Augsburg Fortress

Preparing the Assembly's Worship: A Handbook for Worship Planning

Preparing the Assembly's Worship aids worship leaders in the short- and long-term preparation of worship in their congregation.

9798889833680

See Me, Believe Me: A Guide to Deepen Allyship with Congregational Leaders of Color

In See Me, Believe Me, Rev. Dr. Yolanda Denson-Byers offers an honest and unflinching look at the challenges faced by leaders of color in the predominantly white ELCA. Her insights and concrete suggestions for action illustrate how seeing and believing leaders of color are essential steps in the journey of allyship.  

9781506499963

ReEngaging ELCA Social Teaching on The Church in Society

Childs contextualizes this foundational statement, helping us think creatively about how we are called to be the church today. Grounded in scripture and Lutheran theology, he charts the history of Lutheran public witness, deftly connecting it with our present. How are we guided to speak today? Exploring this book will spark generative conversation.

Ashes to Action: Finding Myself at the Intersection of the Minneapolis Uprising

In Ashes to Action, Shari Seifert provides her riveting first-person account of the events following May 25, 2020. Shari joined others in the Calvary Lutheran Church community to show up, listen, and ask what was needed in the moment. 

9781506496788

Call to Allyship: Preparing Your Congregation for Leaders of Color

How can churches do the work of becoming allies for the leaders they call? Call to Allyship is a must-read for call committees, church councils, social justice teams, and anyone prepared to do the work of understanding, welcoming, and celebrating these leaders.

9781506497761

ReEngaging ELCA Social Teaching on Abortion

Riswold calls us to think together about the ELCA’s 1991 social statement on abortion. Our social, political, and legal context has changed drastically since this statement was written, but one thing remains the same: we as Lutherans are called to compassionate community. Riswold’s engaging prose invites readers into thoughtful conversation.

Scripture Out Loud!: Dramatic Readings for Lent and Easter

Looking for new ways to open up the readings for your congregation? Try this collection of twelve dramatic readings of Revised Common Lectionary texts that fall between Ash Wednesday...

9780806639642

The Gospel People Don't Want to Hear: Preaching Challenging Messages

Lisa Cressman, founder of Backstory Preaching, provides tools to craft difficult sermon messages that can be heard. Part 1 focuses on the preacher's preparation, the building of mutual trust with listeners, and the authority needed to proclaim the gospel with empathy, compassion, and skill. Part 2 focuses on the sermon itself with practical suggestions on what to say and how to say it.

9781506456393

Youth Ministry as Peace Education: Overcoming Silence, Transforming Violence

Youth Ministry as Peace Education offers clergy, students, and practitioners a new approach to youth ministry--to equip young people to transform violence and oppression as part of their Christian vocation. In this theologically robust and pedagogically innovative and tested resource, Elizabeth W. Corrie shows that youth, like all of us, are meant to work to establish God's shalom--peace, justice, and well-being--on earth as it is in heaven.

9781506469454

Christianity in Blue: How the Bible, History, Philosophy, and Theology Shape Progressive Identity

Christianity in Blue shows how liberal values and progressive attitudes are the fruits of taking seriously both the Bible and Christian tradition. But rather than treating these sources as the final word, Kaden argues that they are places to start exploring how to be a Christian in the world. Christianity in Blue helps both progressive and conservative Christians better understand the importance of the Bible, theology, history, and philosophy for building a loving church for everyone.

9781506471273

Jesus the Harmony: Gospel Sonnets for 366 Days

Author and poet Gracia Grindal has written 366 sonnets based on the life and ministry of Jesus to inspire meditation and reflection. Each poem entry is based on a specific biblical connection and relates to a holy day or season. The book's introduction provides historic background on Gospel harmonies, tells the story of how the author created the sonnets, and offers suggestions for using this unique devotional volume.

9781506464558

They Are Us, Second Edition: Lutherans and Immigration

By virtue of Lutheranism's identity in America as an immigrant church, Lutherans are specially placed to help lead conversations about immigration in the United States today. They Are Us explores the biblical, historical, theological, and cultural foundations for Lutheran participation in an issue with important implications for this nation. Based on professional experience and grounded in Christian faith, the authors make the case for immigration reform and call the church to a mission of evangelical hospitality.

9781506464213

Including Children in Worship: A Planning Guide for Congregations

Worship should be a place where both young and old feel welcome and know that they belong. Elizabeth Sandell gives convincing reasons for including children...

9780806625447

Preaching at the Crossroads: How the World—and Our Preaching—Is Changing

David Lose takes preachers on a tour of the major cultural influences of the last century, exploring how they offer opportunities to cultivate a more relevant faith in the twenty-first century.

9780800699734

A Spirituality for Doing Justice: Reflections for Congregation-based Organizers

Dennis Jacobsen brings his many years of experience doing congregation-based organizing for justice into conversation with unique spiritual reflections. Jacobsen turns to his work creating and meditating on icons to connect biblical themes and Christian personalities to guide those who are preparing for congregation-organizing and faith-based social action. His unique perspectives help anyone engaged in such work go deeper in prayer and devotion before diving into the messy work of organizing.

9781506464367

Made, Known, Loved: Developing LGBTQ-Inclusive Youth Ministry

Made, Known, Loved: Developing LGBTQ-Inclusive Youth Ministry builds on experience and wisdom developed through The Naming Project, a ministry created at the intersection of youth, faith, and LGBTQ identity. Ministry cofounder Ross Murray shows congregations how to examine their values and create a program that affirms LGBTQ youth in their faith and their identity, accepts and welcomes diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, and equips future leaders for the church and the LGBTQ community.

9781506468006

Called by God to Serve: Reflections for Church Leaders

Church councils and leadership groups will discover ten helpful devotional reflections and discussion starters for a three-year cycle, focusing on the task of...

9780806651729

The Bush Still Burns: How Spirituality and Organizing Transformed a Pastor and Congregation

In this compelling and practical volume, Terry Allen Moe describes how he and the congregation he served turned to the burning bush of deepened spirituality, coupled with hard-nosed organizing, to transform a community of faith and impact the local neighborhood in Portland, Oregon. It's timely inspiration for congregations struggling to find their way out of decline and the immobilization caused by fear and lack of creative leadership.

9781506468693

Where God Meets Man, 50th Anniversary Edition: Luther's Down-to-Earth Approach to the Gospel

The fundamental theme of this book is the "down-to-earth" character of Luther's theology in the hope that it will help individual Christians today to be both faithful to God and true to their human and social responsibilities. This 50th Anniversary Edition includes a preface by Marianna Forde and a new study guide by Bradley C. Jenson, created to encourage new readings and conversations about Forde's influential take on Luther, theology, and the church.

9781506468655

A Lay Preacher’s Guide: How to Craft a Faithful Sermon

In A Lay Preacher's Guide: How to Craft a Faithful Sermon, Karoline M. Lewis provides lay preachers with an essential and accessible guide to the basics of Sunday-morning preaching. In this go-to resource for lay preachers, Lewis lays out in a concise and clear format the steps to preaching a faithful sermon, a process that can be immediately applied to weekly sermon preparation.

9781506462738