Recommended Reads from the Pastors
Church Leadership/Mission
Reclaiming the “L” Word – Kelly Fryer
Fryer, a Lutheran pastor, theologian and teacher, makes a forceful case that the renewal we seek comes from getting back to the core values of our Lutheran tradition. Thought-provoking, challenging, and engaging, this book is born out of Fryer’s deep love for the church and her frustration with the decline and malaise present in so many places across the church. Highly recommended.
Reclaiming the “E” Word – Kelly Fryer
In this third volume of the “Reclaiming” series, Kelly Fryer lays out a compelling case for taking the word “evangelical” back from the Christian Right and claiming it as our core identity as Christians. Based in part on on-site research into fast-growing Lutheran congregations, this is a fascinating look at what evangelism really is and what really makes the difference between thriving and declining congregations. You’ll never think about evangelism the same way again.
Power Surge
– Mike Foss
Senior pastor of one of the largest ELCA congregations in the country, Mike Foss makes a powerful argument for the need for churches to stop obsessing about membership and start thinking about discipleship. Provides a good balance between transferable principles and concrete examples of how discipleship can transform the church.
The Great Permission: An Asset-Based Field
Guide For Congregations
“The optimist says the glass is half-full; the pessimist says the glass is half-empty; the person of faith says ‘My cup runneth over.’” This engaging little book uses a series of two-page readings to help people and organizations move beyond paralyzing neediness and to see the wonderful opportunities for ministry that God has placed before us. Practical, hands-on tips for focusing on and responding to God’s abundance, not our perceived lack. A must-read for every pastor, council member, committee chair and church leader.
Sacred Cows Make Gourmet Burgers – William M. Easum
With penetrating insight, church renewal specialist Bill Easum shows how an atmosphere of permission-giving can set people free in ministry and accomplish amazing things for Christ. The sacred cows of control and regulation are spitted, roasted and offered up on the altar of a freedom-embracing, life-changing, world-transforming church.
Dancing With Dinosaurs – William Easum
Easum takes on “the way we’ve always done it” with wit and insight, offering up a valid critique of church structures and practices.
Spirituality/Devotional
Loving Jesus
– Mark Allan Powell
In this biblical spirituality for today, Powell's earnest plea is for Christians to revisit their faith not by blazing in religious enthusiasm but by harboring a steadier flame and deeper commitment. Drawing on his wide knowledge of the Bible and Christian tradition, as well as insights from his own journey, he shows how simple religious practices move us beyond the old certitudes of a naîve and youthful faith into the less certain but more bracing terrain of a second naîveté, a closer walk with Jesus.
“If I could give one book to every
member of the congregation, this would be it.” – Pastor
“Amen.” – Pastor Kathy
Mere Christianity – C.S. Lewis
A modern Christian classic, Mere Christianity presents Lewis’s passionate and accessible explanation of the fundamentals of the Christian faith. Lewis identifies the common ground on which we can all stand, regardless of denomination.
The Screwtape Letters – C.S. Lewis
In this classic, Screwtape, a senior assistant to Satan, provides guidance to his nephew Wormwood, a novice tempter, in a series of letters. With wonderful satirical wit and clear vision of the human condition, Lewis uses Screwtape to examine both the realities of temptation and how we may overcome it.
The Devil’s Inbox – Barbara Laymon
Screwtape for the e-mail age. In this more modern survey of the Christian life, Barbara Laymon follows Lewis’ model to examine the temptations and struggles of a young woman trying to live the spiritual life in the electronic age. Funny and feeding at the same time.
Real Faith For Real Life: Living the Six Marks
of Discipleship – Mike Foss
Foss examines six time tested spiritual disciplines or “marks of discipleship” that are key to a vibrant spirituality: daily prayer, Bible reading, weekly worship, Christian service, generous giving, and spiritually-nurturing relationships. A practical field guide to growing as a disciple of Jesus.
Steadfast In Your Word: Daily Reflections From Martin Luther –
Barbara Owen, ed.
130 daily devotional readings from the writings of the great reformer, each coupled with a passage from scripture. Addresses such contemporary concerns as knowing God, finding faith, praying, hearing God, and living the Christian life. An excellent devotional resource.
Praying For Reform: Luther, Prayer and the
Christian Life – William R. Russell
A distinguished professor of church history, Russell examines Luther’s theology and spirituality of prayer through three of the great reformer’s best loved writings. Includes questions for personal reflection.
The Imitation of Christ – Thomas a Kempis
Acclaimed for almost six centuries as a classic examination of what it means to live the spiritual life in conformity to Christ. The Imitation of Christ is made up of 114 “chapters” (each one to two pages long) reflecting on concrete spiritual issues every Christian faces, each suitable for use as a daily devotional text. As insightful and relevant today as it was in 1418.
Wishful Thinking: A Theological ABC – Frederick Buechner
An absolutely delight look at the language of the human spiritual journey. Buechner (pronounced “BEEK-ner”) takes all that heavy churchly jargon and opens up the joy and life contained in those words with wit, humor and grace. Highly recommended.
