Matt Bird is the founder of PublishU, helping first-time and serial authors write, publish and market books worldwide.
Welcome to this edition of the PublishU Magazine featuring Rick Paynter and his thoughtful new book, More Than Just Church.
One of the greatest privileges of publishing is helping authors capture a lifetime of experience. Rick has spent more than four decades leading, serving and building community, and this book is the culmination ofthatremarkablejourney.
Atitsheart,MoreThanJustChurchisabout purpose, hope and the possibility of achieving far more than we might imagine. Rick explores what can happen when individuals and communities commit to somethingbiggerthanthemselves.
We are delighted to share Rick's story, wisdom and perspective with you in this specialeditionofthePublishUMagazine.
MattBird
FounderofPublishU.com
MORETHANJUST ACHURCHSTORY
Interview wi author of Church.
Rick,tellusa
I was bor Melbourne, A downtowardsthecoastjustafter I got married, so I'm living closer totheoceanonwhatwecallPort Phillip Bay, or the puddle, as we call it in Melbourne. I'm the pastor of an independent church in Melbourne. I have been doing th
It's a very good question. I've beenworkingonthisbookfor20 years. The reason behind it all really was legacy. I was wanting to record what I think is quite a unique journey of our church. ever d you same child h runs ren in
Every church is different. Our church is not better than any church, but it's unique, and I wantedtorecordthatjourneyfor myself and, I guess, my family, my church, also maybe a wider audience of pastors and leaders and Christians who might be inspired to seek after God themselves.
What's the message you want to communicate through More ThanJustChurch?
The big message is that God is always enough and He's always more. I was very inspired by the Apostle Paul's writing in Ephesians, which is my favourite Bible book, I confess. In chapter 3, verses 20-21, it says that God isabletodoincrediblymorethan we can ask, think or imagine. Thatgrabbedme,thatcaptivated me early in my ministry. So I thought this, because I'm not smart enough to do everything. And I just think anything that we've achieved has been by the inspiration of the Spirit. So I wanted to build a book around God's incredible power to do more than we can think. It's not quite a memoir, but over 40 years, there's a lot of my life development. I was much younger when I started and God h
What's your one hope for the bookoftheimpactithas? has taught me and led me through that time. And so I tried tobeasopenandtransparentas Icouldandsharethestory.
I think I would love it to be a blessing and an inspiration to as many people as possible. It doesn't matter if I don't sell millions of copies or become a world-famousauthor.ButIwould liketothinkthatit'swrittenbyan Australian pastor about Australian churches, but even international churches might get inspired that God can do incredibly more. And if I could have one person tell me, “I read thatbookyouwrotein2025,ˮand how it's blessed them and blessedtheirchurch,Iwouldbea happyman.
There comes a moment for many people, sometimes quietly and sometimes persistently, when a thought begins to surface…Ihaveabookinme.
It may be a story you have lived, a lesson you have learned or a message you feel called to share, something that could encourage, guide or change the life of someoneelse.Andyet,formany,itremains unwritten, held back by doubt, uncertainty ornotknowingwheretobegin.
With the right structure, support and encouragement, what once felt overwhelming becomes achievable, even enjoyable.
That is why PublishU exists, to walk with you from idea to manuscript, from manuscript to book, and from book to opportunities.
“My book would have remained unwritten withoutthementoringand wisdom of Matt Bird. He is the midwife that broughtthisbooktobirth. I cannot commend his ‘Writing My Bookʼ course more.ˮ
MargaretWooding
Jones
“The Writing My Book course and support together with the accountability of our amazing cohort, have given me a framework, a timeline, and ultimately thefinishedmanuscriptof abookIʼdwantedtowrite foryears!ˮ
JimmyOrr
“The ‘Writing My Bookʼ course helped me to focus and to plan. It surprised me but bringing into focus who my book was for and how it was goingtohelpthem.Matt's step-by-step guidance and the support of the peer group were invaluable.ˮ
