by whether or not they deliver real lifechange to our readers. If youre not super familiar with how publishing houses work, an imprint is essentially a marketing method. Waterbrook press and multnomah books are sister imprints of convergent books, within the crown group, as is image books, a catholicinterest imprint, all four of which i oversee. A shameful day in evangelical christian publishing. Cobb oversees convergent and catholic imprint image as well as the waterbrook press and multnomah books imprints, whose books are more commonly carried by cba member stores.
Cobb, president and publisher of crowns christian imprints. We seek timeless messages from trusted christian voices that challenge readers to approach life from a biblical perspective. Cobb, who oversees the waterbrook multnomah and convergent publishing imprints, told baptist press news that convergent focuses on readers who are actively exploring and practicing. Christian publisher forced to resign from nrb after releasing. A collection devoted to prayer by multnomah publishers inc.
Cobb, president and publisher of crowns christian imprints for the past 11. The christian retailing article affirmed that the imprint would be based in colorado springs like waterbrook press and multnomah books and would be headed by stephen w. With the acquisition of multnomah books in 2006, a multnomah imprint was added to cobb s portfolio. He defended the decision for convergent to release the book. Apr 17, 2014 the book is being published by convergent books, which is part of a publishing conglomerate that includes the muchrespected evangelical publishing group waterbrook multnomah also sharing some of the same staff. Cobb, chief publishing executive for waterbrook press, multnomah books, convergent books and image books, told the christian post in an email thursday. We seek timeless messages from trusted christian voices that challenge readers to. Cobb stated, were extremely proud of janes accomplishments.
Cobb acknowledged that god and the gay christian contradicts the teachings of waterbrook multnomah books published in the past. Multnomah books attacked over progay title in related. Publisher of controversial book resigns from christian. Waterbrook and multnomah are two imprints of penguin random house. Not only that, but the talking heads have gone after waterbrookmultnomah, too because. Progay book, publisher face more criticism biblical.
Convergent books and the evangelical imprimatur samantha field. National religious broadcasters, a major international network of christian communicators, forced waterbrook multnomah to resign from the organization. Cobb, president and publisher of convergent, also oversees waterbrook multnomah publishing group, home to christian imprints waterbrook press and multnomah books, and image books. She is an exceptional writer who is able to capture the stories of reallife. Because of this, much of the public anger and outrage about the book is being leveled not at convergent, but at cobb. Convergent was launched in december 2012 as a new kind of faithbased imprint whose titles were expected to lead to an open, inclusive and culturally engaged. Retailing article affirmed that the imprint would be based in colorado springs like waterbrook press and multnomah books and would be headed by stephen w. Cobb, is vigorously defending his choice to publish the book. The book and its author, matthew vines, drew quick criticism from conservative christians, including albert mohler, president of southern baptist theological seminary, who described it as an attempt to overthrow two millennia of. Publisher of progay christian book severs ties with christian media group.
Cobb president waterbrook multnomah publishing group to those who hurt and hunger. Cobb, president and publisher of crowns christian imprints for the past 11 years. Waterbrook publishes books of interest to the evangelical community, including fiction such as historical. Waterbrook multnomah publishers join group the waterbrook multnomah publishing group, the evangelical division of random house books, inc. Cobb, who oversees the waterbrook multnomah and convergent publishing imprints, told baptist press news that convergent focuses on readers who are actively exploring and. Random house is the parent company of waterbrook multnomah publishing group, comprising waterbrook press and multnomah books.
Convergent chief publishing executive stephen cobb responded to criticism in a statement april 16. The decision to publish the book has brought down the ire of religious right activist and antigay obsessive matt barber. Cobb and waterbrook multnomah convergent publishers should be ashamed of themselves for publishing book titled, god and the homosexual christian. The imprint will be based in colorado springs, colo. We seek messages that draw on the bible, experiential learning, story, practical guidance, and inspiration to help readers thrive in their faith. Multnomah publishes christian books that proclaim the gospel and equip followers of jesus to make disciples. Why does the evangelical community take book jacket design so. Crown launching new religion imprint publishers weekly. To his credit, the head of waterbrook multnomah, stephen w. Cobb, chief publishing executive for waterbrook press, multnomah books, convergent books and image books. Cobb was one of the imprints founding executives in 1996, and over the past decade has helped guide its growth and rise to prominence in the christian book publishing world.