Whistling in the Dark: An ABC Theologized– Frederick Buechner
The flip side of Wishful Thinking, this book looks at how God is present and active in the everyday language of our lives. A very thought-provoking look at the often-false distinction between “sacred” and “secular”. Highly recommended.
Peculiar Treasures: A Biblical Who’s Who – Frederick Buechner
Short, quirky, often hilarious mini-essays on 125 biblical personalities. You’ll never look at the heroes and villains of the Bible the same way again. Highly recommended.
“These three volumes from Buechner were a big part of my transition from faith as belief to faith as dynamic relationship with God.” – Pastor Bob
A Beginner’s Guide To Prayer – Richard J. Beckmen
An excellent introductory text on prayer. Covers different types of prayer, suggestions for prayer disciplines, and ways to learn from the treasured prayers of the Christian tradition. This book is a great way to begin a prayer discipline or to reinvigorate and broaden an existing discipline.
A Tree Full of Angels: Seeing the Holy in the Ordinary – Macrina Weiderkehr
Weiderkehr, a Roman Catholic sister, weaves together a beautiful message of hope and holiness found in our daily lives. She artfully lifts up the spiritual practice of lectio divina, or divine reading, and welcomes the reader into her personal struggles and faith insights. This is a beautiful book is perfect for anyone looking for a spiritual shot in the arm.
Psalms For Sojourners – James Limberg
Limberg, Professor Emeritus of Old Testament at Luther Seminary, draws on the various types of prayer found in the psalms and on experiences from modern life to help the reader see the relevance of the psalms for daily life. This book is a wonderful invitation to deepen one’s prayer life through a deeper encounter with Scripture and with God.
Spiritual Theology/Spiritual Care
Why Christian? For Those On
The Edge Of Faith – Douglas John Hall
In these dialogues with doubt, Douglas John Jall enters into an earnest search with a young inquirer—a composite of undergraduates, graduates, clergy, working people, his own children—who is on the edges of Christian faith. Half-familiar with superficial aspects of Christianity, hopeful of there being greater depth than found so far, she or he is curious, insistent, looking for something to believe in but not ready to leap without good reason. Such a person is asking, “Why be Christian?”
On Being Lutheran: Reflections on Church,
Theology and Faith – Timothy F. Lull
One of the most prolific and renowned Luther scholars of the 20th century, Lull offers a fresh and passionate perspective on how the key theological insights of the Lutheran tradition can provide the basis for an energetic life of faith. A great examination of what “being Lutheran” really means.
Life Together – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
German Lutheran pastor, teacher and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer presents a primer on how Christians can and should live together in community. Community, daily work, prayer and ministry are all presented as crucial parts of the Christian life. Written for his students at the underground seminary during the Nazi regime, this work still has much to teach us about living together as Jesus’ people.
To Begin Again – Rabbi Naomi Levy
Why did God let this happen? Where was God in the midst of my suffering? In this moving work, Naomi Levy, the first female rabbi to lead a Conservative Jewish congregation on the west coast tackles these tough questions. Sharing from her own life experience and those of her congregants, Levy reshapes and reframes our deepest questions of faith, offering hope, resurrection and life.
Lutheran Theology & History
Signs Of Belonging:
Luther’s Marks of the Church and the Christian Life – Mary E. Hinkle
Drawing on the writings of Martin Luther and the words of the New Testament, Hinkle helps us to find our place in the community that bears Christ’s name. A great examination of the wonderful gift of belonging that we find through the grace of God in our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Lutheran Handbook, vol. 1 & 2
Proof that faith can be fun! These little books are chock-full of useful and intriguing information on the church, the Bible, and the everyday life of faith, written in a style and with a humor that blows the dust off the dogma. Highlights include The Five Grossest Bible Stories, How to Share Your Faith With Someone, and How to Avoid Getting Burned at the Stake. (Plus important tips on what to do if getting burned at the stake is unavoidable.)
Luther the Reformer: The Story of the Man and
His Career – James M. Kittelson
Probably the best biography of Martin Luther available today. Kittelson covers Luther’s career and thought in depth but within a manageable length. Scholarly enough for seminary classes, but accessible to the average reader.
The European Reformations – Carter Lindberg
For those wanting
to understand the 16th century Reformations in greater depth. Lindberg
covers not only Luther, but also the Radical Reformers in
Scripture
Kingdom, Grace, Judgment: Paradox, Outrage and
Vindication in the Parables of Jesus – Robert
Farrar Capon
The perfect book for anyone who has ever been confused by the parables of Jesus, Kingdom, Grace, Judgment combines all three volumes of Capon’s trilogy in one volume. Capon examines the parables in all of their depth, humor and irony, finding in them both comfort and challenge for the life of faith today.
*Titles in red can be ordered at www.augsburgfortress.org, often at
a discount.