Waterbrook multnomah president and publisher stephen w. Cobb, founder and publisher of waterbrook multnomah and a respected name in evangelical publishing. A shameful day in evangelical christian publishing ask. May 17, 2014 to his credit, the head of waterbrook multnomah, stephen w. Apr 17, 2014 random house is the parent company of waterbrook multnomah publishing group, comprising waterbrook press and multnomah books. Convergent books and the evangelical imprimatur samantha. Jeffrey s final book, one nation, under attack, originally planned to go onsale january 15, 20. Publisher of progay christian book severs ties with. Waterbrook publishes christian books that seek to intensify and satisfy a readers elemental thirst for a deeper relationship with god. Apr 25, 2020 random house is the parent company of waterbrook multnomah publishing group, comprising waterbrook press and multnomah books. Cobb, president and publisher of convergent, also oversees waterbrook multnomah publishing group, home to christian imprints waterbrook press and multnomah books, and image. With the acquisition of multnomah books in 2006, a multnomah imprint was added to cobb. Because of the economic times we re living in and the urgency of grant s message, we felt it was imperative to release his book as early as.
Cobb, who heads up both waterbrook multnomah and convergent from the publishing groups colorado springs offices, said convergents audience is actively exploring and. Publisher of controversial book resigns from christian media. Jul 15, 2014 in a letter to board members, nrb president jerry johnson said waterbrook multnomah employees worked on the convergent book, noting that stephen cobb is chief publishing executive for both groups. Cobb, who heads up both waterbrook multnomah and convergent from the publishing groups colorado springs offices, said convergents audience is actively exploring and practicing faith. A shameful day in evangelical christian publishing ask dr. Since the release of our first books in 1998, our publishing program has grown dramatically through the expansion of waterbrook as well as. We aspire to produce books that challenge you to grow and to persevere, and that draw you closer to god. Waterbrook publishes books of interest to the evangelical community, including fiction such as historical romances, fantasy, and supernatural suspense. To his knowledge, he said, vines book will be the first published by the four imprints he oversees that arrives at the conclusion that a person can practice homosexuality with the acceptance and approval of god. Not only that, but the talking heads have gone after waterbrookmultnomah, too because convergent is a sister imprint. Barber is upset that vines god and the gay christian will be published by convergent books, which he claims is a front for the evangelical publisher waterbrook multnomah. Why does the evangelical community take book jacket design. Apr 17, 2014 the convergent imprint, based in colorado springs, colo. Apr 16, 2014 random house is the parent company of waterbrook multnomah publishing group, comprising waterbrook press and multnomah books.
Books for the journey a monthly email newsletter highlighting new and bestselling nonfiction christian books from todays top christian voices like jennie allen, randy alcorn, liz curtis higgs, tim. Several authors of my acquaintance have published successfully with waterbrookmultnomah thus my interest in this article. Cobb who heads up all christian publishing for these publishing entities. Millions of products all with free shipping worldwide. Christian publisher calls conservative criticism over. Waterbrook was launched in september 1996 as an autonomous publishing imprint of doubleday with the intent to publish books for christians. Christian publisher sells soul for mammon theblaze. This will prevent waterbrook multnomah from sending you messages, friend request or from viewing your profile. Convergent books and its parent company, waterbrook multnomah.
One of waterbrook multnomahs imprints, convergent books, released god and the gay christian. Christian publisher forced to resign from nrb after. Waterbrook multnomah will bring together two highly complementary publishing programs under the leadership of steve cobb, president and publisher, waterbrook press. Progay book, publisher face more criticism biblical recorder. Waterbrook multnomah a weekly email newsletter listing ebook deals, special promotions, and updates on new releases and book related events. Waterbrook press and multnomah books are sister imprints of convergent books, within the crown. The book is being published by convergent books, which is part of a publishing conglomerate that includes the muchrespected evangelical publishing group waterbrook multnomah also sharing some of the same staff. Cobb, who has been president and publisher of the waterbrook imprint since 2001. Waterbrook multnomah publishers waterbrook colorado. But it is a sad and shameful day when a major christian publisher releases such a book and claims that it is a solid evangelical. A shameful day in evangelical christian publishing charisma. Because of this, much of the public anger and outrage about the book is being leveled not at convergent, but at cobb and waterbrook, including the expulsion of that publisher from nrb.